Job Classification:             Forestry Technician I

Department/Division                    Public Works/Forestry

Employment Status:                      Full-time

Hourly Salary:                                $24.8665-$37.0561/hr. +/-DOQ/Grade 7

FLSA:                                              Non-Exempt

Union:                                             SEIU Local 73

Employment Commission:            N/A

The Village of Oak Park, Illinois is accepting applications to fill one open position in the Forestry Division of the Public Works Department as either a Forestry Technician I or Forestry Technician II. Oak Park is a dynamic and historic community, located just 8 miles west of downtown Chicago. The Village of Oak Park’s Forestry Division manages the Village’s urban forest of more than 18,000 parkway trees as well as more than 100 various public landscaped areas.

POSITION SUMMARY:

This is the entry-level class within the Urban Forestry Worker series. Employees within this class are distinguished from the Urban Forestry Worker II by the performance of more routine tasks including basic tree and shrub pruning and removal, setting up and maintaining a safe work zone, and basic forestry ground work including bucking logs and chipping brush. Employee at this level receive instruction or assistance from the Maintenance Crew Chief as new or unusual situations arise.

Possession of an Illinois Class B Commercial Driver license with a Tanker Endorsement and without an Air Brake Restriction within six months and is a condition of continued employment. Possession of a Certified Pesticide Operators License or higher from the Illinois Department of Agriculture within six (6) months of hire and is a condition of continued employment. Working conditions include travel from site to site, some exposure to dust and noise, some heavy lifting, standing, climbing and work in inclement weather conditions. This position is subject to 24-hour call out in emergency situations.

For additional information on the position visit our website at http://www.oak-park.us/jobs. Applications and resumes may also be submitted by mail to: Human Resources, Village of Oak Park, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302; by email to: [email protected] ; or by fax to: 708-358-5107. The Village of Oak Park offers a highly competitive benefit package including but not limited to a retirement plan, deferred compensation program, social security, medical, dental, vision & life insurance, flexible spending accounts, vacation and sick leave.

Job Description

FLSA: Non-exempt

Pay Grade: 7

Hours: 40 per week

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

DEFINITION

To perform unskilled and semi-skilled work in the cultivation and maintenance of trees and landscaped areas; and to perform a variety of technical tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the entry-level class within the Urban Forestry Worker series. Employees within this class are distinguished from the Urban Forestry Worker II by the performance of more routine tasks including basic tree and shrub pruning and removal, setting up and maintaining a safe work zone, and basic forestry ground work including bucking logs and chipping brush. Employees at this level receive instruction or assistance from the Maintenance Crew Chief as new or unusual situations arise.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from the Urban Forestry Superintendent; Receives general direction from the Maintenance Crew Chief (Urban Forestry)

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES - Essential and other important duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential duties and responsibilities

1. Prune, plant, and maintain trees and shrubs.

2. Remove dead, diseased, or hazardous trees.

3. Maintain various landscaped areas, rake leaves and clear debris and litter from parking lots, walks and other facilities.

4. With training, competently and safely operate moderately heavy and light equipment including: front end loaders, log loaders, chippers, stumpers, chain saws and other forestry and landscape related equipment.

5. Apply pesticides and chemicals for insect, disease and weedcontrol.

6. Perform preventive maintenance on equipment as required.

7. Perform heavy physical labor.

8. Ensure the adherence to safe work policies andprocedures.

9. Work overtime as required. This position is subject to 24 hour call out in emergency situations.

Other important responsibilities and duties:

1. Participate as a plow driver as part of the Snow and Ice Control Program.

2. Respond to public inquiries in a courteous manner; providing appropriate information.

3. Perform related duties and responsibilities as required

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Safe work practices.
• Modern methods and techniques of tree pruning, removal and planting.
• Modern methods and techniques of landscape maintenance, and pesticide applications.
• Operational characteristics of mechanical equipment and tools used in the area of work assigned.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices necessary in the area of work assigned.

Ability to:

• Ensure that best in class customer service is provided to both internal and external customers and also embrace, support, and promote the Village’s core values, beliefs, and culture.
• Perform skilled tree maintenance or landscaping work as assigned
• Learn to operate bucket trucks according to ANSI standards Z133.
• Learn to climb in safe practice according to ANSI standards Z133.
• Perform preventive maintenance and troubleshoot issues with mechanical equipment as required.
• Work independently in the absence of supervision for short periods of time.
• Learn to use and operate hand tools, power tools, chainsaws, and mechanical equipment including aerial lift truck, log loader, front-end loader, stump grinder and chipper in a safe and efficient manner.
• Operate a variety of mechanical equipment in a safe and effective manner in routine situations.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Perform a variety of manual tasks, sometimes at height, for extended periods of time and in unfavorable weather conditions.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain interpersonal skills in the workplace to effectively communicate and interact with others.
• Maintain reasonable and predictable attendance

Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities which may include the following:

• Sitting for extended periods of time
• Operating assigned equipment.​

Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for:

• Making observations
• Communicating with others
• Reading and writing
• Operating assigned equipment

Experience and Training Guidelines

Experience: One year of professional experience in urban forestry /arboriculture AND

Training: Demonstrated formal and/or documented informal education providing knowledge of urban forestry. Additional specialized training in horticulture or a related field is desirable.