Tree Trimmer III

City of Bartow; Bartow (FL); On-site; USD 40,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Bartow seeks an experienced tree trimmer to maintain and prune trees near energized electric lines. The role involves operating bucket trucks and large equipment, loading debris, and providing emergency services when required.

A valid Florida license is required, with CDL Class B preferred, plus a flexible schedule including evenings and weekends. Strong knowledge of safety practices, and the ability to supervise and mentor staff, are essential.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; 3 to 7 years of related experience in tree trimming or related field.
• Valid Florida Driver’s License required, and a CDL Class B preferred.
• Current CPR, basic first aid and bloodborne pathogens training within first year.
• Availability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Mission Critical during emergencies; CDL permit required with ability to obtain CDL Class B within one year.

Responsibilities

• Trim and remove trees and limbs near energized electric lines; operate equipment; load debris for disposal.
• Designs/reviews/implements forestry projects and supervises staff as needed.
• Provide emergency tree services as required and maintain traffic control at job sites.
• Climb trees using ropes and saddle; operate bucket trucks, chippers and other large equipment.
• Drive trucks to work sites and assist other departments and citizens as required.

Skills

Tree trimming

Equipment operation

Safety awareness

Crew supervision

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

CDL Class B

Bucket truck

Chipper operation

Job description

Performs responsible, semiskilled work trimming and removing trees and limbs near energized electric lines. Collects tree debris for removal and operates a chipper machine. Drives vehicles to work sites. Does related work as required. Work is performed under regular supervision.

• Designs/review/implements forestry projects
• Evaluates and interprets analysis of data collection
• Serves as expert
• Assesses health of urban forests and/or effectiveness of current management practices
• Acts as lead tree trimmer and supervises, trains, develops, coaches/mentors’ staff and coordinates and monitors assignments
• Trimming and removing trees and limbs near energized electric lines; operating equipment; loading trees, brush, and logs.
• Operates ariel lift bucket truck trimming and removing trees and limbs near energized electric conductors.
• Climbs trees and trims near or in energized conductors using ropes and hand lines.
• Assists other departments and citizens in the removal of large trees near homes and buildings.
• Using brush chippers, stump grinders, and other large equipment
• Providing emergency tree services as requires
• Removal of trees with specific equipment and machinery
• Providing maintenance of traffic on high volume roadways
• Evaluates quality assurance, code compliance, maintenance and sustainability
• Operates digger and crane truck when required.
• Pruning of trees aloft using a bucket truck, or rope and saddle
• Pruning trees from the ground using a variety of hand and power tools
• Providing other tree maintenance as required
• Prunes and maintains trees in accordance with national and local standards to support the City of Bartow Electric grid
• Responds to customer questions or complaints or forwards to supervisor
• Places traffic control signs and flags at job site.
• Mixes chemicals to proper proportions for spraying to protect desirable vegetation.
• Applies herbicide to stumps and small trees.
• Loads and unloads logs, brush and debris and feeds into chipper.
• Keeps work area clean and orderly.
• Trims trees and brush from the ground.
• Drives trucks as needed.
• Performs related tasks as required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None

• General knowledge of the practices, methods, equipment, materials and tools used in tree trimming adjacent to energized electrical lines.
• General knowledge of the occupational hazards connected with electrical transmission and distribution duties and the safety precautions required.
• Ability to perform manual work and physical stamina to withstand working under adverse weather conditions.
• Knowledge of construction management practices for tree preservation and electric grid maintenance
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work programs and assignments
• Ability to climb trees.
• Ability to understand and follow instructions in both oral and written form.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and the general public.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of tree trimming and pruning
• Knowledge of tree species located in central Florida
• Ability to use appropriate tree trimming tools including a variety of hand and power tools
• Ability to safely operate bucket trucks, chippers and other large equipment
• Ability to use rope and saddle to access trees
• Knowledge of safety standards and requirements for operating machinery and power tools
• Skill in the use and care of tools of trade.

Education and Experience:

High school diploma or equivalent; 3 to 7 years of related experience in tree trimming or related field; or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience which provides the necessary intermediate knowledge, skills, and abilities and other competencies necessary for the position.

Licenses, Certifications, Special Requirements:

• Valid Florida Driver’s License required, and a Commercial Driver’s License Class B preferred
• Current CPR, basic first aid and bloodborne pathogens training in first year of employment.
• Availability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays
• This position is Mission Critical during emergencies.
• Must have CDL Permit and be able to obtain CDL Class B License Within one year

Physical and Mental Demands:

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions, as established in the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Essential Physical Skills:

This is heavy work requiring the exertion of 100 pounds of force occasionally, up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects, and some very heavy work requiring exertion in excess of 100 pounds occasionally, in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects; work requires climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, and repetitive motions; 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; visual acuity is required for depth perception, color perception, night vision, peripheral vision, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, use of measuring devices, operation of machines, operation of motor vehicles or equipment, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities; the worker is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions, extreme cold, extreme heat, noise, vibration, hazards, atmospheric conditions, and oils. The worker is exposed to hazardous conditions and is required to wear specialized personal protective equipment.

Mental Demands:

Required to use written and oral communication skills

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee works outside and is exposed to weather conditions on a daily basis.

The employee regularly visits jobs sites, traverses rough, uneven terrain is active construction areas.

Regularly works around heavy machinery and equipment.

Employee is exposed to hazardous conditions including falling limbs and trees, chainsaws, chippers and heavy equipment.

All City of Bartow employees are considered EOC essential in times of emergency. An e-role will be provided to each employee when an emergency is declared.

As a City of Bartow employee, you are a public servant of a local entity and are responsible to adhere to the Florida State Statute governing the Code of Ethics for Public Officers and Employees Florida State Statute Chapter 112. Additionally, all Bartow employees are subject to Chapter 119 of the Florida State Statutes which governs public records.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Performs other related duties as assigned.