Arborist Jobs

Nature of Work
This is a skilled position in the Park and Forestry Division of the Park and Recreation Department which is responsible for the preventative care, formative pruning, and removal of trees and shrubs to improve appearance, maintain usability, improve plant health and minimize storm damage. Work is often considered high risk in nature, which requires comprehensive knowledge of tree removal techniques. Other duties include removing dead and diseased trees; planting new trees, shrubs and plants; applying pesticides; worksite planning; utilizing proper safeguards for subordinates and the public; proper operation and care of assigned equipment; and performing other related duties as required.

• THIS POSITION MAY BE COVERED BY THE CITY'S RESPIRATORY PROTECTION PROGRAM (based on job assignment)

Employees in this position are required to use respiratory equipment and the City of Rochester will conform to all State and Federal requirements in administering this program.

• THIS POSITION MAY BE COVERED BY THE CITY'S HEARING CONSERVATION PROGRAM (based on job assignment)

Employees in this position are required to use hearing protection and the City of Rochester will conform to all State and Federal requirements in administering this program.

• THIS POSITION IS COVERED BY THE CITY OF ROCHESTER DRUG TESTING POLICY

The drug and alcohol testing policies and procedures of the City of Rochester will conform to all State and Federal requirements, including Minnesota Statutes 181.950 through 181.957; the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988; and/or the US Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

• Pre-employment and/or periodic testing may be required.

THIS POSITION IS COVERED BY PARK AND RECREATION AREA RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT
In order to provide timely services, P&R has designated specific positions which must comply with an area residency requirement, based on job-related necessity where employees in such positions must reside within thirty (30) driving miles of their normally scheduled work reporting location.
New Hires
Individuals hired for designated positions with P&R covered by an area residency requirement who do not meet this requirement shall be allowed no more than twelve (12) months, from their date of hire, in order to meet the thirty (30) driving mile requirement.
Current Employees
P&R employees in designated positions covered by the area residency requirement and who reside at a location that allows them to report to work within an approximate thirty (30) minute timeline from the time notified, prior to (1/1/2012), shall be deemed to comply with P&R's area residency requirement provided that they remain at their current address. If a current P&R employee in a designated position covered by the area residency requirement relocates, their new address/residence must be located within thirty (30) driving miles of their normally scheduled work reporting location and notice must be given to their immediate supervisor prior to relocating to ensure compliance with the area residency requirement.
Promotional Opportunities
Job change opportunities pursued by the employee to designated P&R positions covered by an area residency requirement shall be withheld from employees whose address/residence is located more than thirty (30) driving miles from the normally scheduled work reporting location of their new position, with the exception of employees who are willing to relocate within 12 months from date of job change in order to comply with the thirty (30) driving mile area residence requirement; OR employees who immediately prior to their job change were in a designated position and resided at a location that allowed them to report to work within the approximate thirty (30) minutes (as noted under the Current Employee section) from the time notified.
Noncompliance with Residency Requirements
In the event that an employee fails to comply with the residency requirement, the employee will be considered to no longer meet the minimum requirements of the position. In such instance, the City will take formal action, up to and including termination. An employee may be granted an extension if there is credible basis, as determined by the employer, for justification as to why the employee has failed to comply. Said basis shall consist of circumstances not caused or controlled by the employee.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of: the techniques of cabling and bolting, formative pruning, trimming and removing trees; principles and practices of general grounds, landscape, facilities maintenance; integrated pest management; the basic identification and comprehension of common forbs, grasses, trees and shrubs; landscape design, installation and maintenance of outdoor areas including naturalized landscape areas and native plants; horticulture/gardening techniques necessary to establish and maintain a variety of plants and shrubs in various growing conditions; operating characteristics of assigned equipment; maintenance requirements of assigned equipment; work hazards and applicable safety procedures and precautions associated with operating and maintaining assigned equipment; applicable traffic laws, ordinances, and regulations involved in the operation of assigned equipment; and building maintenance practices, supplies and equipment.
Skill in: climbing trees with the use of a rope and saddle; operating and maintaining tree trimming and landscape maintenance equipment; and integrated pest management.
Ability to: operate various equipment including areal lift units, chipper, claw tractor, loader; follow oral and written instructions; make minor operating adjustments and to recognize operating deficiencies in assigned equipment; perform heavy manual tasks under varied weather conditions; establish and maintain effective working relationships; positively interact with public and clients; and provide positive customer service.
PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CRITERIA
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the following represents the physical and environmental demands for this position. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions with or without accommodation.
In consideration of the overall amount of physical effort required to perform this position, the work is best described as Heavy Work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
Physical demands that may be required continuously (2/3 or more of the time), frequently (1/3 to 2/3 of the time), and occasionally (up to 1/3 of the time) are noted below:
Continuous demands: standing, walking, lifting, carrying, pushing/pulling, reaching, handling
Frequent demands: sitting, kneeling, crouching, bending, twisting, climbing, balancing, foot controls
Occasional demands: fine dexterity, crawling
Sensory requirements necessary in the performance of the essential functions of this position include: sight, hearing, touch, and smell.
Environmental conditions that may exist in the performance of the essential functions of this job include:
Extreme cold (below 32 degrees)
Extreme heat (above 100 degrees)
Noise (need to shout in order to be heard)
Vibration (exposure to oscillating movements of the extremities of whole body)
Exposure to dust/gas/fumes/steam/chemicals
Work outdoors (no effective protection from weather)
Walk on uneven ground (gravel, rocks, mounds, construction sites)
Work at heights (such as on scaffolding or ladders)
Working around moving machinery (fork-lifts, tractors, mowers)
Protective equipment required (respirator, mask, earplugs, gloves, eyewear, etc.)