Tree Technician

At The City of Frederick, we value diversity and the respect, engagement, and productivity an inclusive environment produces. We seek to consistently improve internal and external customer satisfaction, innovate, and expand capability of services, and be a government that practices equality, equity, and fairness. We invite you to bring your skills, abilities, and knowledge to The City of Frederick and be a valued addition to a workforce that we know is our greatest asset.    Frederick is a progressive, richly diverse, and authentically charming city. Recognized as one of the best places to live in Maryland, Frederick is surrounded by mountain views and centrally located about 45 miles north of Washington D.C. and 45 miles west of Baltimore, MD.     JOB SUMMARY:  The Tree Technician III-IV performs general and increasingly skilled tree maintenance and care involving moderate responsibility, complexity, and variety.  Under the general supervision of the Arborist, and using sophisticated rigging techniques, the jobholder prunes away dead or excess branches from trees or shrubs to maintain proper clearance of the right-of-way for roads, sidewalks, or utilities, or to improve appearance, health, structure, and value of trees on public properties, City parks, and around public buildings in The City of Frederick.  Prunes or trims trees or shrubs using  a variety of saws and other tools, both power and hand; clears limbs from signs, street lights and overhead lines; operates hydraulic lift bucket; removes stumps; chips brush; cuts and removes roots; removes diseased, standing or fallen trees; performs Integrated Pest Management operations through injections, spray, fertilization, and air spading; plants, transplants, stakes, ties and fertilizes a variety of street and shade trees; performs after hours emergency work.  The jobholder is an essential employee meaning they are responsible for providing services that are critical functions required to maintain order, peace, safety, and the well-being of residents and visitors to The City of Frederick in the event of a critical incident.  As such, the jobholder will be required to respond to emergencies as needed throughout the Department of Public Works when directed to do so.   TREE TECHNICIAN III $26.54 per hour   ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: * Maintains, trims, transplants and removes trees. * Operates 75-foot aerial bucket truck to perform tree maintenance activities. * Prunes trees using safety equipment and tools, to eliminate hazards and preserve tree health. * Fells dead or dangerous trees using chain saws, ropes and aerial bucket truck. * Sharpens chain saw chains with a hand file and performs minor field repairs. * Conducts visual inspections of trees along right of way, parks, alleys, and other public properties to determine corrective action necessary to alleviate any problems. * Implements traffic control measures at job sites, including sign placement, traffic control arrow-board and coning. * Assists in investigating work requests and makes recommendations regarding the type of work to be performed. * Operates and feeds the chipper and enforces safety rules. * Operates power driven machinery such as a chain saw, hydraulic pruning equipment, gasoline powered hedge trimmer, stump grinder or other similarly sized equipment. * Cleans debris from tree trimming or removal operations using a shovel, rake or other tools. * Responds to questions and concerns from the public; provides information as appropriate and resolves complaints. * Tracks daily assignments and keeps supervisor up to date on work tasks. * Performs data entry of work orders and maintenance on TreeKeeper software. * Responds to emergencies and inclement weather conditions as required. * Operates a motor vehicle on a regular basis observing legal and defensive driving practices. * Performs other duties as assigned.   SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:  * Performs supervisory responsibilities (occasionally) when immediate supervisor is absent.   * Assigns work, trains and oversees work of employees, addressing complaints and resolving problems.   QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.   REQUIRED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE: * High school diploma or General Education Degree (GED). * Three (3) years of related experience and/or training in tree care and trimming or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.    REQUIRED CERTIFICATES AND/OR LICENSES: * A valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL - Class B) or equivalent in good standing. The employee must maintain the license for the duration of their employment. * State of Maryland Roadside Tree Care Certification or the ability to obtain within one year of employment. The employee must maintain for the duration of their employment. * Certified Tree Worker - Aerial Lift Specialist or the ability to obtain within one year of employment. The employee must maintain for the duration of their employment. * Valid Pesticide Applicators I.D. or the ability to obtain within 30 days of employment. The employee must maintain for the duration of their employment.   REQUIRED SKILLS (Communication/Language; Mathematical; Computer; etc.): * Knowledge of performing landscaping tasks, including planting, transplanting, pruning and removal of a variety of trees and shrubs. * Must be familiar with local tree species, standards for tree maintenance and removal (e.g., OSHA, MOSH and ANSI), tree care safety and specialized equipment and vehicles * Knowledge of setting up and removing barricades, traffic cones, or similar objects for work zones. * Ability to communicate orally in the English language with customers, clients or the public in a face-to-face, one-on-one setting. * Ability to comprehend and make inferences from written material. * Ability to work in small, cramped areas. * Ability to work in precarious positions at considerable heights generally ranging from 30 to 75 feet. * Ability to learn job-related material primarily through oral instruction and observation (This learning takes place mainly in an on-the- job training setting). * Ability to work cooperatively with the public and other employees. * Ability to work safely without presenting a direct threat to self or others. * Ability to work in a variety of weather conditions with exposure to the elements. * Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. * Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals, and technical reports. * Ability to use basic computer functions in Microsoft Word and Outlook to write routine reports and correspondence.   OTHER DESIRABLES: * State of Maryland Registered Pesticide Applicator Certification in one of the following categories:    3A (Ornamental Exterior); 6 (Right of Way). * Tree Care Industry Association Line Clearance Certified or equivalent. * MDOT Temporary Traffic Control Manager Certification. TREE TECHNICIAN IV $28.53 per hour   ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: * Maintains, trims, transplants and removes trees. * Operates 75-foot aerial bucket truck to perform tree maintenance activities. * Prunes trees using safety equipment and tools, to eliminate hazards and preserve tree health. * Fells dead or dangerous trees using chain saws, ropes and aerial bucket truck. * Sharpens chain saw chains with a hand file and performs minor field repairs. * Conducts visual inspections of trees along right of way, parks, alleys, and other public properties to determine corrective action necessary to alleviate any problems. * Implements traffic control measures at job sites, including sign placement, traffic control arrow-board and coning. * Assists in investigating work requests and makes recommendations regarding the type of work to be performed. * Operates and feeds the chipper and enforces safety rules. * Operates power driven machinery such as a chain saw, hydraulic pruning equipment, gasoline powered hedge trimmer, stump grinder or other similarly sized equipment. * Cleans debris from tree trimming or removal operations using a shovel, rake or other tools. * Responds to questions and concerns from the public; provides information as appropriate and resolves complaints. * Tracks daily assignments and keeps supervisor up to date on work tasks. * Performs data entry of work orders and maintenance on TreeKeeper software. * Responds to emergencies and inclement weather conditions as required. * Operates a motor vehicle on a regular basis observing legal and defensive driving practices. * Performs other duties as assigned.   SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:  * Performs supervisory responsibilities (occasionally) when immediate supervisor is absent.   * Assigns work, trains and oversees work of employees, addressing complaints and resolving problems   QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.   REQUIRED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE: * High school diploma or General Education Degree (GED). * Four (4) years of related experience and/or training in tree care and trimming or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.    REQUIRED CERTIFICATES AND/OR LICENSES: * A valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL - Class B) or equivalent in good standing. The employee must maintain the license for the duration of their employment. * State of Maryland Roadside Tree Care Certification or within one year of employment. The employee must maintain for the duration of their employment. * Certified Tree Worker - Aerial Lift Specialist. The employee must maintain for the duration of their employment. * State of Maryland Registered Pesticide Applicator Certification in one of the following categories:    3A (Ornamental Exterior); 6 (Right of Way). The employee must maintain for the duration of their employment. * MDOT Temporary Traffic Control Manager Certification within one year of employment. The employee must maintain for the duration of their employment.   REQUIRED SKILLS (Communication/Language; Mathematical; Computer; etc.): * Knowledge of performing landscaping tasks, including planting, transplanting, pruning and removal of a variety of trees and shrubs. * Must be familiar with local tree species, standards for tree maintenance and removal (e.g., OSHA, MOSH and ANSI), tree care safety and specialized equipment and vehicles * Knowledge of setting up and removing barricades, traffic cones, or similar objects for work zones. * Ability to communicate orally in the English language with customers, clients or the public in a face-to-face, one-on-one setting. * Ability to comprehend and make inferences from written material. * Ability to work in small, cramped areas. * Ability to work in precarious positions at considerable heights generally ranging from 30 to 75 feet. * Ability to learn job-related material primarily through oral instruction and observation (This learning takes place mainly in an on-the- job training setting). * Ability to work cooperatively with the public and other employees. * Ability to work safely without presenting a direct threat to self or others. * Ability to work in a variety of weather conditions with exposure to the elements. * Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. * Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals, and technical reports. * Ability to use basic computer functions in Microsoft Word and Outlook to write routine reports and correspondence.     OTHER DESIRABLES: * Tree Care Industry Association Line Clearance Certified or equivalent. * Tree Care Industry Association Chainsaw Safety Certification or equivalent. * Certified Arborist by the International Society of Arboriculture. * State of Maryland DNR Licensed Tree Expert.     PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.   Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.   The employee frequently is required to move about on foot to accomplish tasks; remain in a stationary position; use hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.  The employee is regularly required to remain in a stationary position for long periods of time and to traverse uneven outdoor areas, performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving one's whole body to climb, lift, balance, walk, twist, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, handling of materials. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.    This individual must be able to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word, including activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, and/or quickly.   The worker is required to have the visual acuity necessary for normal visual inspection (with or without correction); including close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.  The worker must have the ability to perceive the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction and have the ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make the discriminations in sound. The worker is required to listen to and understand information and ideas presented in the English language through spoken word and sentences. This individual must have the ability to recognize there is a problem. The worker is required to identify information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. This individual must have the ability to coordinate two or more limbs while remaining in a stationary position or standing.     WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITION: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.   Work is normally performed in an outdoor setting with exposure to weather conditions such as extreme heat and cold as well as inclement weather conditions, e.g., rain, snow, ice, etc. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes and airborne particles, toxic and caustic chemicals, vibrations, and insects/wildlife. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.  

Created: 2024-10-22