TREE TRIMMER

City of Columbia; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 33,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Columbia seeks a skilled grounds/tree crew member to prune and remove trees in city rights-of-way and on other city properties. The role involves driving, bucket truck operation, and use of chainsaws, chippers, stump grinders, and related equipment.

Candidate must have a high school diploma or GED, some related experience, and a valid SC driver’s license, with the ability to obtain a Class B license within one year. Physical stamina and teamwork are essential.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Some relevant prior experience.
• Valid South Carolina Class D Driver’s License.
• Be able to obtain South Carolina Class “B” Driver’s License within one (1) year from the date of hire or promotion.
• Knowledge of basic arithmetic (ratios, rates, percentages).
• Ability to guide others and operate/repair heavy machinery.

Responsibilities

• Prunes or removes trees in City rights-of-way and on other properties as directed.
• Drives and operates trucks and bucket truck; operates tree felling equipment, chainsaws, wood chippers, stump grinders and other tools.
• Loads/unloads materials onto vehicles.
• Cleans and removes debris from work sites.
• Inspects equipment and reports defects or maintenance.
• Performs routine maintenance and cleaning of tools and equipment.
• Assists in providing instruction and leadership of lower-level crew members.
• Follows policies, procedures, and safety standards.
• Attends training to enhance knowledge and skills.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Physical stamina

Leadership/mentoring

Mathematical ability

Reading/writing basic instructions

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

South Carolina Class D Driver’s License

Class B License (within 1 year)

Job description

This position performs skilled and semi-skilled work involved in pruning and removing trees in City rights-of-way and on other City properties; and performs other work as required. The incumbent works according to some procedures but decides how or when to do things; work is reviewed regularly by supervisor.

The work is considered heavy in nature and involves constantly lifting, pushing or raising objects, exerting between 50 and 75 pounds of force on a recurring basis and over 100 pounds of force on a frequent basis. The work requires the following physical abilities to perform the essential job functions: balancing, climbing, crouching, feeling, fingering, grasping, handling, kneeling, lifting, mental acuity, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, stooping, talking, visual acuity, and walking.

Work environment may involve exposure to bright/dim light, dusts and pollen, extreme heat and/or cold, wet or humid conditions, extreme noise levels, vibration, traffic, moving machinery, electrical shock, heights; and involves heavy equipment and machinery that could result in bodily harm to co-workers or others.

• Prunes or removes trees in City rights-of-way and on other properties as directed
• Drives and operates trucks and bucket truck; operates specialized tree felling equipment, small and large chain saws, wood chippers stump grinders and other tools and equipment as necessary to complete assigned duties
• Loads / unloads materials onto vehicles
• Cleans and removes debris from work sites
• Inspects equipment to ensure proper and safe working condition; reports defects or required maintenance to the supervisor
• Performs routine maintenance and cleaning of assigned tools and equipment
• Assists in providing instruction and leadership of lower-level crew members as assigned
• Performs all work in compliance with all policies and procedures and standards of quality and safety
• Attends training as required to enhance job knowledge and skills;
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements to Perform Work:

• High school diploma or GED
• Some relevant prior experience
• Valid South Carolina Class D Driver’s License
• Be able to obtain South Carolina Class “B” Driver’s License within one (1) year from the date of hire or promotion

• Knowledge of addition and subtraction, multiplication and division, and/or calculating ratios, rates and percentages
• Ability to compare or inspect items against a standard
• Ability to provide information, guidance or assistance to people to directly facilitate task accomplishment; may give directions or assignments to helpers or assistants
• Ability to lead, operate or repair complex machinery or equipment that requires extended training and experience, such as tree felling equipment, heavy equipment, power tools, etc.
• Ability to perform skilled work involving rules/systems with almost constant problem-solving
• Ability to read routine sentences, instructions, regulations, procedures or work orders; writing routine sentences and completing routine job forms and incident reports; speaking routine sentences using proper grammar
• Ability to perform clerical, manual or technical tasks prescribed by standard practices but which may require computation, the use of several procedures, and the use of independent judgments with obvious choices; requires normal attention for accurate results;
• Ability to guide others, requiring frequent decisions affecting co-workers and others who depend on the service or product; works in a somewhat fluid environment with rules and procedures but with many variations from the routine.