Medium Equipment Operator- Urban Forestry

Performs intermediate semiskilled work operating medium motorized equipment for tree care operations and related work as apparent or assigned. Work is performed under the limited supervision of the Urban Forestry Supervisor.  

Qualification Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required.   Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Operates various medium motorized equipment such as a slope mower and stump grinder.
• Operates a boom truck for log pick-up and other equipment related to tree care operations, including chainsaws and chippers.
• Assists with tree removal, tree planting, and tree pruning as needed.
• Performs manual labor such as watering trees and mulching.
• Maintains equipment and makes minor repairs to equipment when necessary.

Education and Experience: High school diploma or GED and considerable experience working with motorized equipment, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in tree and grounds preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Thorough knowledge of related industry, organization, and department policies, practices, and procedures; thorough knowledge of tree and grounds maintenance; thorough knowledge of operating and maintaining medium tree care and  maintenance equipment such as a slope mower, boom truck, and stump grinder; ability to understand and follow as well as to communicate simple oral and written directions, possess a basic mechanical aptitude; ability to work extended hours and be on call; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, the general public.

Physical Requirements: This work requires the frequent exertion of up to 25 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 50 pounds of force; work regularly requires speaking or hearing and using hands to finger, handle or feel, frequently requires standing, walking, tasting or smelling and repetitive motions and occasionally requires sitting, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling and lifting; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, using of measuring devices, assembly or fabrication of parts within arm’s length, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work frequently requires working near moving mechanical parts and exposure to outdoor weather conditions and occasionally requires wet, humid conditions (non-weather), exposure to fumes or airborne particles, exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, exposure to the risk of electrical shock, working with explosives and exposure to bloodborne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment; work is generally in a loud noise location (e.g. grounds maintenance, heavy traffic).

Special Requirements

Upon hire:

• Valid commercial driver's license with Class B endorsement
• Availability to work extended hours
• Ability to be on call