Urban Forestry Careers (Urban Forestry Division)

As an Urban Forestry crew member, you will be responsible for the care and removal of city trees! You will also gain valuable experience and training to advance your career in urban forestry through our career path.

Are you already experienced in tree care? Do you possess experience with an aerial lift truck? You may be eligible for additional compensation!

URBAN FORESTRY DIVISION

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED POSITION

ANNUAL SALARY

HOURLY SALARY

Apply with one- year of experience in tree care operations. GROUNDS OPERATIONS SPECIALIST $40,620.00 $19.53

Apply with three years of experience in tree care operations. PRUNING SPECIALIST $41,781.00 $20.09 Apply with three years of experience in tree care operations and one-year of documentable experience driving and operating an aerial lift truck. *If you possess a CDL, you will be eligible for an additional $10,000 enhancement! AERIAL LIFT SPECIALIST $46,062.00 $22.15 Apply with three years of experience in tree care operations and one-year of documentable experience driving and operating an aerial lift truck and one-year of documentable tree climbing experience.

• If you possess a CDL, you will be eligible for an additional $10,000 enhancement! CLIMBER $47,398.00 $22.79

Essential Job Functions

• Operates a chainsaw, brush chipper, stump grinder, and other related equipment
• Inspects and maintains assigned equipment
• Coordinates with team members to carry out tree maintenance tasks efficiently and safely.
• Conducts pre- and -post operation inspections and performs routine maintenance on all assigned tools and machinery.
• Participates in routine urban forestry tasks such as planting, stump grinding, and cleanup of work sites to support the department's tree care goals.
• Responds to after-hours emergency calls related to storm damage, downed trees or limbs, or hazardous conditions as needed.
• Serves on the City's critical response team.

Additional Essential Job Functions - Pruning Specialist:

• Prunes trees using professional tree pruning standards.

Additional Essential Job Functions - Aerial Lift Specialist:

• Drives and operates aerial lift equipment and chainsaws to prune trees or remove hazardous trees and limbs from public spaces and right of ways.
• Install and utilize ropes and rigging systems to manage controlled limb removal and minimize risk to nearby structures.

Additional Essential Job Functions - Climber:

• Performs tree climbing and aerial lift operations to prune trees or remove hazardous trees and limbs from public spaces and right of ways.
• Climbs trees with or without the use of spikes using the latest industry standards for professionalism and safety.

Minimum Qualifications

Grounds Operations Specialist:

• Highschool diploma or GED equivalent; one - year experience in tree care operations preferred.

Pruning Specialist:

• High school diploma or GED equivalent; three years of experience in tree care operations; or any equivalent combination of education, training, or experience.

Aerial Lift Specialist:

• High school diploma or GED equivalent; one-year documentable experience driving and operating an aerial lift truck; three years of experience in tree care operations; or any equivalent combination of education, training, or experience.

Class B Commercial Driver's License strongly preferred.

Climber:

• High school diploma or GED equivalent; one-year documentable tree climbing experience; one-year documentable experience driving and operating an aerial lift truck; three years of experience in tree care operations; or any equivalent combination of education, training, or experience.

Class B Commercial Driver's License strongly preferred.

Additional Information

• Knowledge of tree care and removal procedures and safety techniques.
• Knowledge of tree species.
• Knowledge of the city's emergency response plan as it relates to the assigned area.
• Skill in the operation of chainsaws, pole saws, bucket trucks, chippers, stump grinders, and other job-related equipment.
• Skill in the maintenance and repair of assigned vehicles and equipment.
• Skill in oral and written communication.

Additional Information for Pruning Specialist:

• Knowledge of rigging, ropes and knots used in tree care work.

Additional Information for Aerial Lift Specialist:

• Knowledge of tree species, tree biology, tree identification and diagnosing tree problems.

Additional Information for Climber:

• Knowledge of tree species, tree biology, tree identification and diagnosing tree problems.
• Must demonstrate the ability to safely access and work in a tree according to all ANSI standards

Minimum Standards for Grounds Operations Specialist, Pruning Specialist, Aerial Lift Specialist, or Climber:

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: The Maintenance Crew Chief assigns work in terms of general instructions. The supervisor spot-checks completed work for compliance with procedures, accuracy, and the nature and propriety of the final results.

GUIDELINES: Guidelines include tree pruning guidelines, tree removal guidelines, service request procedures, and city and department policies. These guidelines are generally clear and specific but may require some interpretation in application.

COMPLEXITY: The work consists of related tree care and removal duties. Regular and repetitive tasks, processes, or operations requiring the selection and execution of actions based on defined procedures. The dangers inherent in the job contribute to the complexity of the position.

SCOPE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this position is to participate in the care and removal of city trees. Assisting and supporting others or individually providing data or facilitating services for use by others; minor to moderate consequence. Successful performance in this position contributes to the safety of life and property in the City of Savannah.

PERSONAL CONTACTS: Regular contact within the department and other departments, outside agencies, and the general public (supplying or seeking information) on specialized matters. Contacts are typically with co-workers, other city employees, utility company employees, and members of the general public.

PURPOSE OF CONTACTS: Contacts are typically to give or exchange information, provide services, and resolve problems.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work is typically performed while intermittently sitting, standing, stooping, walking, bending, or crouching. The employee frequently lifts light and heavy objects, climbs ladders, and uses tools or equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity. This is medium work requiring the exertion of 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work is typically performed outdoors. The employee may be exposed to noise, dust, dirt, grease, machinery with moving parts, cold or inclement weather. The work requires the use of protective devices. One or more disagreeable elements (dust, heat, fumes, cold, noise, vibration or wetness) are regularly present and objectionable, or continuing exposure to work situations that could result in incapacitating accidents or periodic exposure to situations involving hazards that could result in total disability, critical illness, or loss of life.

SUPERVISORY AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY: None.