Arborist Technician

West Columbia, City of•Public Works Department, SC

27d•Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, is responsible for performing a variety of semi-skilled, skilled and technical work in the care, maintenance, and management of the City’s trees and wooded areas, including pruning, removal, planting, cabling, bracing, and assessment of tree health. Responsible for identifying and managing tree diseases, structural issues, and pests common to the Midlands of SC area. Requires knowledge of arboricultural best practices, urban forestry, soil conditions, and safe work techniques. Works in partnership with other employees, departments/division, external entities, and the public in delivering effective services. Reports to the Superintendent of Parks and Beautification.

Requirements

Associates degree in Forestry, Environmental Science, Horticulture or related field and ten years of progressive experience in horticulture or nursery production with commercial landscape maintenance; or any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge, and abilities.
Must possess a valid SC driver's license.
Must be a certified pesticide applicator through Department of Pesticide Regulation for South Carolina.
Must be physically able to operate a variety of types of motor vehicles and equipment including sanitation equipment to load two-yard, four-yard, six-yard and eight-yard boxes of refuse onto trucks; utilizes shovel, rake, pitchfork, saws, weed eater, etc.
Must be physically able to exert up to fifty pounds of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.
Physical demands are in excess of sedentary work.
Must be able to lift and/or carry weights of approximately one hundred pounds.
Must be able to reach, stoop, climb, crawl, and crouch.
Requires the ability to compare and or judge the readily observable functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, or things.
Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes the giving of assignments and instructions to assistants. Includes the receiving of information and instructions from supervisor.
Requires the ability to read various documents and reports.
Requires the ability to communicate and interact with others with poise, voice control, and confidence.
Has the ability to apply rational systems such as sanitation and refuse systems, personnel, etc., in order to solve problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists; to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form.
Requires the ability to record and deliver information and to follow verbal and written instructions.
Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas; add and subtract totals; multiply and divide; and determine time and weight.
Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.
Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes in using various types of equipment.
Requires the ability to operate motor vehicles.
Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, control knobs, switches, etc.
Must have moderate levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.
Requires the ability to talk and/or hear (talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing - perceiving nature of sounds by ear.)
Possesses considerable knowledge of the principles and practices involved in landscape design, arboriculture, horticulture, and floriculture.
Working knowledge of landscape trees for the midlands of South Carolina region and urban tree species identification including the ability to visually perform insect/disease diagnoses.
Working knowledge of the methods, materials, and equipment used in urban landscaping and parks maintenance.
General knowledge of park construction including some general irrigation knowledge for project inspection.
Working knowledge of safety practices and procedures.
Possesses thorough knowledge of the operation, maintenance, adaptabilities, limitations and safety precautions of the equipment to which assignment is made.
Possesses considerable knowledge of safety practices and S.C. Highway Department laws and regulations.
Has working knowledge of maintenance procedures of vehicles operated.
Is able to perform manual labor and duties requiring good physical condition.
Is skilled in the operation of trucks and other automotive equipment under all types of weather conditions and is able to operate motor equipment safely and for extended periods of time.
Knows the general policies, rules, regulations and procedures established by the City and other regulatory agencies to govern assigned activities.
Is able to maintain control of assigned activities through the effective management of subordinates.
Is able to analyze problems that arise on the job and recommend solutions.
Is able to use judgment and discretion in carrying out assigned activities.
Is able to communicate effectively with a wide variety of groups.
Has the verbal ability to prepare effective and accurate required reports, and the mathematical ability to handle required calculations accurately and quickly.
Has the ability to work under adverse conditions relative to heat, cold, toxic agents, noise, vibrations, disease, machinery, electrical currents.
Has good technical and supervisory skills.

Nice To Haves

Creates landscape designs for beautification projects.

Responsibilities

Performs a variety of tasks related to the planning, maintenance, preservation, and removal of trees on city-owned properties, including parks, open spaces, and public right-of-way areas.
Prunes trees to promote health, safety, and structural integrity by removing dead, dying, wayward, or unsafe limbs.
Removes trees and stumps using the appropriate tree removal techniques, equipment, and apparatus.
Removed tree stumps using specialized equipment.
Utilizes climbing equipment or aerial lift truck to complete work.
Loads and transports trees, equipment, and supplies.
Evaluates tree health, structural integrity, and safety conditions; identifies hazard trees and recommends corrective actions.
Recognizes and identifies trees, tree diseases, and pests.
Completes visual inspections of trees and their canopy, plants trees, sprays or injects trees with fungicides, herbicides and pesticides; cultivates, mulches, and waters trees.
Recommends species selection and placement for new tree plantings based on environmental and urban forestry guidelines.
Performs data entry and prepares documentation and reports, including maintenance logs, work orders, safety inspections and corrective actions.
Applies pesticides and fertilizers as directed; operates water trucks, tractors, pumps, small engines, gasoline powered equipment and other specialized equipment.
Performs comprehensive tree health assessments and risk evaluations to determine vitality, structural integrity and the necessity for removal, for city property and for private property as requested by the city’s Code Compliance department.
Conducts pest and disease inspections; performs recordkeeping relative to arbor maintenance work; assists in planning and purchasing of tree and plant related supplies, materials and other specialized Parks and Beautification equipment.
Assists with landscape maintenance, restoration beautification and design efforts.
Assists with park maintenance as needed.
Supports the activities of the assigned team members by providing instruction and daily direction; completing and tracking related paperwork of assigned team members; may assist in the recruitment, evaluation, and/or training of team members.
Assists with reviewing and overseeing contractual and permitted work authorized by the City that impacts arbor and landscape assets.
Participates in inventory and mapping of trees in parks, rights-of-way, and city owned property.
Operates equipment used in the department such as pickup truck, tractor, rototiller, sod cutter, pruners, riding mower, hand mower, trimmer, sprayer, chainsaw, herbicide/pesticide applicators, tree spade, hand and power tools, etc. (woodchippers, stump grinders, hydraulic lifts, climbing equipment, aerial lift truck)
Maintains a safe working environment to include safety checks of equipment and minor maintenance activities on vehicles and equipment; working in traffic and congested areas, working in ditches and confined spaces and all work environments.
Operates and maintains equipment; ensures all equipment operators perform daily checkout of equipment; notifies Superintendent of Parks and Beautification Department of work requests and equipment problems.
Communicates with Superintendent, coworkers, members of the public, etc., in matters relative to parks and beautification of City maintained property.
Provides assistance as necessary in emergency situations and during after-hours or inclement weather conditions.
Assists in the cleaning and organization of shop area.
Assist with related special events to include ordering materials and setting up equipment.
Performs other appropriate duties as assigned.
Creates landscape designs for beautification projects.
Must be able to work in extreme heat or cold for extended period of time.