TREE MAINTENANCE WORKER, CALTRANS

State of California•Sacramento, CA

27d•Onsite

About The Position

Climb trees in excess of 40 feet by means of ropes or spurs; use safety belt and other required rigging; trim or remove limbs and branches; use both power and handsaw and similar equipment; treat cut surfaces to protect from fungi and insects; lower cut limbs and branches by lines; occasionally fall and remove entire tree; plant, cultivate and irrigate trees; cut brush and weeds along the transportation facility right-of-way, and in state facilities; maintain and care for tree climbing and trimming equipment; perform traffic control; use aerial equipment and pneumatic and hydraulic tools; and operate brush chipper to remove cut vegetation from job site. Operate equipment assigned to or used by the crew requiring a Class C driver's license; and with proper licensing, will operate Category 1 or 2 equipment. Equipment Care: Servicing, minor repairs, adjustments, emergency repairs, cleaning of equipment and keeping all pertinent records. Record Keeping and Reporting: Crew report forms, pre and post-operative equipment checks, fuel purchases/usage, and material usage reports. Operates snow removal equipment and abrasive and salt spreading equipment. Directs traffic at chain control points. Works with roadside spray crew, applies chemicals for weed and pest control. Could also be assigned to any other support region function for short duration such as striping, stenciling, fence and guardrail, bridgework or landscape.

Requirements

Possession of a valid Class C driver license.
Nine months of experience in the California state service assigned to a tree maintenance crew, performing duties comparable in level to those of a Service Assistant (Maintenance). These duties include tree trimming and climbing work on trees of more than 40 feet in height.
One year of tree trimming experience. This experience must have included trimming of trees of more than 40 feet in height and climbing work.
Valid California Drivers License (CDL)
Pass a Drug Screening prior to being hired

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of: Various ropes, knots and splices used in tree trimming work; different cuts used for felling and limb removal; climbing, power tool and pesticide safety regulations and safety practices; appropriate rigging procedures; different types of climbing methods; pruning techniques; rope strengths in conjunction with wood weights; basic mathematics including addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; operation and service requirements of various types of specialized equipment; different types of wood in terms of ease or resistance to cuts; safe pesticide application techniques.
Ability to: Climb trees in excess of 40 feet in height by means of belts, spurs and ropes; perform tree trimming tasks at considerable heights above the ground; coordinate body movements with tasks to be performed; select and apply knowledge appropriate to job tasks; follow basic safety procedures for pesticide use; do the necessary rigging and tying of the various knots used in tree trimming work; follow instructions and location directions; learn new methods and techniques; make independent decisions; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships; communicate at a level required to perform the essential functions of the job.
Ability to recognize potential hazards; operate heavy equipment; plan and direct the work of others; evaluate the daily work performance of others; follow safe pesticide application procedures.

Responsibilities

Climb trees in excess of 40 feet by means of ropes or spurs
Use safety belt and other required rigging
Trim or remove limbs and branches
Use both power and handsaw and similar equipment
Treat cut surfaces to protect from fungi and insects
Lower cut limbs and branches by lines
Occasionally fall and remove entire tree
Plant, cultivate and irrigate trees
Cut brush and weeds along the transportation facility right-of-way, and in state facilities
Maintain and care for tree climbing and trimming equipment
Perform traffic control
Use aerial equipment and pneumatic and hydraulic tools
Operate brush chipper to remove cut vegetation from job site
Operate equipment assigned to or used by the crew requiring a Class C driver's license
Operate Category 1 or 2 equipment with proper licensing
Servicing, minor repairs, adjustments, emergency repairs, cleaning of equipment and keeping all pertinent records
Crew report forms, pre and post-operative equipment checks, fuel purchases/usage, and material usage reports
Operates snow removal equipment and abrasive and salt spreading equipment
Directs traffic at chain control points
Works with roadside spray crew, applies chemicals for weed and pest control
Assigned to any other support region function for short duration such as striping, stenciling, fence and guardrail, bridgework or landscape