Tree Care Specialist

Andover Public Schools; Andover (MA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

The Town of Andover is seeking skilled Tree Care Specialists to perform a range of forestry tasks in public spaces, parks and streets. You will operate heavy and light equipment, prune, fell and remove trees, and assist in composting and maintenance activities.

Responsibilities include equipment maintenance, hazardous-tree removal, pest control sprays, and emergency response. A High School diploma and valid licenses are required, with opportunities for advancement for Massachusetts Arborists.

Qualifications

• Duties require high school diploma; knowledge of motor equipment operation, related safety procedures and basic knowledge of forestry and tree-trimming activities; 1-3 years of related experience; or any equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Drug and Alcohol screening are a condition of employment.
• CDL and hoisting licenses or ability to obtain within six months are required, with Arborist designation advancing grade level.

Responsibilities

• Operate a hydraulic bucket hoist, wood chipper, stump grinder, boom flail mower, dump trucks and other equipment to trim, prune, fell and remove trees; eliminate tree hazards and maintain beauty.
• Assist with Bald Hill Composting Facility tasks including turning and screening compost and grinding brush.
• Perform routine maintenance and minor repairs on equipment; report malfunctions to supervisor.
• Spray insect and pest control solutions on trees; perform tree surgery and bark tracing.
• Remove dead, diseased or dangerous trees or limbs; respond to emergencies involving fallen trees.
• May perform duties for other divisions within the Department of Municipal Services and install/remove holiday lights.
• Respond to after-hour forestry, weather and other emergencies, including snow plowing/removal.
• Maintain records of work and ensure safety and clean work areas.

Skills

Tree trimming

Tree surgery

Equipment maintenance

Heavy equipment operation

Pesticide applications

Customer relations

Motor vehicle operation

Education

Class B Commercial Driver’s License

Class 1C, 2B and 4G Hoisting Licenses

Commercial Pesticide Applicators License

Massachusetts Certified Arborist (preferred)

High school diploma

Job description

Under supervision of the Working Foreman, perform skilled and semi-skilled operation of various sized equipment, motor vehicles and other hand and power tools and apparatus in the care, maintenance, trimming and/or removal of town trees; elimination of tree hazards; and the preservation of tree beauty on streets, in parks and other public locations. Perform all other related duties for the Forestry division within the Division of Public Works following established methods and procedures.

• Operate a variety of equipment and machinery, including hydraulic truck-mounted bucket hoist, wood chipper, stump grinder, boom flail mower, dump trucks and other heavy/light gasoline and diesel powered motorized equipment, spraying equipment, power and chain saws, and other power or hand tools to perform the following duties: trim, prune, fell and/or remove trees; eliminate tree hazards; salvage damaged or diseased trees; and maintain and preserve the beauty of trees on streets, in parks and other public locations.

• Assist with a variety of tasks at the Bald Hill Composting Facility, including turning compost piles; screening compost, loam & other materials; grinding brush; and other related tasks.
• Perform routine and/or preventative maintenance and minor repairs to equipment and vehicles. Notify supervisor of equipment malfunctions/disablements requiring more substantial maintenance efforts.
• Measure and mix insect and pest control solutions. Operate equipment to spray solutions on trees to eliminate insects, pests and fungi diseases. Perform tree surgery and bark tracing.
• Perform removal of dead, diseased or dangerous trees and/or limbs.
• Respond to emergency situations involving fallen or damaged trees.
• May operate other equipment and/or perform general labor duties for other divisions within the Department of Municipal Services.
• Perform installation and removal of holiday lights.
• Perform equipment operation and labor duties in accordance with applicable safety regulations.
• Respond to after-hour forestry, weather and other emergencies and operate snow plowing/removal equipment, including during nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Respond to occasional routine inquiries, requests and complaints from the public and others related to division operations within scope of authority and refer unresolved matters to supervisor.
• Use care at all times while operating motor vehicles, to avoid accidents and to conform to the rules of the road.

OTHER DUTIES

• Maintain established quality and quantity standards. Follow prescribed safety precautions, established department and Town policies, procedures, rules and regulations. Detect and report improper operations, faulty equipment, defective materials and unusual conditions. Maintain work areas and equipment in a clean, orderly, operational and safe condition.
• May be required to perform the duties of the Working Foreman in his/her absence.
• Maintain records of work performed, when requested.
• Perform related duties as required.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Knowledge of tree trimming, treatment, and surgery.

• Basic mechanical ability to perform maintenance and repair duties to a variety of motorized, hand or power equipment.
• Ability to maintain harmonious relations with the general public.
• Ability to safely operate a variety of heavy equipment under adverse operating/weather conditions.
• Ability to set up, maintain and operate various hand and power tools.
• Ability to work from heights and at times difficult work positions.
• Skill in the operation of various sizes and types of motor vehicles.
• Knowledge of forestry activities, pesticide and insecticide application.

Education and Experience

• Duties require high school diploma; knowledge of motor equipment operation, related safety procedures and basic knowledge of forestry and tree-trimming activities; 1-3 years of related experience; or any equivalent combination of education and experience. Class B Commercial Driver’s License required. Class 1C, 2B, & 4G Hoisting Licenses and Commercial Pesticide Applicators License are required, or the ability to obtain them within six months of employment. Designation as a Massachusetts Certified Arborist will result in one grade level higher.
• Please note: Drug and Alcohol screening are a condition of employment.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

• May be required to give work direction to seasonal help.

PHYSICAL ELEMENTS

• Frequent and extended periods of outside work, subject to all weather conditions and extremes.
• Continuous walking, standing and/or climbing; frequent periods requiring sustained uncomfortable physical positions.
• Duties require moderate, continuous physical effort such as frequent lifting and carrying of supplies of varying weights up to a maximum of 60 pounds, as well as pulling, pushing and holding objects of similar weight.
• Equipment operation may cause loud noise levels and high vibrations.
• Exercise caution when operating heavy equipment or handling toxic chemicals or other materials.

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Grade: W5: Tree Care Specialists (without MAA Certification); W6: Tree Care Arborist (with MAA Certification)

Standard Work Week: 40 hours

Job Code: 7046

Risk Code: 0106

The Town of Andover is an Affi Women, minorities, veterans, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The Town is committed to advancing its workforce culture of antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion.