Tree Maintenance Aide (GH) - Forestry

WICHITA COMPANY LIMITED; Wichita (KS); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation days

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Long-term disability

Retirement plans

Flexible spending accounts

Job summary

City of Wichita is seeking a tree care worker to prune and remove trees along street rights-of-way, in City parks, and on other City properties. The job involves climbing trees, using saws, and handling debris with attention to safety under supervision.

Work hours are Monday–Friday, 7:00am–3:30pm. Applicants must meet safety knowledge, have a valid Kansas driver’s license, and be able to work without sponsorship; pre-employment physical and drug screening are required.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years of age or older.
• A valid Driver's License.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need of a sponsorship.
• Six months of experience in work involving the use of tools and equipment, such as chain saws and hauling equipment used in tree care activities.

Responsibilities

• Climbs trees using climbing ropes and safety belt; removes dead, broken, or superfluous branches with hand or power saws; seals tree wounds with a preservative.
• Removes dead and dangerous trees; grubs and pulls out stumps.
• Removes debris from tree pruning and tree removal operations.
• Other related duties may be assigned as needed.

Skills

Climb trees

Safety awareness

Communication

Teamwork

Education

18+ years

Valid Driver's License

US work authorization

Tools

Chain saws

Hauling equipment

Job description

The City of Wichita is NOT an E-Verify Employer.

Distinguishing Features of Work

This is manual work caring for trees along street rights-of-way, in City parks, and on other City properties. Specialized work pruning and removing trees and other semiskilled tasks related to the care of trees are performed. Work can be hazardous, and employees must use caution to avoid injury and damage to persons and property. Training, assignments, and instructions are received from a more experienced coworker and/or supervisor; and work is normally performed under close supervision.

The day and hours for this position

Monday-Friday 7:00am-3:30pm

Bargaining Unit

Service Employee's International (SEIU)

• Employees within the department or division shall be given first consideration
• Posting may close at any time

Examples of Work Performed

• Climbs trees, using climbing ropes and safety belt; removes dead, broken, or superfluous branches with hand or power saws; and seals tree wounds with a preservative.
• Removes dead and dangerous trees; grubs and pulls out stumps.
• Removes debris from tree pruning and tree removal operations.
• These examples are not intended to be all-inclusive.
• Other related duties may be assigned as needed.

Requirements of Work

• Some knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions of the work.
• Ability to start, operate, stop, and carry while positioned at a variety of angles and positions within a tree, a chain saw (snapped to a climber's saddle) that weighs up to 22 pounds.
• Ability to tolerate equipment and machinery noise with the use of ear plugs or other hearing protection
• Ability to lift 100% of body weight by end of probationary period in order to climb trees as the job requires (minimum of 70% is required at pre-employment FCE).
• Ability to knot, accurately throw, and climb a half-inch rope up to heights of twenty feet.
• Ability to operate a 26" hand saw.
• Ability to bend, squat, and twist as required to shovel soil from up to three feet below ground level.
• Ability to swing an ax accurately and effectively to chop at ground level.
• Ability to drag, pull, and carry up to 40 pounds of bulk as far as 50 feet and load same, using an ensilage or pitchfork, up to heights of eight feet.
• Ability to lift up to 150 pounds with assistance of another worker.
• Ability to use lawn rake and push broom.
• Ability to work outdoors when inclement weather conditions are present.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with associates and the public.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to acquire and maintain a valid Kansas driver's license.
• An employee shall not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.

Experience and Training

Required Experience And Training

• Must be at least 18 years of age or older.
• A valid Driver's License
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need of a sponsorship.

Preferred Experience And Training

• Six months of experience in work involving the use of tools and equipment, such as chain saws and hauling equipment used in tree care activities.

Offers of employment are contingent upon passing a pre-employment physical, which includes drug screening, and upon satisfactory evaluation of the results of a criminal record check.

Starting pay for current City employees will be determined by City of Wichita policy or applicable bargaining unit agreement.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws. Please find more information under the following links:
https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/fmlan.pdf
https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf
https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/eppac.pdf

CITY OF WICHITA

Full-time Employee Benefits

• VACATION - Most employees with less than five years employment earn 10 days of vacation per year. After five years, accrual rates increase at varying rates to varying maximums, depending on work schedule and/or union representation. Employees can accumulate and carry forward up to 240 hours each year.
• HOLIDAYS - There are eleven paid holidays. Employees also receive one Personal Holiday that is granted after the first six months of employment.
• SICK LEAVE - Sick leave accrual begins at one-half day per month. After five years, sick leave accruals are one work day per month. Employees can accumulate and carry forward all unused sick leave each year. Employees who use 24 hours (3 days) or less of sick leave in a calendar year earn a "Well Day." An additional "Well Day" can be earned following a year of perfect attendance.
• HEALTH INSURANCE – UMR / United Healthcare provides two levels of medical and prescription drug plans. Both medical plan are PPOs and do not require selecting a physician or referrals for specialty care. Both medical plans include Teladoc virtual care (primary care/mental health benefits at no charge), Dario healthy living programs, and VSP Vision benefits. Pre-tax premium deductions are offered. The City contributes 80% of the premium cost towards medical, prescription drug and vision insurance.
• DENTAL INSURANCE - Two Delta Dental plans are offered – Preferred and Traditional. The Delta Preferred plan requires using a dentist from a smaller network for a lower premium. The Delta Traditional plan allows use of any dentist, although benefits are higher using a dentist from the large Delta network. Benefits under both plans are the same (with the exception of some Orthodontic benefits) Pre-tax premium deductions are offered.
• LIFE INSURANCE – Low-cost voluntary term life insurance is available. Employees pay one-third of the cost. The amount of Basic Life coverage is two times annual pay up to a determined maximum amount. Dependent coverage is available at $20,000 spouse / $10,000 child(ren) for an additional $0.14 per pay period. Accidental death and dismemberment coverage is included. The plan is through MetLife.
• SUPPLEMENTAL LIFE – Additional voluntary employee-paid term life insurance is available from MetLife at low group rates. Participation in Basic Life is required. The Life Insurance plans are portable.
• LONG-TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE– The voluntary employee-paid group disability plan from MetLife provides 60% of pre-disability income for injury or health related disabilities. Premiums are determined by income and age.
• VOLUNTARY ACCIDENTAL DEATH & DISMEMBERMENT – Voluntary employee-paid AD&D from MetLife offers coverage for accidental death and dismemberment.
• RETIREMENT - The City offers two retirement plans - Wichita Employees (WER) Plan 3, and Commissioned Police & Fire Plan C-79. The WER plan is a defined contribution plan; Police & Fire is a defined benefit plan. Both are contributory - employees and the City share the cost.
• FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS – Employees may elect to make FSA pre-tax deductions for dependent care and/or unreimbursed medical expenses, reducing the cost of these expenses by eliminating taxes on the amount deducted.
• LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE – This plan from UNUM offers facility and home care benefits for employees, spouses, and some other family members. Several options for benefit amount and duration, and specific plan features, are available.
• MORE BENEFITS & SERVICES

Other Benefits

• Deferred Compensation Investment Program
• Employee Discounts and Wichita Employee Association (WEA)
• Bereavement Pay
• Employee Emergency Assistance Fund
• Voluntary Shared Leave Program
• Training Programs
• Longevity Pay
• Credit Union
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Injury Leave (on-job injury)
• Community Volunteer Events