Tree Trimmer

Job Details

Job : 81410

Location: Santa Cruz

Full/Part Time: Full Time

Under the supervision of the Superintendent of Grounds, the Tree Trimmer performs a variety of semi-skilled and skilled tasks in general tree maintenance, which requires working safely at extreme heights.

The Tree Trimmer performs pruning practices and tree maintenance activities to reduce the risk of tree hazards to the campus community, promote campus tree health, and develop, preserve, and enhance the beauty, structural integrity, and functional value of campus trees. Maintenance of trees includes climbing trees at considerable heights, utilizing proper climbing safety equipment in compliance with ANSI Z133 Safety Standards for Tree Care Operations.

Tree operations also include work at considerable heights using a bucket truck. Tree pruning and removals will require rigging skills in the trees as well as ground support activities. Work may take place over roads, paths, or structures, and requires chipping of brush, clean up, and general tool maintenance. The UCSC campus is integrated into the local forest containing second or third-growth native redwoods and Douglas firs over 150 feet, California bays, madrones, mature oaks, and various planted landscape species.

80% – Tree Trimming

• Prunes trees with proper techniques to improve structure, reduce hazard conditions, remove deadwood, provide building, road, and path clearance, enhance plant appearance, and improve health.
• Trains young trees.
• Performs tree crown cleaning, crown thinning, and crown reduction techniques by removing and lowering branches and limbs with load lines and tag lines.
• Performs tree management care, including installation of cables or rods in trees to provide support to weak or potentially dangerous limbs.
• Performs tree removals by topping, piecing out, or felling trees, ensuring safe conditions are maintained.
• Identifies and reports hazardous trees in the landscape.
• Uses hand and power tools, climbing and rigging equipment, traffic safety equipment, lift truck, chipper and chipper truck.
• Enters trees and reaches working height by climbing using current techniques and using a boom truck.
• Responds to tree emergencies after hours as necessary.

15% – Equipment Maintenance

• Sharpens, cleans, and adjusts saws.
• Lubricates aerial lift and chipper with grease gun, oil cans, and aerosol applicators as required.
• Changes chipper blades.
• Cleans equipment radiators.
• Checks fluids.
• Follows maintenance schedules and keeps maintenance records.
• Inspects climbing and rigging equipment regularly and reports deficiencies.

5% – Recordkeeping / Administrative Duties

• Maintains records of time, tree work, and equipment maintenance utilizing department tree inventory software, GIS, and department business systems for work order management and timekeeping.

• Prior experience and proficiency in modern tree climbing and rigging techniques, using climbing saddles and ropes, and safely climbing and maneuvering within and among mature trees at extreme heights using tree-climbing skills conforming to current practice.
• Skill in tree pruning and tree removal techniques at considerable heights, including working over structures.
• Skills in performing crown restoration, removing hazardous branches or trees, using rigging and related knots, and using tree trimming tools and equipment.
• Ability to use necessary equipment in a safe manner such as chainsaws, blowers, hedge trimmers, chippers, climbing gear, etc.
• Skill and knowledge in identifying desirable or problematic tree structural characteristics and making pruning decisions to retain and enhance desirable tree structural and aesthetic conditions while eliminating or mitigating undesirable tree structural conditions.
• Skill and ability to perform preventive and routine mechanical maintenance on aerial lift trucks, brush chippers, small equipment power tools, and related tree care equipment.
• Knowledge of tree biology, growth patterns, decay organisms, proper pruning cuts and pruning wound closure.
• Experience in the field of arboriculture, which includes the care and management of tree resources.
• Knowledge of basic computer…