THE POSITION
The principal function of an employee in this class is to perform tree care and maintenance of trees along streets, in parks, and on other municipal property.

EXAMINATION: All applicants meeting the minimum qualifications will be scheduled for a performance and written examination on Tuesday, October 29, 2019.  Qualified applicants will be notified via their preferred method of the time and place of the exams, which will consist of a written exam followed by the performance exam.  The performance exam consists of a knot tying and chainsaw demonstration and a timed manual tree climb using only ropes.  Cancelation of the exam is subject to weather, make up date of Tuesday, November 5, 2019.  Requires satisfactory criminal, sex offender and driving record background checks. Passing a pre-employment physical and drug screen is required prior to employment.

ACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

• High School graduation or GED and three (3) years of full-time, paid experience as a tree pruner-climber. (Full-time is defined as 32 hours or more per week. Less than full-time experience will be calculated on a pro-rated basis.)
• Must be a Certified Arborist with the International Society of Arboriculture, or ability to acquire within 6 months of hire.
• Must be an Iowa Certified Pesticide Applicator in categories #2, #30T, or #6, or ability to acquire within 6 months of hire.
• Possession of a valid Class B CDL allowing the operation of vehicles with airbrakes

REQUIRED SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS
Please Note:  Photocopy submittal of all relevant certificates are required by the application deadline to avoid application disqualification.  If you possess a Non-Iowa Driver's License, submittal of driving records is required by the application deadline to avoid application disqualification.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)

• Inspects trees and shrubs for insects, diseases, split or weak branch attachments, and other abnormalities.
• Performs tree care maintenance such as pruning, removal, planting, mulching, staking, fertilizing and watering.
• Operates heavy equipment (e.g., aerial portion of  bucket truck, chipper truck, chipper, etc.) utilized to prune and remove trees.
• Operates and maintains manual and motorized equipment (e.g., chain saws, power pruner, stump grinder, root pruner, hand tools, etc.) at ground level and at heights up to 70 ft.
• Trims trees using climbing ropes and saddle.
• Uses proper safety equipment, monitors working conditions, and reports problems to supervisor.
• Interacts with other City departments and the public to accomplish work.
• Provides feedback to supervisors to enhance operations.
• Keeps accurate records of time spent and equipment used on each job.
• May work evenings, weekends and holidays as necessary in response to emergencies (e.g. storms, tornadoes, floods, mudslides, etc.) related to public tree removal.
• May work in harsh weather conditions (e.g., xtreme hot or cold temperatures, rain, snow, etc.) with frequent exposure to environmental hazards (e.g., pollens, poison ivy, dust, etc).
• Performs other duties as assigned.

SELECTION METHOD
EXAMINATION: All applicants meeting the minimum qualifications will be scheduled for a performance and written examination on Tuesday, October 29, 2019. Qualified applicants will be notified via their preferred method of the time and place of the exams, which will consist of a written exam followed by the performance exam. The performance exam consists of a knot tying and chainsaw demonstration and a timed manual tree climb using only ropes. Cancelation of the exam is subject to weather, make up date of Tuesday, November 5, 2019. Qualified applicants who need a reasonable accommodation must inform this office at (515) 283-4213 or TTY at Iowa Relay at 711 or 1-800-735-2942 prior to the closing date.