Tree Climber

City of Newark; Newark (NJ); On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Newark is seeking workers to climb, prune, and remove trees around electric power-lines to minimize storm hazards. You may operate aerial lifts and a range of tools, including chainsaws and chippers, while following safety protocols and state regulations.

This is a hands-on role requiring physical endurance and teamwork. Experience with climbing gear and motorized tools is required; CDL may be needed for some assignments.

Qualifications

• Two years of experience climbing, trimming, topping, and cutting of trees around electric power-lines with climbing gear and various tools.
• Knowledge of safety precautions around high and low energized lines.
• Ability to read, write, and understand English and communicate effectively.

Responsibilities

• Climbs trees using climbing gear; may work from aerial lift for unsafe conditions.
• Prunes treetops and removes damaged or hazardous limbs following industry guidelines.
• Operates chainsaws, chippers, stump grinders, and other equipment to maintain utility rights‑of‑way.
• Digs holes, levels earth, and plants trees and shrubs during the season.
• Performs routine labor tasks such as loading/unloading and basic maintenance.

Skills

Safety awareness

Tree climbing

Rigging

Equipment operation

English communication

Tools

Chainsaw

Chippers

Stump grinders

Aerial lift

Hand tools

Job description

Under direction, climbs, trims, sprays, tops, and cuts down dead and diseased trees and limbs primarily from around electric power-lines to minimize storm and short-circuit hazards; does other related duties.

NOTE:

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative

purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform

all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties

performed on the job may not be listed.

EXAMPLES OF WORK:

Climbs trees using individual climbing gear such as saddle and rope;

may work from a vertical lift truck when conditions are unsafe to

climb or remove dead or diseased limbs or top trees.

Prunes treetops, using saws or pruning shears.

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

and/or removing damaged or hazardous limbs, following established

industry guidelines.

Uses insulated stick or other approved personal protective equipment

to remove limbs from power lines or energized equipment.

Fells trees interfering with power service, using chainsaws.

Operates aerial truck, pole saw, chain saw, chippers, winches,

stump grinders or other mechanized equipment as necessary for

maintenance of utility properties and rights-of way.

Cuts trees and limbs to size using chain saws or other hand tools to

prepare trees or limbs for removal.

Lowers limbs and tops of trees by rope or rigging system and by use of

ropes, chains, and blocks and tackle to safely remove parts from trees

without causing injury or damage to property.

Mixes premeasured chemicals according to specific directions, may

spray trees, shrubs, plants, in designated areas to control pests and

disease, or sprays foliage fertilizer to increase plant growth.

May apply herbicides to deter unwanted tree or vegetation growth, or

weed killer to control vines, weeds or poison growth near electric power

lines, poles or other infrastructure.

Digs holes using a variety of hand tools such as shovels or picks, and

levels earth with rakes to plant trees, plants, and shrubs during

season.

Performs a variety of unskilled laboring tasks such as loading or

unloading refuse, cutting grass, and feeding plants and trees.

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

manual recording and information systems used by the agency,

office, or related units.

REQUIREMENTS:

EXPERIENCE:

Two (2) years of experience climbing, trimming, topping, and

cutting of trees around electric power-lines involving the use of

climbing gear and the operation of various motorized and hand tools.

LICENSE:

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

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

mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.

NOTE:

Appointees may be required to possess a valid Commercial

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

type of vehicle being operated.

NOTE:

The responsibility for ensuring that employees possess the

required motor vehicle license, commensurate with the class and type

of vehicles they operate, rests with the Appointing Authority.

NOTE:

Appointees may be required to obtain a Pesticide Applicator

Certification iued by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of the safety precautions used when working around high

and low energized electric power-lines.

Knowledge of established industry standards for forestry methods and

tree care.

Knowledge of current NJDOT guidelines for traffic control when working

in public rights-of-way.

Knowledge of the techniques to distinguish exposed live parts from

other parts of electric equipment and determine the nominal voltage

of exposed live parts.

Knowledge of the safe clearance distances and the corresponding

voltages when working near unguarded, energized overhead lines.

Knowledge of common variety of trees and their structure.

Knowledge of safe working practices involved in climbing, topping,

and sawing limbs off trees, felling trees, lowering limbs, and operating

motorized hand equipment such as chain saws, chippers, stump grinders,

and/or other types of related equipment.

Knowledge of common knots, hitches, and rigging used for lowering

limbs and treetops.

Ability to climb trees using various climbing gear and to work from

heights in excess of 30 feet suspended from climbing gear and in

a lift truck.

Ability to observe proper safety precautions when climbing and working

at various heights around energized electric power-lines.

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

Ability to operate gasoline chain saws, chippers, stump grinders,

and/or other motorized hand equipment and tools in a safe manner.

Ability to perform routine mechanical and manual operations.

Ability to lift, pull, or push objects of various weights and sizes

for short distances.

Ability to observe safety precautions in climbing and working at

Ability to work harmoniously with coworkers and supervisors.

Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording

and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English

sufficiently to perform duties of this position. American Sign

Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of

communication.

Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long

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

reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be