Full Time Tree Maintenance Supervisor

Under direction, supervises and works with crews engaged in tree and shrub maintenance activities. Performs skilled arboricultural work, including climbing trees when necessary. Performs related duties as required. Supervises and actively participates in comprehensive tree, shrub, and grounds maintenance operations, including supervising work operations and functional programs and effectively recommending hiring, promotion, demotion, discipline, and termination of employees. Duties include climbing trees using approved climbing gear (saddle, rope, ladder, hooks, and belts) or operating from a vertical lift truck when climbing is unsafe; pruning, trimming, topping, and removing trees; cutting down trees; and removing dead, diseased, or hazardous limbs in accordance with established industry standards and safety guidelines using pole shears, chain saws, hand saws, axes, wedges, and related equipment. Installs guying and bracing to prevent wind damage and promote proper growth; uses ropes, pulleys, knots, and rigging techniques to safely lower limbs and tree tops; bags and transplants trees and shrubs with burlap and hand tools; plants trees and shrubs by digging holes, setting plants, backfilling, watering, and bracing; applies fertilizers; and, when certified and authorized, mixes and applies pre-measured chemicals, herbicides, and pesticides according to specific directions to control pests, disease, brush, and weeds. Visually inspects trees and shrubs to diagnose disease, infestation, storm damage, or unsafe conditions; performs minor maintenance on tools and equipment; ensures all safety procedures, rules, and regulations are followed; may operate motor vehicles and light construction equipment on a limited basis; and supervises and may perform related grounds maintenance tasks such as seeding, sodding, mowing, brush cutting, refuse loading and unloading, and snow removal.

Knowledge of safe work practices for climbing, pruning, topping, felling, and rigging trees; operation of motorized hand equipment such as chain saws, chippers, stump grinders, and related tools; NJDOT traffic control guidelines for work in public rights-of-way; established forestry and arboricultural industry standards; methods, tools, materials, and equipment used in tree and shrub maintenance; occupational hazards and required safety precautions; common tree species and structure; knots, hitches, and rigging techniques; and safety precautions and clearance requirements when working near energized electrical power lines.

Ability to safely climb trees using approved equipment; work safely at heights and around energized electrical lines when assigned; operate power and hand tools; supervise employees by assigning work and evaluating performance; perform physical labor involving lifting, pushing, and pulling heavy objects; tie and use required knots for tree maintenance operations; prepare clear and accurate written reports; maintain records and files using electronic and manual systems; and read, write, speak, and understand English (or communicate effectively using American Sign Language or Braille) to perform job duties.

Requirements:

Experience: Three (3) years of experience in the care and maintenance of trees and shrubs, including the use and/or operation of manual or mechanical equipment used to climb trees. One (1) year of the required experience must have been in a lead worker or assistant supervisory capacity.

Note: This is a union, Civil Service position offering full County benefits.

License: A valid New Jersey driver’s license is required when vehicle operation is necessary to perform essential job duties. Appointees may be required to possess a valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and applicable endorsements for the class and type of vehicle being operated. Appointees may be required to obtain a Pesticide Applicator Certification issued by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

NJ residency and possession of a NJ Driver’s License is required. County residency is preferred.

To Apply For This Position:

If you qualify and would like to be considered, submit a letter of interest and your resume (including daytime phone number and email address) to the email address listed below. You must submit your response by the closing date shown above and indicate the job title in the subject line.

Email: Natacha Moore, natacham@passaiccountynj.org

Newly hired employees must agree to a thorough background check that may include fingerprinting. Any appointments made from posting which involve movement between unit scopes, may result in a forfeiture of rights to any promotional list in a former unit scope. As of September 2010, in accordance with N.J.S.A 52:14-7, the “New Jersey First Act,” all new employees must reside in the State of New Jersey, unless exempted under the law. If you do not live in New Jersey, you have one year after you begin employment to relocate your residence to New Jersey or secure an exemption.