Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

The Tree Trimmer will trim, cultivate, repair, remove and transplant trees and shrubs and apply pesticide. This requires extensive climbing, use of ropes, ladders and a variety of tools used in forestry work. Tree trimmers provide tree removal, trimming, operate mowing equipment, and plant trees.

Responsibilities for External Candidates

• Required Tasks
  • Supervise others engaged in tree trimming work and pesticide application and train lower-level employees.
  • Operate boom trucks, loaders, stump chippers, brush chippers, tractors, power saws, trucks, sprayers, and other equipment and tools.
  • Climb trees, using climbing hooks and belts, or climb ladders to gain access to work areas.
  • Clean, sharpen, and lubricate tools and equipment.
  • Cut away dead and excess branches from trees, or clear branches using climbing equipment or buckets of extended truck booms, or chainsaws, hooks, handsaws, shears, and clippers.
  • Trim, top, and reshape trees to achieve attractive shapes or to remove low-hanging branches. Prune, cut down, fertilize, and spray trees as directed by tree surgeons.
  • Hoist tools and equipment to tree trimmers, and lower branches with ropes or block and tackle.
  • Operate shredding and chipping equipment, and feed limbs and brush into the machines.
  • Load debris and refuse onto trucks and haul it away for disposal.
  • Other related duties and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications for External Candidates

Educational/Experience Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent GED AND
• A valid and safe (no more than 7 points) State of Michigan Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with a "B" or "A" & N designation with air brakes certification; (Must obtain "A" and "N" credential within 6 months of employment. An extension may be given at discretion of Management.)
• DOT medical credentials as required by the State of Michigan for CDL holders (and maintain); AND One of the following criteria from A. or B.:
  • A. At least 1 year of experience trimming trees, bushes and other types of brush (preferable this experience will include climbing trees using ropes and harnesses); (Part-time experience or seasonal experience will be acceptable and must be performing the above duties for at least 4160 hours).
  • B. Completion of the 6-week DTE Tree Trimmer Academy (or equivalent training program) that provides tree climbing instruction.
  • SPECIAL CONDITIONS
  • Applicants must be able to do extensive climbing to various heights and work in adverse weather conditions. Appointees within the first four (4) months of their probationary period, must provide documentation that they have certification with the State of Michigan as a Pesticide Applicator with Category 6 (right-of-way). If the Pesticide Applicator certification is not received and maintained, or the aerial lift certification is not received, the employee will be removed from the Tree Trimmer position pursuant to the Department of Personnel/Human resources and Department of Public Services Procedure.

Applicants will be required to pass the following assessments:

A Written Assessment will be administered covering knowledge of tree trimming, tree climbing tools, trimming tools, safety practices and botany of common trees. A Tree Climbing Abilities Assessment will also be administered. Candidates will be required to safely climb a tree using ropes and harnesses to demonstrate maneuvering in a tree.

A physical agility assessment will be administered on a pass/fail basis.

Candidates must pass all tests in order to be placed on the eligibility list.

PURPOSE

To establish an eligible list from which to fill present and future vacancies. The eligible list will remain in effect for six (6) months but may be extended. This will remain in existence until exhausted or terminated by the Department of Personnel/Human Resources.
This is a continuous examination and ranking on the eligible list will be subject to change as names are added to and removed from the list.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Pay Rate and Fringe Benefits: Appointments will usually be made at the minimum rate with annual increases where applicable. Payment is on a bi-weekly basis. Employees receive liberal fringe benefits, which include vacation pay, sick leave pay, health care insurance, optical, dental, long term disability, life insurance and a retirement plan.

Investigation and Probationary Period: An investigation of character and past employment will be conducted. Appointees must satisfactorily complete a probationary period before the appointment will be considered permanent, in accordance with the provisions of the collective bargaining agreements.

Veteran's Preference: Honorably discharged war veterans who receive passing grades on examinations will have ten (10) points added to their final earned examination scores and those who have a service connected disability will have five (5) points added to their score, for a possible total of fifteen (15) additional points. Requests for and proof of eligibility must be submitted at the time of the examination.

Appeal of Rejection: Persons denied permission to compete in an examination may make a written appeal to the Wayne County Civil Service Commission for a final decision. An appeal must be filed within twenty (20) days following the mailing of the rejection stating the basis on which the application should be accepted.

Review of Examination: A request to review an examination must be made in writing within twenty (20) days after the notice of result of the examination is mailed. An appeal concerning the rating received must be made in writing within twenty (20) days after the review. An appeal must state the basis on which it is claimed that the rating is improper.

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