Tree Surgeon II

City of Gainesville•Gainesville, FL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This is skilled maintenance work in the care and maintenance of trees and foliage. Positions allocated to this classification report to a designated supervisor and work under limited supervision. Work in this class is distinguished from higher classes by its lack of supervisory responsibilities and from lower classes by its application of more comprehensive knowledge in tree care and maintenance.

Requirements

Graduation from high school or possession of an acceptable equivalency diploma and three years’ experience in the care and trimming of trees and in the use of related tools and equipment.
A CDL instructional permit may be required at the time of appointment and a CDL License may be required within six months of date of appointment (depending on job assignment and work location).
A CDL License may be required at the time of appointment (depending on job assignment and work location).
Thorough knowledge of methods, practices, equipment, tools, materials and supplies used in the care and trimming of trees.
Thorough knowledge of occupational hazards and safety precautions of the work.
Ability to oversee the work of semi-skilled workers, if required.
Ability to train subordinates in proper methods, procedures and practices of tree trimming and care.
Work requires physical strength and agility sufficient to safely perform all essential functions, including the ability to lift, kneel, push, pull and stoop while carrying a load of fifty (50) pounds without assistance.
Work requires use of personal protection equipment including hearing, eye, foot, hand and head protection.

Responsibilities

Climbs trees.
Removes dead, broken, misshapen and undesired branches using hand and power chain saws, hydraulic circular saws, wedges, mallets, axes and other tools.
Lowers removed portions to ground with ropes.
Removes over-hanging branches and split or broken limbs.
Performs trimming and pruning operations from a bucket truck.
Trims and prunes trees following pruning standards of the National Arborist Association.
Completely removes hazardous trees.
Trims and digs out protruding tree roots.
Operates woodchipper to dispose of tree limbs and branches.
Operates stump grinder.
Uses and maintains hand and power tools, ropes and safety equipment.
Drives and operates tree truck and clamshell truck.
Must respond to afterhours emergency callouts.
May perform field work under and/or near electrical service and high voltage lines.
Assures all appropriate safety procedures are followed on work sites.
Attends work on continuous and regular basis.
Participates in planting and transplanting of trees.
Sprays trees with fertilizer or chemical agents to control harmful insects and disease.
May oversee workers on a crew in supervisor’s absence.
May be required to transport, mix, handle or use hazardous materials (other than can of gasoline, batteries, pumping fuel or access to normal janitorial cleaning materials) or may be responsible for facilities or equipment carrying current, fluids or gas that could endanger the public or other employees.
May frequently chauffeur other employees, depending upon assignment and work location.
Performs other related duties as assigned.