TREE SPECIALIST

Town-of-West-Springfiel; West Springfield (MA); On-site; USD 47,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Town-of-West-Springfiel seeks a skilled forestry worker to manage tree removal, trimming and maintenance within municipal properties. The role requires climbing, operating aerial lifts and heavy equipment, and ensuring safety procedures while protecting utilities and public spaces.

Responsibilities include planting and transplanting trees, maintaining tools, and performing labor tasks as needed; the position demands physical fitness, reliability, and compliance with town regulations.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent plus two years of related training or experience.
• Two years' experience operating heavy automotive equipment or equivalent.
• Valid Commercial Driver's License Class B with air brakes; hazmat and tanker endorsements preferred.

Responsibilities

• Remove dead, diseased, dying, broken, and interfering branches using aerial lift, ropes and ladders.
• Operate skyworkers, log splitters, chippers and related equipment.
• Trim trees for clearance of overhead utilities, street lights, signs and traffic.
• Assist in planting, cultivating, transplanting and removal of trees and shrubs.
• Maintain and repair tools and equipment.
• Perform tasks normally assigned to a laborer or skilled laborer.

Skills

Arboriculture knowledge

Horticulture knowledge

Equipment operation

Safety awareness

Municipal grounds knowledge

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Two years of vocational training or related education

Heavy equipment operation experience

Tools

Aerial lift

Chippers

Skyworkers

Rigging equipment

Log splitters

Job description

Responsibilities

• Climbs trees using aerial lift, ropes, and ladders; removesdead, diseased, dying, broken and interfering branches, and lowers them to the ground with ropes and other rigging equipment.
• Operates skyworkers, log splitters, chippers and related medium and heavy duty forestry construction and maintenance equipment
• Trims trees for clearance of overhead utility facilities, street lights, signs, vehicular and pedestrian traffic
• Assists in planting, cultivating, transplanting and the removal of trees, shrubs and growth
• Maintains and makes minor repairs to tools and other equipment
• Performs tasks normally assigned to a laborer and/or skilled laborer.

Education and Experience

Work requires a high school graduate or equivalent plus two years of training at an accredited school or on-the-job equivalent, two years experience in the operation of heavy automotive equipment or the equivalent combination of education and expertise to perform the essential functions of this position.

Special Requirements

Possession of a valid Commercial Driver’s License Class B with the proper endorsements: air brakes, hazmat and tanker required. Class 2A/1C Hoisting Engineers license preferred

Knowledge, Abilities, and Skill

Working knowledge of horticulture and arboriculture; working knowledge of the maintenance of municipal grounds; working knowledge of the operation, care and minor maintenance and adjustment of light, heavy and special motor equipment used in tree removal and pruning; working knowledge of hazards and safety precautions involved in operation of special motor equipment.

Physical Requirements

The requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the position’s primary function.

Physical Demands

Work requires agility and physical strength, such as moving in or about construction sites or over rough terrain, or standing or walking most of the work period. Must be able to work in an environment subject to continuous interruptions and background noises; climb onto ladders, platforms, and equipment; work in all weather conditions; operate equipment requiring hand and eye coordination and mechanical aptitude; access and negotiate difficult places and varied terrain; lift and carry objects weighing up to 50 pounds; work independently with minimal supervision.

Motor Skills

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to use arms, hands and fingers to: handle, reach and feel objects; operate tools and controls. Able to walk, sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and smell while performing, supervising or inspecting work, including construction projects often on uneven ground. Able to engage in frequent walking, bending, standing, squatting, climbing and occasional sustained physical effort.

Visual Demands

Position requires the employee to routinely read documents and reports for understanding and analytical purposes. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, peripheral vision and ability to focus.