NATURE OF WORK:
This is a skilled forestry worker in the maintenance of City trees and grounds. Work involves climbing and trimming trees, removing dead or diseased trees, stump grinding, planting and caring for trees as well as applying fertilizers, pesticides, and other horticultural agents for proper maintenance. Employees will be assigned tasks of similar or higher level classifications to gain experience and training in preparation for advancement. Safety equipment such as hard hats, safety glasses, reflective vests, gloves, earplugs, and protective clothing are worn. This position requires both scheduled and unscheduled overtime for emergencies and special projects, including weekends, evenings, and holidays.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (Specific assignment will include some or all of the following):
● Climbs and descends trees safely, determining tree limb strength using power and manual saws to remove low limbs and deadwood conforming to proper pruning procedures and standards while avoiding power lines. Ascends to the top of trees using an aerial tower.
● Plants, transplants, cultivates, fertilizes, waters, and prunes shrubs and trees; prunes shrubs using hand or electric pruners; prunes trees using hand pruner, hand saw, chain saw, or pole saw.
● Prepares soil by operating power or hand tools and equipment such as aerator, roller, rototiller, shovel, hoe, or rake; delivers soil, compost, wood chips, and other materials to worksite and shovels, rakes and levels materials; rakes and mulches leaves.
● Performs tree cable installation on trees with structural concerns;
● Performs tree planting; digs holes; removes grass, properly plants trees per industry standards; replaces dirt at stump sight; plants grass seed and removes chips; loads dump trucks with wood.
● Determines appropriate chemicals and amounts required to operate power sprayers to apply fertilizers or pesticides.
● May serve as lead worker engaged in trimming and removal of trees, stumps, broken, diseased, and damaged limbs or supervise seasonal employees performing their assigned duties, and performing other landscape maintenance duties; ensuring that proper safety precautions and procedures are followed.
● Responsible for snow plowing and snow removal from streets, sidewalks, parking lots and downtown areas that include irregular work hours with 24-hour availability.
● Drives truck or other City vehicles to and from worksite; loads and unloads equipment on truck. May be called into work in response to Public Works related emergencies.
● Performs other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF WORK:
● Must possess a high school diploma or GED.
● Must possess two (2) or more years of relatable forestry or horticultural work experience. College coursework in forestry or horticulture, ISA Arborist Certification and Tree Risk Assessment Qualification is preferred but not required.
● Must possess a valid Class A or B Commercial Driver’s License, a safe driving record, and must be willing to maintain it as a condition of employment.
● Must possess an Illinois Pesticide Operator’s License or the ability to obtain it within six (6) months of employment and be willing to maintain it as a condition of employment.
● Must be willing and able to obtain National Incident Management System (NIMS) ICS 100, 200, 700, and IS 800 Certification within 6 months of employment.
● Knowledge, skills, and abilities in the following areas:
○ Considerable knowledge of the materials, methods, tools, and equipment used in the care of trees.
○ Considerable knowledge of the hazards and precautions of the equipment and chemicals used in tree care operations.
○ Considerable knowledge of safety standards and precautions pertaining to the use of tools and equipment related to tree trimming, planting, and removals.
○ Considerable knowledge of tree and shrub identification, diseases and their proper treatments, insect infestations, and the proper use of pesticides.
○ Ability to lead other workers on parks and tree maintenance projects.
○ Ability to properly identify common tree species found in Illinois.
○ Ability to operate hand and power saws, other tree trimming and removal equipment, and trucks in a safe and effective manner.
○ Ability to read, understand, and apply instructions for the safe application of chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides.
○ Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, co-workers, and the public.
○ Ability to greet the public in a courteous and pleasant manner, and with a customer-service orientation.
○ Ability to utilize CMMS and other required City computer software.
○ Ability to identify trees with high-risk potentials and the proper means of mitigating these risks.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF WORK:
● Ability to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds frequently, and up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects; ability to move heavy objects (100 pounds or more) short distances.
● Ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions such as extreme cold, high winds, rain, snow, sleet, high temperatures, humidity, and other uncomfortable conditions.
● Ability to use all equipment and power tools required to perform assigned tasks efficiently.
● Ability to focus on small and distant objects, recognize the depth of objects, lift, bend, kneel, sit, or stand for long periods of time, work in confined spaces, and work outdoors at night with limited lighting.
● Ability to walk or navigate over rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces.
● Ability to work around chemicals, asphalt products, concrete, vehicle or equipment fumes, gasses, dust, and dirt while following safety guidelines.
● Ability to work on job sites with elevated noise levels and vibrations.
SUPERVISION:
Work is generally performed under the direction of a supervisor or lead worker. Assignments may vary from season to season. Instructions can be either verbal or written, and employee must make decisions regarding the safe cutting and dropping of trees in residential areas, or proper safety techniques for the safe application of chemicals. Work is reviewed through ongoing observation, written and verbal communication, meetings and feedback from supervisors and other department employees. Guidance is provided through rules and regulations, policies and procedures, Unified Work Rules, Union Contract, Personnel Rules and OSHA. Work is evaluated at least annually for the safe and skilled operation of equipment, quality of tasks, adherence to work rules, and performance in accordance with classification standards.
PUBLIC CONTACT:
The employee has contact with the general public in residential areas and with the public using parks and recreational areas to respond to questions and complaints and provide general direction; the employee has regular contact with other City employees in order to share information and complete work tasks.
SELECTION METHOD TYPE OF ELIGIBILITY LIST LIFE OF ELIGIBILITY LIST
Structured Oral Interview Two (2) Years
To apply for this position, please apply online at www.cityofevanston.org on or before the closing date.
Chosen candidates will be required to provide proof of licenses, certifications, and education required for this position. Candidates will also be subject to qualifying pre-employment processes, including medical examination, drug/alcohol screen, employment verification, and criminal background check.
The City of Evanston is an equal opportunity employer and ensures against discrimination in employment on the basis of a person’s race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, military discharge status, source of income, housing status, or gender identity. The City of Evanston is also committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. Any person needing mobility or communications access assistance should contact the Human Resources Office at (847) 448-8204 (voice) or 847-866-5095 (TTY).
