Urban Forestry Maintenance Specialist

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This is an EXCITING time to Join the City of Richmond We are committed to nurturing talent, fostering growth opportunities, and building strong connections within our workforce. As we continue to make strides to becoming the employer of choice, we are thrilled about the below employee benefit enhancements:

• Virginia Retirement System (VRS)
• Language Incentive
• Referral Bonus
• Tuition Assistance Program

Description

The City of Richmond Department of Public Works, Urban Forestry Division is seeking multiple qualified candidates to fill the position of Maintenance Specialist. The incumbent is responsible for performing maintenance within the City's forestry system. The successful candidate will work a schedule from 7:00am to 3:30pm and will be required to work beyond scheduled hours as needed, during inclement weather, during declared emergencies, and on a rotating on-call basis.

Duties include but are not limited to

• Receives written and verbal instructions to complete ground-based and aerial tree maintenance applications
• Performs the following maintenance activities which include but are not limited to the following: tree identification, crown cleaning, crown restoration, crown reduction, crown elevation, sanitation pruning and initial form establishment pruning. All tree pruning conforms to American national Standards Institute (ANSI) ZI33.1 and (ANZI) A300 Standards
• Performs and participates in tree removal activities using aerial lift truck, articulated (knuckle-boom) loader and stump grinder; removal activities include but are not limited to the following: emergency dispatch, site preparation, hazard identification and assessment, work-zone and traffic control set up, tree identification and assessment, removal of tree, removal of stump, debris staging, loading, chipping and transportation
• Demonstrates and explains safe use and operation of hand and power tools, hazard identification evaluation and assessment, PPE and work zone protocol to emergency response backup personnel
• Demonstrates and explains proper tree handling, pruning to volunteers and other city staff as needed
• Safely operates and drives aerial lift truck, articulated (knuckle-boom) loader, flatbed and water trucks to and from tree maintenance work sites
• Carries and responds to emergency after hours cell phone; respond and record relevant information from emergency dispatcher, locate tree problem to be addressed, identify hazards, locate and mobilize additional personnel as needed, set up work zone, clear right-of way and stage debris
• Responds to weather related emergencies; snow/ice removal, storm damage trees that may include clearing roadways, removing broken hanging limbs, etc.
• Safely maintains tools, vehicle and equipment

This position is considered essential personnel and is subject to work on-call hours and during natural disasters and emergencies.

The selected candidate will be required to work 24 hour on-call, weekend and holiday call duty as scheduled.

Qualifications, Special Certifications and Licenses

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

• High school diploma or GED
• Three years of experience directly related to assignment
• An equivalent combination of training and experience (as approved by the department) may be used to meet the minimum qualifications of the classification

Preferred Qualifications:

• International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist (ISA Certification)
• Certified Tree Safety Professional, Tree Care Industry Association

LICENSING, CERTIFICATIONS, and OTHER SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• A current and valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with a satisfactory driving record
• If assigned to tree maintenance, may require an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certification

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

TYPICAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: These are a representative sample; position assignments may vary.

Knowledge (some combination of the following):

• Basic math
• Basic/standard repairs and maintenance applications
• Chemicals and their commercial and industrial applications
• Commercial mowing equipment
• Machine safety procedures, including "lock-out tag-out"
• Variety of hand and power tools needed for various circumstances
• Usage and safe operation of various equipment and tools
• Various plants and fauna for safety reasons
• Mechanics

Skills (some combination of the following):

• Breaking down and rebuilding equipment
• Cleaning area of responsibility
• Communicating with various internal and external departments
• Conducting snow removal
• Ensuring equipment is in safe working order, cleaned, and well maintained
• Leading a crew and keeping them safe
• Navigating work area
• Performing minor repairs and replacing damaged equipment
• Performing routine or heavy cleaning
• Reading and writing
• Setting up and assisting with special events
• Using and operating equipment such as tractors, backhoes, hand tools, power tools, weed eaters, dump trucks, etc.

Abilities (some combination of the following):

• Follow standard procedures and established practices
• Physical dexterity
• Be patient
• Problem solve
• Work with others, including in a strenuous work environment

Americans with Disabilities Act Requirements

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS: Working conditions may include exposure to travel to other locations within the City of Richmond as well as outside of the City of Richmond; exposure to hazardous physical conditions such as mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibrations, etc.; atmospheric conditions such as fumes, odors, dusts, gases, and poor ventilation; inadequate lighting; intense noise; and environmental hazards such as disruptive people, imminent danger, and a threatening environment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT: Due to the nature of work assignments, incumbents must be able to perform detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks, with frequent interruptions and under time constraint. The essential duties of this classification may require the ability to regularly stand, walk, push, pull, finger, talk, see, hear and use repetitive motion; frequently feel, grasp, finger and see; frequently talk and hear; and occasionally balance, stoop, crouch, stand, pull, grasp, and feel. The working conditions may include environmental hazards. In terms of the physical strength to perform the essential duties, this classification is considered to be heavy work, exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The City of Richmond provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

The City of Richmond is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, the City of Richmond will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations. If you require reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to participate in the job application and/or the interview process, please contact Jessica McKenzie, Human Resources Manager by email at Jessica..GOV.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

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With over 4,000 employees, the City of Richmond is an "Employer of Choice" among cities throughout the nation. The City strives to hire and retain employees who bring dedication and talent to the workforce. Offering a competitive, cost effective, and quality benefits package is one element of an "Employer of Choice".

The City offers a full range of benefit programs from initial hire through retirement. Please visit our Web site for details.

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