Park Maintenance Worker / Arborist Technician

City of McPherson Park Department

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the supervision of the Park Supervisor, the Park Maintenance Worker/Arborist Technician is a non-exempt position under FLSA. This position assists with maintaining city parks and facilities, performing mowing duties, and maintaining department equipment and provides a platform for personal and professional growth. This position serves as the City Arborist. This employee should possess a solid mechanical aptitude, effective communication, and public relations skills, setting the stage for their continuous development and advancement within our team.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

· Performs repairs and maintenance to park buildings, public grounds, and shelters.

· Works with staff to design, layout, and care of the city’s Tree City USA Program.

· Responsible for the application of chemicals, including insecticides, growth regulators, and

fertilizers to plans;

· Prune dead, diseased, or broken limbs from trees utilizing rope, saddle, chain, hand saw, and other equipment involved in extensive tree care (more than 70’) and minor tree maintenance.

· Inspect and identify tree diseases and insects of the area, distinguishing between biotic and abiotic conditions such as beneficial insects and environmental stress, which is frequent in the McPherson area.

· Take samples from diseased or insect-infested trees for laboratory analysis.

· Perform duties related to tree maintenance, including insect and disease identification and control, removals, pruning, planting, stumping, cabling/bracing, watering/fertilizing, and pesticide application.

· Reviews Tree Care licensing applications for appropriate requirements;

· Conducts inspections to ensure compliance with licensing requirements and with the assistance of the City Attorney initiates legal procedures available to the City as indicated;

· Work with City Code Enforcement Officer to enforce tree related City Codes and Ordinances;

· May perform data entry and design spreadsheets for the department.

· The purchases department supplies and maintains inventory.

· Performs landscaping and tree trimming.

· Performs mowing duties; Performs irrigation repairs.

· Responsible for the repairs and maintenance of city fencing, including split rail and chain link;

· Operate a wide variety of heavy mechanized equipment to prune and remove trees and shrubbery, including a mobile aerial tower unit, log loader trucks, tandem trucks, crane trucks, water trucks, trash trucks, front-end loaders, skid steers, tractors, stump grinders, and chippers.

· Performs tree removal from city grounds.

· Performs snow removal from city sidewalks and other areas as assigned;

· Follows department policies and procedures;

· Follows safety procedures and practices.

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS

· Responsible for maintenance of department trucks, tractors, pumps, and small engines.· · Assists with wild animal and mosquito control;

· Performs other duties as deemed necessary or assigned.

Classification

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NON-EXEMPT

APPLICABLE

ELIGIBLE

ELIGIBLE

BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS

CONFINED SPACES

HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS

ADVERSE WEATHER

MANUAL LABOR

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Experience: One to three years of similar or related experience is required. One (1) year of experience in tree identification, diagnosis, and management of abiotic and biotic plant stresses and advanced tree pruning and removing techniques. The employee is expected to have acquired the necessary information and skills to perform the job reasonably well within six months to one year of employment. Experience with Tree Keeper (tree inventory program) and Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook

Education: A high school diploma or G.E.D. is required. Continuing education in a related field is expected. This employee will be required to possess a valid Kansas Commercial Driver’s License (C.D.L.) within 6 months of employment unless there is an exception granted by the City
Commission) and have and maintain a good driving record. This employee may be required to possess or obtain the following certifications within one year of hire. Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO) Certification, Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) Certification, Pesticide Applicator Certifications (1D, 2,3A, 3B, 3C, 5, 9A). The employee must have or obtain the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Tree Worker Climber Specialist or Aerial Lift Specialist certification before the completion of the probation period. Licenses and certifications must be kept current as a condition of employment.

Technical Skills: An employee should possess a strong mechanical aptitude and thorough knowledge of maintenance and repair techniques. The ability to maintain city trees and shrubs is required. Furthermore, a comprehensive understanding of horticulture, plant, tree, and shrub maintenance, fertilizer, and pesticide applications is also required. A working knowledge of mathematics and computers is expected. This employee must be able to operate greenhouse furnaces, evaporative coolers, sprayers, misters, domestic fertilizer injectors, greenhouse alarms, irrigation controllers, soil sterilizers, hedge trimmers, tillers, small tractors, mowers, hand tools, weed eaters, trucks, chain saws, computers, printers, and other department equipment. The ability to follow department policies and procedures and to read and interpret written instructions, reports, and manuals is required. Must follow safety procedures at all times.

Problem Solving: This position involves independent problem-solving. This employee encounters problems with mechanical greenhouse malfunctions, insects, plant diseases, vandalism to city flowerbeds, and weather delays.

Decision Making: This position involves independent decision-making. This employee makes decisions about designing city flowerbeds, ordering plant materials and greenhouse supplies, using chemicals and fertilizers, prioritizing daily assignments, and performing daily duties in the safest and most efficient manner.

Supervision: This employee works with occasional supervision from the Public Lands and Facilities Director and Park Supervisor. This employee supervises part-time, temporary or seasonal subordinate personnel.

Financial Accountability: This employee is responsible for safely operating department equipment. This employee does have the authority to purchase necessary supplies. This employee does not participate in the annual budget process.

Personal Relations: Daily contact with the public, co-workers, and supervisory personnel is expected.

Working Conditions: This position has some adverse working conditions. Employees are expected to be exposed to blood-borne pathogens, hazardous chemicals, heavy equipment, excessive noise, work in confined spaces, heights, and all-weather conditions.

Physical Requirements: Manual labor, including lifting and carrying heavy objects, bending, kneeling, extensive walking, and the ability to operate departmental equipment, is required daily in this position.

***The specific statements in this description are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria considered necessary to perform the job successfully.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $18.13 - $24.37 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Experience:

• Maintenance: 1 year (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• McPherson, KS 67460 (Required)

Work Location: In person