Arborist Direct Report:

Forestry & Grounds Superintendent Department:

Public Services

• Forestry & Grounds Hours:

  40 hours per week
• Monday

• Friday:

  7:30 am
• 3:30 pm

Bargaining Unit:

AFSCME, Local 111

• Laborers Summary This role is responsible for performing daily operations, as well as seasonal and annual maintenance tasks for all municipal and school facility trees, shrubs, plantings and other vegetation.

This includes addressing various roadway features, such as street trees, planting beds and roadside maintenance/mowing. May engage in the purchase of supplies. This role includes conducting inspections, performing minor repairs, and carrying out routine maintenance on the equipment utilized within the division. Furthermore, This role implements the work plan associated with special events and actively engages in storm and ice events. Additional duties may be assigned.

Supervision Supervision Scope:

This role involves a range of diverse and significant responsibilities that necessitate a deep understanding of division operations, along with the ability to apply sound judgment and take initiative, especially in circumstances that lack clear guidelines or established protocols.

Supervision Received:

Operates under the direct guidance of the Forestry Crew Leader and/or Forestry & Grounds Superintendent, adhering to all applicable rules, regulations, and policies. Responsibilities involve the capability to execute operations, complete tasks independently, and adhere to schedules.

Supervision Given:

May mentor, oversee, guide, and train new employees, cooperative students, or seasonal staff. Essential Duties and Responsibilities The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Leadership, Personnel & Workforce Management May mentor, oversee, guide, and train new employees, cooperative students, or seasonal staff. Administrative Operations Prioritize assignments and implement workplans.

• Execute maintenance schedules.
• Assist in the development, planning, scheduling, and execution of projects.
• Maintain accurate records of work progress and completed tasks.
• Provide a clean and well-organized work environment. Financial & Procurement Services
• Assists in preparation cost estimates.
• Conduct inventory and make recommendations for materials and supplies. Customer Service, Communications & Public Outreach
• Interacts with the general public as needed. Equipment & Fleet Management Ensure proper usage and storage of tools, fleet and equipment. Operates light, medium, and heavy equipment, including commercial trucks. Report equipment deficiencies to Forestry & Grounds Superintendent.
• Operate and maintain specialized equipment. Facilities & Grounds Maintenance Performs forestry maintenance for all municipal and school facilities and recreation areas.
• Maintains the passibility of the City's open space paths and trails. Carries out forestry maintenance of all City cemeteries.
• Conducts the maintenance and planting of City street, shade and ornamental trees.
• Carries out the maintenance of planting beds and islands.
• Performs roadside vegetation and brush mowing operations.

Environmental Programs & Services Executes insect remediation programs in City trees, public buildings and property, and public ways through dispensation of pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides, to ensure public safety and environmental health. Enforcement, Compliance & Safety Enforcement, Compliance, Safety Maintain comprehensive understanding of local, state, and federal regulations.

• Stay updated with industry standards and best practices.
• Provide training on safe work practices and enforce implementation of safety measures. Enforce safety practices including work zone safety, confined space entry, aerial and excavation safety.
• Ensure use of proper protective clothing and equipment.

Special Projects, Events & Emergency Response Removes hazardous tree conditions on City roadways, sidewalks, and municipal property. Removes tree debris during and after storm events. Performs seasonal banner and ornament installation and display. Assist in event setup and logistics and execute the closure and restriction of road access. Understand and execute associated emergency response plans. Provide support for emergency response coordination. Winter Operations Management

• Ensure the readiness of equipment.
• Performs snow removal operations, including sidewalk plowing. Additional Duties
• Perform or assist with special projects and other duties as required, directed or as situations dictate.

Qualifications Education, Training and Experience High School Diploma or equivalent and advanced technical courses plus three to five (3-5) years of experience in commercial or municipal tree care or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience are required. Computer literacy is highly desired. Special Requirements Valid Class B Commercial driver's license with air brake endorsement or the ability to obtain a valid Commercial Driver's License within the first 6 months of employment. Valid Class 2B Massachusetts Hoisting License is required. Electrical Hazard Awareness Program certification is required. Aerial Lift Training is required. Certified Arborist is desirable.

• Massachusetts Applicators or Commercial Pesticide License is desirable.

First Aid/CPR/AED Certification within 90 days of being hired unless such deadline is extended. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Capability to train and mentor new employees, cooperative students, and seasonal staff. Ability to perform and execute daily operations balancing routine and emergent tasks. Basic skills in computer use. Demonstrated ability in administrative support including scheduling, inventory control, and cost estimation. Practical understanding of municipal organizations, departmental coordination, and municipally operated assets. Strong competency in coordination with divisions, contractors, inspectors, vendors, utilities, and the public. In-depth experience with arboriculture, tree management, shrub and vegetation maintenance, and irrigation. Proficiency in tree planting, maintenance, and removal; shrub care; vegetation management; and planting bed maintenance. Applied knowledge of pesticide application regulations. Ability to apply pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides. Functional knowledge of local, state, and federal regulations, environmental practices, and safety codes. Applied knowledge of electrical hazard awareness and aerial lift safety. Ability to respond to weather events and unforeseen situations. Ability to perform physical labor. Ability to create and maintain detailed and accurate records. Ability to maintain quality control through inspection protocols and accurate recordkeeping.

• Ability to make sound decisions and use appropriate judgment.
• Ability to demonstrate tact, initiative, and basic problem-solving skills.

Proficient written and verbal communication skills. Ability to maintain confidentiality. Ability to deal courteously with the public. Knowledge of the tools and equipment, practices, procedures, and materials of the trade. Physical Demands The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Close, distance, color, peripheral vision, and depth perception are required. The employee must be able to communicate effectively, as well as hear and smell. Additionally, the role necessitates occasionally sitting, and frequent activities such as standing, walking, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and reaching with hands and arms. Frequently the employee is required to be able to lift up to 50 pounds, occasionally lift up to 100 pounds and rarely over 100 pounds. This position requires the ability to operate commercial vehicles, heavy equipment, and a variety of power, and manual tools. Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee regularly interacts with the public, vendors, contractors, various City divisions and departments, and seldomly with local elected officials and State agencies. Contact is in person, in writing and by phone. Work is performed in an environment that ranges from moderate to very high noise levels. The employee may have access to confidential information pertinent to the Department. The job involves working in outdoor environments, often at significant heights, sub-surface or underground and in hazardous conditions, including exposure to toxic or corrosive substances, fumes, and airborne particles. Employees may face extreme temperatures unrelated to weather, operate near moving machinery, encounter electrical hazards and experience vibrations. Errors could result in personal injury/loss, delays or loss of service, monetary loss, injuries to other employees, environmental impacts, damage to buildings and/or equipment, and legal ramifications.

Pay:

$30.35

• $31.

58 per hour

Benefits:

Dental insurance Employee assistance program Employee discount Flexible spending account Health insurance Life insurance Opportunities for advancement Paid time off Parental leave Retirement plan Union benefits Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person