PARKS DIVISION ARBORIST - TECH I - City of Delaware

City of Delaware Job Description
PARKS DIVISION ARBORIST - TECH I
Incumbent: Vacant
Classification: Classified
FLSA Status: Non Exempt
Pay Range: Per AFSCME contract
Department: Public Works
Reports To: Parks Division Supervisor
Supervises/
Oversees:
Leads and directs the daily operational work of technical staff in the field
pertaining to arborist responsibilities.
NATURE OF WORK (narrative)
Under the immediate supervision of the Parks Division Supervisor and under the general supervision of
the Parks Superintendent, is responsible for the care and maintenance of trees and shrubs in the public
right-of-way, municipal building areas and parks facilities as well as all landscaping areas. This position
is subject to emergency call-outs and must be able to work overtime including nights, weekends, and
stand-by as required.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
1. Inspects, diagnoses, treats and maintains trees and shrubs in the public right-of-way, municipal
building areas, park facilities, and all landscaping areas.
2. Maintains landscaping in public right-of-way, on municipal properties and within park facilities.
3. Maintains daily activity reports with regard to both labor activities and materials utilized.
4. Operates and maintains vehicles and equipment necessary to complete the tasks of the position.
5. Assists in the overall maintenance of parks facilities and equipment, public right-of-ways, and
municipal building facilities to include turf maintenance, litter pick-up, athletic field preparation,
beautification of shelters and facilities, maintenance of play equipment, snow removal etc.
6. Ensures safety regulations and safe work practices are observed at job sites.
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK
• Assists with the installation/planting of new trees and shrubs; assists with the review of
development plans with regard to new tree installations; instructs other laborers in proper pruning
techniques.
• Assists with preparing orders for new trees/shrubs/landscaping items (flowers, mulch) and
material needs for maintenance (fertilizer, insecticides, etc.)
• Prunes, fertilizes and stakes healthy trees and shrubs for continued growth; applies sprays to
control disease and insect infestations, where required.
• Removes trees and shrubs as needed when they are no longer healthy and viable; loads debris
and refuse onto trucks to be hauled away for disposal; prunes dangerous trees as needed.
• Maintains records of all trees/shrubs located within the city on public properties.
• Maintains work order system for tree and shrub removals and coordinates the removals internally.
• Develops and assists in the delivery of public education related to tree/shrub care activities.
• Assists with setting project priorities, work orders, materials, staff, equipment and other resources
for timely completion of work assignments.
• Completes work orders, vehicle inspection forms, daily maintenance logs and other
documentation.
• Prepares and maintains records and reports including, but not limited to; work assignments,
material and equipment costs, safety sheets and preventative maintenance schedules.
• Notifies residents and businesses of work being performed, as needed, (when working in the
impacted area); responds to citizen inquiries, complaints and suggestions.
• Oversees and participates in the hauling, transporting, loading and unloading of various materials
and equipment associated with assigned projects.
• Responds to emergency situations or after-hours calls as needed; responds to and assists with
traffic control to remove downed trees in public right-of-ways.
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City of Delaware Job Description
SKILLS
• Performs other duties and special projects as assigned.
• Skilled in the use of heavy equipment, hand and power tools; including maintenance practices of
such equipment and tools.
KNOWLEDGE
• Knowledge in the fields of arboriculture, forestry, horticulture and landscape architecture.
• Knowledge of the care and proper use of tools and equipment used in the development and
maintenance of lawns, landscape beds, trees, irrigation system and general grounds owned by
the City.
• Knowledge of plant disease, insects, chemicals, and the proper methods used to control such
undesirable elements.
• Must be able to identify native and introduced tree and shrub species and have a working
knowledge of each species growth characteristics.
• Knowledge and ability to properly prune shade, evergreen and ornamental tree species and have
a working knowledge of tree wounds and compartmentalization.
• Knowledge and ability to use lowering techniques and devices as related to tree work.
• Knowledge of standard safety protocols in the performance of essential functions as well as City
policies regarding safe work practices.
• Knowledge of the hazards, safety rules and precautions involving use of equipment related to
arboriculture activities.
ABILITIES
• Ability to follow simple to complex oral and written instructions; ability to convey instructions to
others.
• Ability to understand simple roadmaps and City boundaries to establish ownership
responsibilities.
• Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations in order to calculate quantities, distances,
measures and weights.
• Ability to skillfully and safely operate all motor vehicles and related equipment required for the
completion of work assignments, in accordance with traffic laws, and to diagnose and resolve
equipment problems.
• Ability to prepare reports, including work orders, activity reports and maintenance logs.
• Ability to perform work in a safe manner and report unsafe activities, conditions, and faulty
equipment.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with fellow City staff, associates,
contractors and the general public.
• Ability to perform relatively heavy manual work for extended periods of time and ability to
withstand exposure to variable weather conditions.
• Ability to distinguish between different cleaning materials, fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides
with the ability to read and understand label information.
• Ability to diagnose, problem solve and determine how diseased trees and shrubs may be saved.
• Ability to assist with design and plan for future installations of trees, shrubs and landscaping.
• Ability to utilize necessary protective clothing and equipment to avoid potential dangers from
pesticides.
REQUIRED TRAINING, EXPERIENCE, AND QUALIFICATIONS
1. Any combination of training and experience which will indicate the possession of the skills,
knowledge and abilities listed above.
2. An example of an acceptable combination of experience includes sufficient education (high
school diploma or GED) in addition to some technical training or related coursework to ensure the
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City of Delaware Job Description
ability to read, write, perform basic math and, preferably four (4) years experience in the
arboriculture field.
3. Must be honest, dependable, and trustworthy.
4. Possession of a valid State of Ohio Motor Vehicle Commercial Drivers' License class B (class A
preferred), including tanker and air-brake endorsements, or the ability to obtain license within six
(6) month probationary period.
5. Must possess or obtain a commercial applicators license within six (6) month probationary period.
6. Possess an Arborist Certification or ability to obtain within twelve (12) months of date of hire.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS
1. The primary duties of this position are performed in an outdoor and include working in adverse
weather conditions, vehicular traffic and hazards involving the use of power tools and equipment
and exposure to hazardous chemicals.
2. Sufficient hearing ability, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee
to discern verbal instructions, emergency signals, vehicle back-up warnings and to communicate
with other employees and the general public.
3. Sufficient visual acuity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee
to comprehend written work instructions, technical documents and diagrams.
4. Sufficient manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the
employee to operate power equipment and hand tools.
5. Sufficient strength to lift and carry objects over fifty (50) pounds for varying distances.
6. Sufficient mobility, flexibility, stamina and balance to perform maintenance and repair operations
that require bending, stooping, kneeling, stretching, and other physical exertions. Work includes
multilimb coordination in climbing and working on ladders and moving over rough or unfamiliar
terrain.
7. Ability to perform relatively heavy manual work for extended periods of time and the ability to
withstand exposure to variable weather conditions.
The class specification which appears above is intended to be sufficient merely to identify the class and
be illustrative of the kinds of duties that may be assigned to the position allocated to the class and should
not be interpreted to describe all of the duties which may be required of employees holding a position
assigned to this class.
The City of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendment Act (ADAAA) the City of
Delaware will provide reasonable accommodations, upon reasonable request, to qualified individuals with
disabilities and encourages both prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential
accommodations with the employer.
Created: April, 2012
Revised:
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