Transportation Maintainer 3 (Skilled Tree Climber)

State of Connecticut - DOT Bureau of Highway Operations; Waterbury (CT); On-site; USD 52,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Connecticut Department of Transportation is seeking a Transportation Maintainer 3 (Skilled Tree Climber) for District 4 at the Waterbury Maintenance Garage. This on-site role focuses on keeping roads safe by maintaining trees and clear zones.

Responsibilities include removing hazards, trimming limbs for visibility, and operating equipment such as chainsaws and bucket trucks; winter weather duties and emergency responses are required.

Qualifications

• Two years of experience in maintenance and repair of roadsides, roadways, bridges or airports.
• Diploma from a vocational/technical school may substitute for the General Experience.
• Preferred: tree-related maintenance experience.
• Preferred: ability to climb trees using ropes and harnesses.
• Preferred: ability to identify tree species and assess hazards.

Responsibilities

• Perform tree and roadside maintenance to ensure safety and clear travel zones within District 4.
• Operate chainsaws, bucket trucks, and climbing gear; assist with snow/ice removal and storm cleanup.

Skills

Tree maintenance

Tree climbing

Hazard assessment

Equipment operation

Safety procedures

Education

Vocational/technical school diploma

Tools

Bucket truck operation

Fall protection certification

Job description

Introduction

The State of Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT), invites its experienced agency employees to apply for the position of Transportation Maintainer 3 (Skilled Tree Climber) located within District 4 at the Waterbury Maintenance Garage.

Benefits

• Our State Employee Benefits Overview page!
• Professional growth and development opportunities.
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees.
• Working for an award winning agency! CTDOT was recently awarded the Employer of the Year award by the Connecticut Society of Civil Engineers (CSCE) and named the Women's Transportation Seminar (WTS) CT Employer of the Year for 2024!

Position Highlights

• Monday - Friday
• Full Time, 40 hours per week
• First Shift, 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM
• Location: Waterbury Maintenance Garage
• This is an on-site position

Role

The purpose of this position is to perform tree and roadside maintenance to ensure safety and clear travel zone within the District 4 area. Responsibilities include removing hazardous trees, trimming limbs and brush for visibility, assessing tree hazards, and operating equipment such as chainsaws, bucket trucks, and climbing gear. The role also supports snow and ice removal, storm cleanup, pothole patching, guardrail repairs, and may respond to traffic incidents.

Requirements

• Incumbents in this class are required to possess and maintain a current CDL Class A or B with tank endorsement, as well as a valid Medical Examiner's Card (MEC).
• Incumbents in this class must be willing to accept assignment to emergency duties, including snow and ice removal, whenever his or her services are needed; to include mandatory winter overtime from November 1 through April 30. Various storm events will require employees to stay at work for the duration of the storm, which at times could be up to a period of several days, including holidays and weekends.
• Incumbents in this class will be required to have a 30-mile residency from the posted job location.
• Prior to being eligible for interview and the skill evaluation practicum, applicants must be certified through the Department in aerial bucket truck operation and fall protection, which includes the use of a safety harness and trauma strap.
• Eligible candidates must complete an interview before participating in the skill evaluation practicum. The Agency will conduct a practicum, in accordance with Department of Transportation Administrative Guidelines, to assess whether applicants possess the necessary skills for the position. The practicum is part of the interview process.
• View the Tree Climber Maintainer Practicum Study Guide.
• Candidates invited to interview must bring a completed Employment of Relatives Form, an Acknowledgement of Ethics Receipt, a valid CDL Class A or B with tank endorsement, and a valid Medical Examiner's Card (MEC).

About Us

As one of Connecticut’s largest State agencies, DOT employs approximately 3,300 individuals statewide in five bureaus. CTDOT is guided by its mission to improve lives through transportation. Our infrastructure and transit systems are essential to the safety and mobility of Connecticut residents, and our work strengthens both economic and community development. CTDOT is committed to fostering a workforce that reflects the communities it serves, and individuals with broad-ranging backgrounds and life experiences are encouraged to apply. Learn more about our mission, vision, and values!

Purpose of Job Class (Nature of Work)

In the Department of Transportation and the Connecticut Airport Authority this class is accountable for performing a variety of skilled tasks at less than the journeyperson level in the construction, maintenance and repair of state roadsides, roadways, bridges, airports and other departmental facilities; operates and maintains the more complex mechanical equipment; works as a skilled mechanic at less than the journeyperson level in the repair of mechanical equipment.

Examples of Duties

See attached addendum.

Knowledge, Skill and Ability

• Considerable knowledge of construction, maintenance and repair techniques of roadsides, roadways, bridges or airports;
• Knowledge of processes and materials used in construction and maintenance trades;
• Oral and written communication skills;
• Considerable ability to use and make ordinary repairs to more complex mechanical equipment;
• Ability to
• operate equipment as listed on attached Addendum;
• keep shop records and prepare reports;
• use, set up and maintain ordinary bench and other shop machine tools and equipment;
• understand and follow written and oral instructions;
• utilize computer software.

Minimum Qualifications - General Experience

Two (2) years of experience in the construction, landscaping, commercial driving, snow plowing, maintenance and repair of roadsides, roadways, bridges or airports, in work involving the operation and care of mechanical equipment, or in work in one of the recognized maintenance trades.

Minimum Qualifications - Substitutions Allowed

Graduation from a vocational or technical school with a diploma designating completion of the subject requirements in one of the maintenance trades may be substituted for the General Experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience performing tree-related maintenance.
• Experience climbing trees using ropes, harnesses, and other climbing equipment.
• Experience identifying tree species and assessing tree hazards.

Special Requirements

• Incumbents in this class may be required by the appointing authority to possess and retain appropriate current licenses, permits and/or certifications.
• Incumbents in this class must be willing to accept assignment to emergency duties, including snow and ice removal, whenever their services are required.

Character Requirements

At state airports: In addition to the checking of references and of facts stated in the application, a thorough background investigation of each candidate may be made before persons are certified for appointment.

Physical Requirements

• Incumbents in this class must have adequate physical strength, stamina, physical agility and visual and auditory acuity, and must maintain such physical fitness in order to perform the duties of the class.
• A physical examination will be required.

Working Conditions

• Incumbents in this class are exposed to extremes of weather conditions, to frequent lifting of heavy weights, to highly dangerous road and traffic conditions, including exposure to heights when working on bridges, to poison ivy, insect bites and allergy irritants during summer months, and to loud and potentially dangerous machinery.
• The appointing authority may require completion of an asbestos removal program consistent with EPA guidelines for operations and maintenance during employment in this class. Incumbents may be required to use protective equipment such as respirators and safety goggles.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

Acknowledgement

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.