Tree Maintenance Worker

TREE MAINTENANCE WORKER 1

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DEFINITION:

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Under direction, performs semi-skilled and manual work to assist

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in pruning, feeding, bracing, repairing, spraying, fertilizing, removing

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and transplanting trees and shrubs; learns to climb trees using a

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ladder, climbing hooks and belts, and other manual or mechanical

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equipment used to aid in performing tree maintenance tasks; when

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assigned to an electric utility unit, in accordance with state and federal

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regulations, learns and performs the above work primarily around power

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lines to minimize storm and short circuit hazards; does related work as

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required.

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NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes

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only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties

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listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the

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job may not be listed.

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EXAMPLES OF WORK:

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Learns how to climb trees using individual climbing gear; learns to remove

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dead or diseased limbs and to top trees; may work from vertical lift truck

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when conditions are unsafe to climb.

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Performs semi-skilled and manual work to assist

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in pruning, feeding, bracing, repairing, spraying, fertilizing, removing

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and transplanting trees and shrubs.

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Uses pole shears, saws, axes and other cutting tools to prune trees

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or remove dead limbs; operates, and feeds branches, into chipper.

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Cares for trees damaged by storm or disease by trimming, topping

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and/or removing damaged or hazardous limbs, following established

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industry guidelines.

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Scrapes decayed matter from cavities in trees using shovels or

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picks and fills holes with cement to promote healing and prevent

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further deterioration.

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Cuts down trees and cuts limbs to size using chain, or hand saws

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and other tools.

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Assists in installing guying and bracing to prevent wind damage

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and encourage correct growth.

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Uses ropes and rigging systems to safely remove tree branches.

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Bags and transplants trees and shrubs using burlap and shovel.

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May mix premeasured chemicals according to specific directions

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and spray and dust pesticides on shrubs and trees to control pests

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and diseases;

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Fertilizes trees to promote growth using appropriate method and

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equipment.

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Plants trees and shrubs by digging holes, setting, back-filling,

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watering and bracing.

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Operates chainsaws, motorized winches, stump grinders, chippers

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and various types of hand tools.

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Performs minor maintenance on equipment or tools used.

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May operate motor vehicles and light construction equipment

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on a limited basis.

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May mix premeasured chemicals according to specific directions

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and spray trees, shrubs, and plants, to control pests and disease.

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When assigned to an electric utility unit, learns to fell trees

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interfering with power service, using chainsaws.

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When assigned to an electric utility unit, learns to climb, trim, spray,

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top and cut down trees and limbs primarily around electric power lines.

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When assigned to an electric utility unit, learns to operate aerial truck,

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pole saw, chain saw, chippers, winches, stump grinders or other

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mechanized equipment as necessary for maintenance of utility

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properties and rights-of-way.

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When assigned to an electric utility unit, learns to use insulated stick

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or other approved personal protective equipment to remove limbs from

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power lines or energized equipment.

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When assigned to an electric utility unit, may apply herbicides to deter

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unwanted tree or vegetation growth, or weed killer to control vines, weeds

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or poison growth near electric power lines, poles or other infrastructure.

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Performs a variety of tasks such as planting grass seed, placing sod on

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areas, cutting brush, mowing grass, and loading and unloading refuse,

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removing snow, and so forth.

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Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or

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manual recording and computerized information systems used by

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the agency, office, or related units.

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REQUIREMENTS:

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NOTE: When assigned to an electric utility unit, incumbents must

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complete Appointing Authority administered training to learn to perform

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the functions of a Tree Climber, Electric Utility.

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LICENSE:

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Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in

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New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than

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employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties

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of the position.

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Appointees may be required to possess a valid Commercial

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Driver's License (CDL) and applicable endorsements for the

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class and type of vehicle being operated.

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NOTE: The responsibility for ensuring that employees possess

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the required motor vehicle license, commensurate with the class

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and type of vehicles they operate, rests with the Appointing Authority.

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NOTE: Appointees may be required to obtain a Pesticide

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Applicator Certification issued by the New Jersey Department

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of Environmental Protection.

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KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

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Knowledge of established industry standards for forestry methods

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and tree care, after a period of training.

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Knowledge of current NJDOT guidelines for traffic control when

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working in public rights-of-way, after a period of training.

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Knowledge of precautions and safe working practices involved in

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climbing, topping, and sawing limbs off trees, felling trees, lowering

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limbs and operating motorized hand equipment, after a period of

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training.

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Knowledge of the safety precautions used when working around high

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and low energized electric power lines when assigned to an electric

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utility unit, after a period of training.

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Ability to climb trees using a ladder, climbing hooks and belts,

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or other equipment.

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Ability learn and practice precautions used when climbing and working

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around high and low energized electric power lines when assigned to

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an electric utility unit.

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Ability to learn to use or operate a chain saw, stump grinders, chippers,

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handsaws, axes, wedges and other power and/or hand tools used to

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perform tree maintenance tasks.

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Ability to learn to tie various knots used in tree maintenance work.

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Ability to perform mechanical and manual operations.

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Ability to learn to set up routine rigging, hoists, blocks and tackle.

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Ability to lift, push, and pull heavy objects for short distances.

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Ability to observe safety precautions in climbing trees.

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Ability to work from heights in excess of 30 feet, suspended from

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climbing gear or in a lift truck.

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Ability to understand, remember, and carry out oral direction.

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Ability to learn quickly from oral instruction and from demonstrations.

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Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or

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manual recording and information systems used by the agency,

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office, or related units.

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Ability to read, write, understand and communicate in English

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sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign

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Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable

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forms of communication.

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Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long

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as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without

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reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be

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made because it would cause the employer undue hardship,

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such persons may not be eligible.