3434-Arborist Technician

Job description

CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES

Title: Arborist Technician

Job Code: 3434

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, performs duties involving the maintenance and removal of trees and other vegetation and performs related duties as required. The essential functions of this class include climbing up trees and/or using aerial lift equipment to reach dead, damaged or unwanted limbs or tree tops for removal and pruning, or for purposes of complete tree removal; performing various types of rigging with cranes, skitters, tractors and other heavy equipment; preparing brush for disposal, operating chipper and driving aerial lift equipment vehicles, heavy loader trucks or other required vehicles. Nature of the work involves exposure to a high risk of physical injury to the employee and constant vigilance to public safety. Positions in this job code require considerable physical demands, manual dexterity with frequent exposure to arduous and disagreeable working conditions, including inclement weather.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

The 3434 Arborist Technician is distinguished from the 3436 Arborist Technician Supervisor in that the latter is the entry-level supervisory class.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

None.

EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

According to civil service commission rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job code/class and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

1. Assesses and evaluates condition of trees and other vegetation; maintains tree inventories.

2. Climbs trees and removes dead, diseased or otherwise damaged or unwanted limbs or tree tops; prunes, fells and cuts up trees; piles trimmings for pick up and disposal.

3. Performs various types of rigging in connection with this work; operates chain and hand saws, aerial ladder truck, chipper, and other equipment.

4. Drives heavy equipment.

5. Performs related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of: Methods, materials and equipment used in trimming and caring for trees; mechanical aptitude in the use of power saws and other equipment.

Ability and Skill to: Perform necessary roping and rigging connected with this work.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

These minimum qualifications establish the education, training, experience, special skills and/or license(s) which are required for employment in the classification. Please note, additional qualifications (i.e., special conditions) may apply to a particular position and will be stated on the exam/job announcement.

Education:

Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent (GED or High School Proficiency Examination).

Experience:

Three (3) years of verified journey-level experience as a tree work professional. Duties must have included climbing trees of considerable height for the purpose of removing tree limbs, treetops or entire tree in accordance with safety standards. Experience in pruning trees from a ladder is not qualifying experience.

License and Certification:

Possession of a valid California Class C driver�s license at the time of application; AND

Possession of a valid California Class B driver�s license with no air brakes restriction is required upon completion of the probationary period.

Substitution:

Successful completion of an Arborist Technician Apprenticeship Program approved and registered with the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Safety Sensitive Positions Requirements: In compliance with the Department of Transportation Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991 employing the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulations, drug and alcohol testing for employees in "safety-sensitive" positions are required. The selected applicants for safety-sensitive positions will be required to pass a Pre-Employment drug test prior to appointment and shall be subject to Random, Post-Accident, Reasonable Suspicion, Return-To-Duty, and Follow-Up testing during employment. Prior to appointment to an FMCSA position, each applicant who has participated in a DOT drug and alcohol testing program within the immediately preceding two years will be required to sign a consent form authorizing the City to contact his/her prior employers concerning his/her drug and alcohol test history.

PROMOTIVE LINES

To: 3436 Arborist Technician Supervisor I

ORIGINATION DATE: 05/19/00

AMENDED DATE: 09/04/01; 10/31/14; 05/26/17; 03/27/18; 05/29/19; 09/11/19

REASON FOR AMENDMENT: To accurately reflect the current tasks, knowledge, skills & abilities, and minimum qualifications.

BUSINESS UNIT(S): COMMN SFMTA

Standard information

Disaster service work

All City and County of San Francisco employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Historic and future compensation