Bloomington Service Maintenance
Job Specs

JOB TITLE AND LEVEL: Arborist / SM39

JOB CODE: 001182

DATE: July 2010

JOB PURPOSE

Cut away dead or excess branches from trees or shrubs to maintain right-of-way for roads, sidewalks, or utilities, or to improve appearance, health, and value of tree. Prune or treat trees or shrubs using handsaws, pruning hooks, sheers, and clippers. May use truck-mounted lifts and power pruners.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Inspects trees and performs assessments to evaluate health and condition and to maintain aesthetic appearance and vitality.  Identifies and diagnoses disease, pests, damage and hazards.  Uses increment borer to identify decay and assess structural integrity of trees.

Performs tree repair and maintenance treatments on damaged or hazard trees including cabling and bracing.

Cuts away dead and excess branches from trees, using handsaws, pruning hooks, sheers, and clippers.

Climbs trees, using climbing hooks and belts, or climbs ladders to gain access to work area.

Prunes, cuts down, fertilizes, and sprays trees as directed by certified arborist.

Uses truck-mounted hydraulic lifts and pruners and power pruners.

Provides tree care, pruning and chainsaw safety training to other Campus Division employees.

Organize and coordinate large scale tree damage and removal operations utilizing other Campus Division crews.

Performs general maintenance such as feeding chipper, raking leaves/limbs, sweeping debris, driving bucket truck and small tractor, picking up trash, planting flowers and snow removal and other seasonal tasks.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of safe tree climbing techniques and proper cabling and staking practices.

Ability to determine appropriate tools and equipment needed to do a job, such as chainsaws, chipper, dump truck, winch, bucket truck, skid steer loader, tractors, blowers, drills, basic hand tools, and pesticide sprayer.

Ability to read and understand pesticide and herbicide labels and to mix and apply in safe manner.

Ability to perform heavy and strenuous work for extended periods.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education: High school diploma or GED.

Experience: Three years tree care experience.

Licenses/Certifications: CDL and ability to be insured by Indiana University.  ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) certification preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Sitting, standing, walking, climbing ladders, squatting/kneeling, reaching, grasping, pushing/pulling, twisting/bending, lifting/carrying up to 50 lbs. numerous times per shift, fingering, talking, hearing, and seeing.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Spends most of time outdoors in possible temperature extremes, noisy environment, vibrations of body or extremities, risk of bodily injury from mechanical parts, electricity, etc. Possible exposure to fumes or odors that affect respiration and skin.

The intent of this job specification is to provide a representative summary of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position.  Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this specification.