Tree Worker/Climber Leader (14275, 11570 Grade 18)

Description

The Maryland National Capital Park & Planning Commission is one of the largest organizations servicing both Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.  In both counties, we manage the park systems and in Prince George’s County, we also develop and manage the public’s recreation programs.
 
 Under the Department of Parks & Recreation, the Facility Services Division (FSD) is the largest Division in Parks & Recreation. We provide high quality maintenance and maintenance support services for all of the parks and recreation facilities within Prince George’s County. We have six major work areas: Fleet Management, Buildings & Structures (Trade Shops), Horticulture & Forestry, Major Maintenance & Inspection, Critical Projects (Aquatics, Sustainability, Heavy Equipment/Roads and Grounds) and the Administration section.

Under general supervision, leads skilled, hazardous tree maintenance work involving considerable responsibility, complexity and variety. Provides leadership and on-site direction over tree maintenance crew on a regular basis. Operates aerial lift trucks and climbs trees to perform difficult and dangerous tree maintenance work. Inspects for and identifies hazardous trees and limbs. Removes hazards, diseased, dead and unwanted trees and tree limbs from woods, parks, and other areas owned by the Commission. Performs tree maintenance on the ground when tree climbing is not required. May be asked to provide on-call service to respond to hazard tree emergencies. The incumbent plans and carries out the work in conformance with established policies and procedures and accepted practices, resolves commonly encountered work problems and deviations by selecting and applying the appropriate guideline(s), keeps the supervisor informed and brings procedural exceptions to the supervisor’s attention for guidance or resolution. The work is expected to be accurate, timely and consistent with guidelines – the incumbent is held responsible for results; work is evaluated in terms of quality, quantity, timeliness, teamwork, customer service and other factors. 

Examples of Important Duties

We are seeking two Tree Worker/Climber Leaders located in Horticulture & Forestry and specifically the Forestry section.  Forestry is responsible for the maintenance, pruning and safe removal of all the trees (dead, declining and hazardous) located within 25,000 acres of land acquired by the Commission for 85 years, throughout the Prince George’s County parks system.  
  
 As a Tree Worker/Climber Leader, you would report directly to the Tree Climber/Maint. Supervisor and Senior Urban Forester and be responsible for pruning and tree removal projects that range from a couple of hours to one week.  You may be involved in 1,000 tree removals ranging 6 to 60 inches in diameter and pruning 2,000 to 3,000 trees in a year’s time frame.  Some projects are complex and involve the use of cranes to remove larger trees.  Other technical removal projects involve working around hiker-biker trails, playgrounds and recreation centers, ensuring that your tree maintenance activities do not damage the structures. As a Tree Worker/Climber Leader you will lead on-site tree crews, ensuring that the work is complete, crew hours are reported accurately and that the crew observes all safety protocols (such as wearing of personal protective equipment), in addition to ensuring that all accidents are reported to supervisor.
  
 These positions require that you plan, assign, and schedule work and directs tasks of ground crew such as tree climbers, equipment operators and park/general maintenance workers.   Assists in training of staff.   Operates hydraulic buckets, chain saws, and ropes to cut down trees near wires or over buildings.  Make sure trees are climbed in accordance with safety requirements using saddle, ropes, climbing hooks, safety lanyards and other specialized safety equipment.  Have a working knowledge of removal or lowering trees and limbs using ropes, pulleys, lowering devices and other specialized equipment.   Operates and maintains chainsaws, brush chippers, trucks, equipment and hand tools. Operate motor vehicles often with trailers to and from work sites in a safe manner.  Responds appropriately to different working conditions.  Also, as Tree Worker/Climber Leader, the ability to diagnose insects/diseases and accurately identify tree types is desired.  As needed, you must be able to climb and work at heights of 100 or more feet in the air.  You should also be a team player who gets along with other employees and has some supervision experience.

Important Duties:

1. Provide lead role in coordinating onsite direction over tree care operations and crew performance in the field.
2. Site lead performing tree inspection, felling, pruning and removals.
3. Utilizes specialty tree climbing equipment and practices to safely perform tree care operations.
4. Operates and maintains chainsaws, brush chippers, trucks, equipment, and hand tools.
5. Operates motor vehicles to and from work sites in a safe manner.
6. Responds appropriately to different working conditions.

(Work Hours 6:30 am – 3:15 pm)

Salary Range ($53,675-$95,060)

Working Conditions: 

Primarily works outdoors. Requires exposure to adverse weather conditions, noise, vibration, dust, and hazardous materials while working at considerable heights. Hazardous conditions exist due to exposure to power tools, power lines, wild animals, stinging insects, poison ivy, oak or sumac, and dead and dangerous trees and limbs. Incumbents in this class must frequently: remain in a stationary position, balance and pull while removing trees, operate vehicles, tools and equipment, ascend and descend ladders and trees, position self to complete manual work, move equipment, tools and supplies weighing over 100 pounds. Overtime and emergency on-call time may be required.

Previous experience leading o directing work activities of a tree crew

Class B CDL is required at time of hire.
 Class A restricted CDL License is preferred.  If you do not have a Class A restricted CDL, it must be obtained before the end of your probation period.

Computer experience preferred
 You may be required to work during emergencies and storms.

Indoor/Outdoor – Exposure to varied weather conditions.  On call 24 hours.

Minimum Qualifications

1. High school diploma or Certificate of General Educational Development (GED).
2. Four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in groundskeeping, building maintenance or park maintenance.
3. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total four (4) years.
4. Valid driver’s license in accordance with both State and Commission rules and regulations. Driver’s license must be unencumbered by restrictions, revocations, suspensions, or points that could limit the employee’s ability to drive Commission vehicles or perform driving duties required of their position.
5. Pass Commission medical examination.
6. Depending upon the area of assignment, some positions in this class require within 12 months of hire (a) Commercial driver’s license (CDL) with appropriate endorsements; (b) obtainment of certifications including:

• Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Pesticide Applicator certification in the categories appropriate to the work assignment;
• Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Fertilizer Applicator certification; and
• National Playground Safety Institute certification.

Supplemental Information

Classification Specification Principal Parks/Facilities Maintenance Worker
 

May be subject to medical, drug and alcohol testing.
 
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate a workplace culture of diversity, equity and inclusion without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other non-merit factor.

 

Applicants with Disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

If you require accommodations or special arrangements due to a qualifying disability, please notify the Recruitment & Selections Services Unit at the time of applications at or301-454-1411 (Maryland Relay 7-1-1)

M-NCPPC will make all efforts to reasonably accommodate you.