Job Summary

Under supervision of the Urban Forestry Supervisor, this position performs a variety of tasks related to tree maintenance.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Prunes and removes trees, in accordance with Parks Department, and forestry industry, standards, from the ground and by using an aerial lift or tree-climbing techniques.
• Performs a variety of arboricultural practices, including tree health assessment and hazard evaluation.
• Operates, maintains and performs minor repairs to a variety of arboricultural equipment, including brush chipper, stump-cutter, articulating boom, skid steer and front-end loader.
• Assists with the supervision and training of assigned staff.
• Provides information to, and responds to enquiries from, the public regarding tree-related concerns.
• Maintains records related to the operation of the program, work order system and related inventories.
• Ensures adherence to safety policies, work procedures, Departmental policies and related legislation.
• Participates in public education and awareness programs related to tree care.
• Assists with the development of short- and long-range planning for the maintenance of trees.
• Supports and promotes a safe and positive workplace culture through a variety of initiatives and activities.
• Supports and promotes the health and safety of employees in accordance with the Occupational Health & Safety Act & Regulations in addition to the City of Saskatoon’s Administrative Health & Safety Policies and departmental procedures.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Grade 12 education.
• Possession of, and the ability to maintain, the Certified Arborist designation from the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA).
• Three years’ current tree maintenance experience.
• Successful completion of internal Elevated Work Platform Training within 6 months.
• Successful completion of, or ability to complete successfully, a recognized aerial lift training course.
• Possession of a valid Saskatchewan Class 5 Driver’s Licence.
• Possession of, or the ability to obtain within six months of the date of hire, a valid Saskatchewan Class 3A Driver’s Licence.
• Current driver’s abstract from SGI demonstrating a safe driving record.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid recognized first aid and CPR certificate.
• Thorough knowledge of and demonstrated ability to identify tree species.
• Demonstrated ability to understand and apply arboriculture and tree-climbing principles, practices and techniques to the pruning, planting and general maintenance of trees.
• Demonstrated ability to recognize hazardous tree situations, e.g. electrical lines, wasp nests and structural tree weaknesses.
• Demonstrated ability to recognize and recommend control of common insects and diseases affecting trees.
• Ability to operate, and perform minor repairs to, chipper, stump-cutter, tree-spade equipment and various hand tools.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public and other civic employees.
• Physical ability to perform the assigned duties.

Additional Requirements

Hours Of Work:

• Shift work and weekend work may be involved.
• Stand-by is mandatory for designated employees when operationally required. The employee must report to work immediately and be fit for duty.