Placer County

To perform high tree climbing, trimming, pruning and felling activities requiring a high level of skill and independent judgment; to cut and clear brush and fallen trees; to spray weeds and brush on County roads and rights-of-way; and to exercise technical and functional supervision over maintenance and technical personnel as needed.

This is the advanced journey level class in the Tree Trimmer series.  Positions at this level are distinguished from other classes within the series by the level of responsibility assumed, complexity of duties assigned, independence of action taken, by the amount of time spent performing assigned duties and by the nature of the public contact made.  Employees perform the most difficult and responsible types of duties assigned to classes within this series including climbing, rigging and felling trees and may exercise technical and functional supervision over maintenance and technical personnel as assigned.  Employees at this level are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to assigned area of responsibility.

Receives direction from the Tree Maintenance Supervisor.

May exercise technical and functional supervision over maintenance and technical personnel.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Train and lead assigned personnel involved in tree trimming activities.
• Climb high trees and perform trimming activities requiring skill and independent judgment; advise Tree Maintenance Supervisor regarding trees to be felled; rig appropriately and use tools and equipment to fell.
• Trim, clear and stack roadside brush and fallen trees; operate brush chipper. 
• Prepare and mix herbicides for roadside spraying; spray brush and weeds and operate truck or spray rig. 
• Perform various manual labor tasks and maintain and perform minor repairs on equipment used in tree trimming and brush clearing activities.
• Perform traffic control including set up and removal of signs, cones and flagging.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Two years of responsible journey level experience performing duties similar to those of a Tree Trimmer in Placer County.

Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.

Required License or Certificate:

• Possession of Qualified Applicator Certificate from California Department of Food and Agriculture is desirable.
• Possession of a valid Class B driver's license with air brake and tanker endorsements. Hazardous materials endorsement may be required depending upon the position.
• May need to possess a valid Class A driver's license with air brake and tanker endorsements as required depending upon the position.
• Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

Knowledge of:

• Practices and procedures related to tree trimming activities.
• Specific use and purpose of materials, equipment and methods used in trimming and tree removal.
• Methods, equipment and chemicals used in weed control.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand operations and observe safety rules.  Intermittently analyze problem equipment; identify and locate equipment and tools; interpret work orders; remember equipment and tool location; remember street/road names and general geographic areas.
• Intermittently, sit while completing forms or reports; bend, squat, climb, kneel, twist and reach when operating equipment and clearing brush; perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling and fine manipulation; regularly lift very heavy weight.
• Use a high level of skill and independent judgment in climbing, trimming and felling trees; operate equipment used in tree trimming including power saws, aerial lifts, pick ups and dump trucks.
• Use a variety of power and hand tools and operate wood chipping and spraying equipment.
• Safely and effectively operate equipment in regular traffic areas; determine traffic control areas for signing and marking of temporary maintenance or construction zones.
• Act quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively and to determine proper course of action.
• Work unusual and prolonged work schedules; work multiple shifts during emergencies, seasonally-caused circumstances, or special projects in varying climatic and temperature conditions.
• Understand and follow written and oral instructions.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.