This position performs skilled and semi-skilled maintenance work for the City of Valdosta Arbor Division. The employee assists with the planting, pruning, maintenance, removal, and care of trees and vegetation on City property, rights-of-way, medians, parks, drainage areas, and other City-maintained locations. Work includes operating arboriculture equipment and hand tools, maintaining work areas and equipment, responding to storm and emergency tree-related needs, and supporting safe, attractive, and healthy urban forest conditions.

· Performs routine tree pruning and structural maintenance, including crown cleaning, clearance pruning, removal of dead or hazardous limbs, and other work within the employee's level of training.

· Assists with tree removals, including cutting, rigging, chipping, hauling, and cleanup of trees and limbs from City property and rights-of-way.

· Operates and assists with chippers, chainsaws, pole saws, brush cutters, stump grinders, loaders, trucks, trailers, and other arboriculture equipment as authorized and trained.

· Plants, stakes, mulches, waters, and maintains trees and other landscape plantings on City property.

· Performs routine inspections of City trees and reports hazardous conditions, tree defects, disease or insect concerns, storm damage, and maintenance needs to the supervisor.

· Removes fallen trees, limbs, brush, and storm debris from streets, sidewalks, drainage areas, parks, easements, and other City-maintained property.

· Maintains required clearance from streets, sidewalks, signs, streetlights, utilities, buildings, drainage structures, and other public infrastructure while performing tree work.

· Assists with right-of-way, median, park, drainage, and other vegetation maintenance, including removal of vines, invasive vegetation, and obstructive growth.

· Provides traffic and pedestrian control around work zones and follows approved work-zone safety procedures.

· Loads, secures, transports, unloads, and disposes of wood, brush, mulch, and other debris in accordance with City procedures.

· Performs routine inspection, cleaning, lubrication, and minor maintenance of assigned vehicles, tools, and equipment and reports mechanical problems to the supervisor.

· Uses proper personal protective equipment and follows City safety procedures, arboricultural safety practices, traffic-control requirements, and equipment operating procedures.

· Assists other Engineering and City crews when needed, including stormwater-related maintenance and emergency response activities.

· Maintains accurate work records and communicates completed work, equipment issues, hazards, and service needs to the supervisor.

· Responds to emergency and storm-related tree hazards as assigned, including after-hours or weekend response when required by City operations.

· Performs other related duties as assigned.

· Basic knowledge of tree biology, pruning practices, tree planting, tree care, and common urban tree maintenance principles.

· Basic knowledge of arboriculture tools, equipment, personal protective equipment, and safe work practices.

· Knowledge of traffic and pedestrian safety procedures for work performed in or near public rights-of-way.

· Knowledge of City policies and procedures applicable to public property, work zones, equipment, and employee safety.

· Basic knowledge of common tree pests, diseases, defects, and hazardous tree conditions.

· Skill in the safe operation of chainsaws, pole saws, chippers, brush cutters, hand tools, and other assigned equipment.

· Skill in operating assigned City vehicles, trucks, trailers, and equipment.

· Ability to recognize common tree defects and hazardous conditions and promptly report them.

· Ability to follow verbal and written instructions and work effectively as part of a crew.

· Ability to communicate professionally with coworkers, supervisors, residents, contractors, and the general public.

· Basic decision-making and problem-solving skills.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

· The ability to read, write, and perform basic mathematical calculations at a level commonly associated with completion of high school or equivalent.

· Previous experience in arboriculture, tree maintenance, landscaping, public works, construction, or related outdoor maintenance is preferred but not required.

· Possession of, or ability to readily obtain, a valid driver's license issued by the State of Georgia for the type of vehicle operated.

· Possession of, or ability to obtain, a commercial driver's license (CDL) when required for assigned vehicles or equipment.

· Ability to obtain required City safety, equipment-operation, traffic-control, and arboriculture training within established timeframes.

· Ability to work safely at heights and around heavy equipment when properly trained and authorized.

· Ability to work varied schedules, including emergency, storm, early-morning, or after-hours response when required by City operations.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

· Six months or more of experience in tree care, arboriculture, landscaping, parks maintenance, public works, or a related field.

· Experience operating chainsaws, chippers, aerial equipment, stump grinders, loaders, or similar arboriculture equipment.

· Experience working in public rights-of-way or around traffic and pedestrians.

· Basic knowledge of common trees and shrubs found in South Georgia.