Tree Pruner II (Eligible for up to $1,000 in bonuses)

This is the third and full journey-level class in the Tree Pruner series. Incumbents work under direction and are expected to perform skilled tree pruning work. Work in this class is distinguished from that of Tree Pruner I by the greater complexity of the work and by the greater independence with which an incumbent is expected to operate. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are filled by advancement from the lower level class of Tree Pruner I. Appointment to the class of Tree Pruner II requires that the employee be performing substantially the full range of duties for the class and meet the qualification standards for the class.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Lead direction is provided by the Senior Tree Pruner class. No supervisory responsibilities are included in the duties.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following duties are typical for this classification.  Incumbents may not perform all the listed duties and/or may be required to perform related duties as needed:

• Climb trees using ropes, cables, climbing saddles, and spurs and operate aerial tower truck to remove undesired branches, limbs, and trees; lower removed portions to the ground with bull ropes.
• Operate chain and hand saws, power or pole pruners, axes, and other hand tools for felling trees or cutting felled trees; operate chipper and brush truck.
• Remove overhanging branches and split or broken limbs after a storm.
• Prune trees for clearance of overhead utility facilities excluding high voltage line clearance.
• Sharpen and maintain tools, ropes, and other safety equipment.
• Participate in planting, transplanting and seeding of trees.
• Operate boom trucks, loaders, stump chippers, brush chippers, tractors, power saws, trucks, sprayers, and other equipment and tools.
• Clean, sharpen, and lubricate tools and equipment.
• Cut away dead and excess branches from trees, or clear branches around power lines, using climbing equipment or buckets of extended truck booms, and/or chainsaws, hooks, handsaws, shears, and clippers.
• Trim, top, and reshape trees to achieve attractive shapes or to remove low hanging branches.
• Prune, cut down, fertilize, and spray trees as directed by tree surgeons.
• Hoist tools and equipment to tree trimmers, and lower branches with ropes or block and tackle.
• Operate shredding and chipping equipment, and feed limbs and brush into the machines.
• Load debris and refuse onto trucks and haul it away for disposal.
• Collect debris and refuse from tree trimming and removal operations into piles, using shovels, rakes or other tools.
• Clear sites, streets, and grounds of woody and herbaceous materials, such as tree stumps and fallen trees and limbs.
• Remove broken limbs from wires, using hood extension poles.
• Trim jagged stumps, using saws or pruning shears.
• Operate a vehicle mounted work planning computer.
   

 

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Climbing techniques and proper use and care of tree pruning equipment.
• Common hazards incurred in climbing, pruning, and felling trees and safety precautions to be observed.
• Safety rules and practices used in operating and maintaining tree pruning equipment and trucks.
• Common knots and rope ties used in tree pruning work.
• Planting, transplanting, and seeding methods.
• Methods used to protect trees from fungi and insects.
• Common names and growth characteristics of trees grown in the City of Sacramento.
• Common insect and disease problems which affect trees in the City of Sacramento.
• Tree pruning techniques and practices used by the City Tree Section.

Ability to:

• Climb trees and work at heights, sometimes in precarious positions and under adverse weather conditions.
• Learn to use tree pruning and maintenance equipment.
• Follow oral and written instructions.
• Operate tree pruning equipment in a safe and efficient manner.
• Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Maintain periodic updated CPR and first aid training.
• Obtain a California Class B Driver License by the end of probationary period.
• Climb and prune trees using ropes, cables, climbing saddles, and spurs with greater independence and less lead supervision than the Tree Pruner Trainee.
• Operate aerial tower truck.
• Operate a computer.
• Operate chain and hand saws, power or pole pruners, axes, and other hand tools used in tree pruning and maintenance work.
• Perform journey-level work without direct supervision in pruning and removing City trees.

Experience:
Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Three years of qualifying experience pruning or removing large trees.

Tracey Huerta