Tree Trimmer

City of Winston-Salem; Winston-Salem (NC); On-site; USD 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Winston-Salem seeks a skilled arborist/tree trimmer to care for city trees under supervision. You will prune, remove hazardous limbs, and maintain tree health along streets and city properties using ropes, rigging, and hand tools.

Responsibilities include operating an aerial lift, driving trucks, and using chippers or stump grinders. CDL must be obtained within six months of hire; training and safety protocols are emphasized.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• Considerable experience in arboriculture or equivalent.
• Ability to climb safely with/without climbing spikes; strong safety awareness.

Responsibilities

• Prunes to maintain structure and health of trees on streets and city property.
• Removes dead, hazardous, or undesirable limbs and trees using rope, rigging, and appropriate equipment.
• Operates aerial lift truck and supervises use of wood chippers, stump grinders, and skid steers.
• Drives trucks and performs related tree-care tasks as assigned by supervisor.

Skills

Tree climbing

Rigging

Aerial lift operation

Tool handling

Safety awareness

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

General Definition of Work

Under immediate supervision, performs responsible, skilled work in the care, pruning and removal of trees; does related work as apparent or assigned.

Qualification Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Climbs trees using rope, saddle and climbing spurs, ability to climb without spurs a plus; does necessary pruning to preserve the beauty of trees on streets and city property by removing dead, broken, diseased and undesirable limbs, prunes for structure and stability; removes dead or hazardous trees using a variety of rigging techniques; operates an aerial lift truck as necessary to perform tree care duties; uses a number or tools specific to tree care practices such as ropes, blocks, pulleys, chain saws, lowering devices and hand tools; keeps such equipment in good repair; drives trucks and operates equipment related to tree care such as wood chippers, stump grinders and skid steers. Performs other duties as specified by supervisor.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Qualified applicants will possess a thorough knowledge of proper tree pruning methods, be skilled in tree removal techniques and rigging practices, possess the ability to climb safely with and without the aid of climbing spikes, have thorough knowledge of specific hazards associated with arboriculture and safety precautions required to work safely, ability to communicate clearly to all members of the team during tree care operations and a thorough knowledge of the use and care of tools commonly used during tree pruning and removal operations.

Education and Experience

High school diploma or GED and considerable experience in arboriculture, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Physical Requirements

This work requires the regular exertion of up to 50 pounds of force and frequent exertion of up to 100 pounds of force; work regularly requires standing, walking, using hands to finger, handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling, lifting and repetitive motions, frequently requires stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and occasionally requires sitting, speaking or hearing, climbing or balancing and tasting or smelling; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, assembly or fabrication of parts within arm’s length, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work regularly requires working near moving mechanical parts and exposure to outdoor weather conditions and occasionally requires wet, humid conditions (non-weather), working in high, precarious places, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, exposure to the risk of electrical shock and exposure to vibration; work is generally in a very loud noise location (e.g. wood chipper, chainsaw).

Possession of a valid North Carolina Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) or the ability to obtain one within six (6) months of hire is required. Failure to obtain the required CDL within the specified timeframe may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

Hard-To-Fill Sign-On Incentive

This position has been designated by the City Manager as hard-to-fill and eligible for a one-time sign-on incentive. Please refer to the Hard-To-Fill Sign-On Incentive Policy for more information