Target Close Date

12/31/2024

Note: This job posting may close before, or be extended beyond, the listed Target Close Date based on the employment needs of the Merit System.

Grade 18

The pay range for the listed pay grade varies depending on the employing agency. Click HERE and then select the desired agency to view the pay range for that employer.

Job Summary

Senior Arborists working in the Merit System supervise and oversee crews of one to four employees involved in tree care operations such as planting, trimming, insect and disease control, and removal of tree limbs and debris. Senior Arborists also ensure the safety of the crew, equipment, public and private property. An employee in this job class plans and carries out successive steps and resolves problems and deviations in accordance with instructions, policies, and accepted practice. Senior Arborists receive work orders verbally and by standard work orders from their supervisor. Senior Arborists are responsible for meeting deadlines on work assignments and are called upon to assist other employees with unusual situations that do not have clear precedents. Their completed work is reviewed for technical conformance and consistency with practice and policy. Work is also reviewed through reports and onsite inspections by the supervisor.

About The Personnel Board Of Jefferson County Merit System

The Personnel Board of Jefferson County (Personnel Board) Merit System is responsible for ensuring fairness and merit in hiring and promotion, avoiding favoritism or political influence. Our goal is to attract and retain qualified and professional employees for the public sector. The Merit System includes a wonderfully diverse set of city governments, ranging from smaller, community-minded towns to vibrant, bustling cities. Our network consists of nearly 8,000 dedicated public servants, who want to make a positive impact on our communities. We offer many rewarding careers, from public safety and city management to IT, healthcare, skilled trades, engineering and more.

a Career Within The Merit System

The Merit System is unique as an individual typically only submits one application for a position (e.g., administrative clerk) and that single application can result in employment opportunities with potentially 23 different cities and agencies within Jefferson County, Alabama. These agencies range from the City of Birmingham and 16 surrounding suburban cities to the Jefferson County Commission, Department of Health, and three additional governmental agencies. In the Merit System, you can enjoy the security and benefits of a public sector job with growth potential. Whether you're passionate about public safety, technology, or anything in between, there's a place for you in the Merit System.

Typical Job Duties

Contributes to the community by planting trees using various hand tools, providing education to local schools, and preparing information about the importance of planting trees to pass on knowledge and importance of trees.
Guides a crew of workers in the removal of trees and limbs by making recommendations for how to approach each job and overseeing work in order to ensure safety regulations are followed.
Examines and maintains all equipment by visually inspecting saws, ropes, climbing gear, and trucks for damage and performing general maintenance such as cleaning, sharpening, and checking fluid levels to ensure that the equipment is ready and safe for use.
Conducts tree removal and trimming at city or county property in a safe manner using a bucket truck, climbing gear, and various saws in order to clear roads and sidewalks that may be blocked by fallen trees, or to prevent hazardous or dead trees from falling and damaging property.
Prioritizes the work to be done for the day by examining work orders, estimating the time requirements to complete the work, planning the route to be taken, and driving to each job site as well as adjusting the workload due to factors such as manpower changes, and special/urgent work orders that may arrive.
Directs the worksite cleanup when a job is complete or before leaving the site by removing debris from work site or piling debris to be removed from the work site using hand tools and knuckle boom loader in order to clear roadways and sidewalks and eliminate danger to the public.

Minimum Qualifications

Must have experience using chainsaws to trim/remove trees.
Experience operating an aerial lift (bucket truck) in order to cut/trim trees.
Class A Commercial Driver's License.
Must obtain an Arborist Certification from the International Society of Arboriculture within one year of employment.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred qualifications are experiences, education, and/or other job-related qualifications considered to be highly desirable by Merit System agencies. One or more of the preferred qualifications may be used by the hiring agency to identify applicants to invite to participate in subsequent selection processes.

Completed coursework in Horticulture or Urban Forestry.
Experience supervising tree crews, debris removal crews, stump grinding crews, etc.

Critical Knowledges

Knowledge of basic preventive maintenance (e.g., check fuels, fluids, oil levels) for heavy duty trucks, vehicles, and equipment (i.e., fire apparatus, tractors and backhoes).
Knowledge of proper planting techniques (e.g., spacing, depth).
Knowledge of safety precautions applicable to tree climbing, including safely using and maintaining climbing gear (e.g., American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards applicable to climbing).
Knowledge of safety standards applicable to tree pruning/trimming and tree removal, including knowledge of proper cutting techniques (e.g., American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards applicable to tree trimming and tree removal).
Knowledge of tree and plant sanitation practices, such as removal of diseased or insect filled limbs, to prevent plant disease and lessen the chance of insect problems.
Knowledge of tree biology including growth patterns, diseases, and properties of wood (e.g., soft woods vs. hard woods, weight/density of limbs, compression/tension, etc).
Knowledge of various plant types and growth patterns including the appropriate methods for planting various plant types.

Work Environment

Work is performed primarily outdoors in all types of weather. Work involves operating heavy equipment used in the removal of trees. Work is conducted at heights up to 75 feet.

Physical Demands

Job involves significant and concerted physical exertion required for regular prolonged periods of carrying, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, or walking. Involves lifting of items or objects weighing up to 50 lbs.

DISCLAIMER: This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of the job duties, responsibilities, or skills and abilities required to do the job and may be changed at the discretion of the Personnel Board at any time.

SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS

Persons requiring special conditions to accommodate a disability when completing the application should contact the Personnel Board at 205-279-3500, Option 1, prior to the target close date.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The Personnel Board of Jefferson County (Personnel Board) provides a public personnel system based on merit principles. The Personnel Board strives for the constant improvement of the public service by employing and developing the best-qualified persons available. The Personnel Board provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, creed, religion, political beliefs, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or genetics.

Employment decisions are made by the Merit System agency where the position exists. Each Merit System agency administers its own equal employment opportunity programs in compliance with applicable state and/or federal laws and regulations.

For more information on this job description, please visit http://www.pbjcal.org/employment/Descriptions

Disclaimer

This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of the job duties, responsibilities, or skills and abilities required to do the job and may be changed at the discretion of the Personnel Board at any time.

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Personnel Board of Jefferson County

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