Arborist

GENERAL PURPOSE

Performs work required for the care, maintenance and development of trees, landscape beds, irrigation systems and general grounds of City owned property. Assist the Parks Operation Supervisor and Park Operations Coordinator with a variety of administrative, supervisory and semi-skilled tasks in the maintenance and operation of buildings, grounds, parks, open spaces, and recreation structures as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the general supervision of the Park Operations Coordinator and Park Operations Supervisor.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Supervises full-time, part-time, temporary employees and volunteers as required and in the absence of the Park Operations Supervisor.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist in managing and supervising assigned operations to achieve goals within available resources; plans and organizes workloads and staff assignments; trains, motivates and evaluates assigned staff; reviews progress and directs changes as needed.
• Assist in leadership and direction in the development of short- and long-range plans; gathers, interprets, and prepares data for studies, reports and recommendations; coordinates department activities with other departments and agencies as needed.
• Communicates official plans, policies and procedures to staff and the general public in assigned area of responsibility.
• Issues written and oral instructions; assigns duties and examines work for exactness, neatness, and conformance to policies and procedures.
• Provide professional advice on the identification, selection, ordering, planting, and maintenance of trees, shrubs, ground covers, and turf grasses on city property.
• Performs all required ground, climbing, and aerial lift duties in support of specific job assignments, as directed by designated supervisor.
• Assist in the performance of specialized pruning and take-downs, installing cabling and bracing of trees and large plants.
• Demonstrates sound tree risk assessment skills, equipment inspection skills, proper climbing techniques and procedures, rigging techniques, proper pruning and small removal skills.
• Knowledgeable in all facets of tree care including crane work, rigging, plant health care, pruning, removals, planting/ transplanting.
• Assists in the planting, pruning, watering and fertilizing of landscaping plants, flowers, shrubs, hedges and trees on city property, parks, right of ways, and in landscaping beds.
• Coordinate projects to ensure results are aesthetically pleasing by ensuring that suitable principles and practices of arboriculture are applied.
• Provides necessary supervision, direction, and assistance to crews at work sites.
• Enforces policies, regulations, and safety and health standards.
• Participates in all job site safety briefings.
• Determines, calculates and secures the appropriate materials and supplies for a specific project.
• Oversees various phases of arboricultural maintenance.
• Performs tree inventories and evaluations, tree removal, tree cabling and bracing, tree moving, tree root pruning and root barrier installation.
• Examines trees, shrubs and other landscaping plants to assess their condition, value or significance and determines appropriate treatment where required.
• Sprays to control disease and pests where required.
• Assures that tools and equipment are properly maintained and kept in proper working condition.
• Assist in the establishment and maintenance of "Tree City USA" designation through the Arbor Day Foundation.
• Coordinate an annual Arbor Day celebration for the City of Deer Park.
• Prepares and maintains daily, monthly, and annual reports and records as assigned.
• Responds to public inquiries; provides information within scope of knowledge and position.
• Operates tractors, mowers, stump grinders, welders, trucks, front end loaders, tree spade, power washers, and other listed equipment as needed.
• Learns, understands, and adheres to all safety rules and company safety policies
• Assist with addition job tasks as assigned be the Park Operations Coordinator and Park Operations Supervisor.

PERIPHERAL DUTIES

• Serves as a member of various employee committees, as assigned.
• Serves as a member of the Emergency Operations Team.
• Assists in setting up and taking down equipment for various programs, prepares facilities for park and recreation program use.
• Opens and closes, locks and unlocks facilities as needed.

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

• Graduation from high school or GED equivalent.
• Two (2) years of increasingly responsible experience in the management and maintenance of landscaping or forestry programs.
• Any equivalent combination or relevant education and experience.

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in horticulture, forestry, agronomy, parks and recreation, or a related field.
• Two (2) years of increasingly responsible experience in safe tree climbing and tree maintenance practices.
• Must possess International Society of Arboriculture Certification or the ability to obtain within one (1) year if employment.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Considerable knowledge of equipment, materials and supplies used in grounds, tree, and landscaping maintenance; Working knowledge of equipment and supplies used to do minor repairs; Working knowledge of first aid and applicable safety precautions.
• Ability to work independently and to complete daily activities according to work schedule; Ability to lift heavy objects, walk and stand for long periods of time, and to perform strenuous physical labor under adverse field conditions; Ability to communicate orally and in writing.
• Ability to use equipment and tools properly and safely; Ability to understand, follow and transmit written and oral instructions; Ability to establish effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, and the public.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Valid Texas Driver's License or ability to obtain one.
• An Herbicide applicator's license or ability to obtain one.
• Commercial Driver's License endorsements are desirable.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Pickup truck trailer; lawn and landscaping equipment, including tractors, mower, backhoe, track loafer, aerifier, chain saw, pole saw, edgers, weed trimmers, electric motors, pumps, sprinklers, irrigation systems; miscellaneous hand and power tools for turf maintenance, carpentry, painting, plumbing, electrical, and cement finishing work; swimming pool equipment including chlorination system pumps, boiler, valves, filtration devices, gauges, etc.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to walk; and use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works near or moving mechanical parts and in outside weather conditions. The employee frequently works in high, precarious places and is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and vibration. The employee is occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

SELECTION GUIDELINES

Formal application, rating of education experience; questionnaire; oral interview and reference check; job related tests may be required. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.