HomeMy WebLinkAboutSenior MW - ForestryUpdated: March 2024
CITY OF IOWA CITY – JOB DESCRIPTION
Posi�on Title: Senior Maintenance Worker – Forestry
Department: Parks & Recrea�on
Division: Parks & Forestry
Supervisor: Superintendent of Parks & Forestry
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Civil Service: Yes
Pay Grade: 12
Job Number: 1208
Job Summary
Under general direc�on, performs skilled and supervisory work of a specialized and technical
nature in the care and maintenance of the City’s tree resource and landscape plan�ngs located
in the City right-of-way, parks and other public areas. Assists Parks and Central Business District
opera�ons as required.
Essen�al Job Du�es and Responsibili�es
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive
or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
• Iden�fies, directs and performs plan�ng, pruning, removal and maintenance of trees
located in the City right-of-way, parks and other public areas.
• Iden�fies, directs and performs transplan�ng of trees and shrubs from the City nursery
to public areas, by loca�ng the appropriate plan�ng spaces and iden�fying u�lity and
tree conflicts.
• Monitors City nursery inventories; orders nursery stock; reports on available
transplan�ng stock; and maintains trees by mechanical, chemical or other means.
• Ini�ates, prepares and supervises contracts for tree trimming, removal, plan�ng, and
pest control.
• Inspects complaints of viola�ons of forestry ordinances and ini�ates proper enforcement
procedures.
• Serves as technical consultant to City departments on trees and plant materials, plant
design, selec�on, iden�fica�on and maintenance.
• Assists in maintaining a computerized service request and street tree inventory; inspects
service requests; and closely monitors the issuance of private trim no�ces for private
trees and plant material.
• Dis�nguishes approxima�ons of property lines and/or boundary lines.
• Maintains appropriate records of daily work for monthly and other periodic reports as
required, including requests for tree plan�ng or removal, stump removal, and tree
pruning.
• Operates and supervises the opera�on of various equipment including bucket truck,
chipper truck, chipper, tree spade, tractors, loaders, spray equipment and other
specialized equipment related to Forestry prac�ces.
Updated: March 2024
• Responds to emergency situa�ons involving clean-up, pruning and removal of storm
damaged trees.
• Assists other divisions, contractors and agencies as needed.
• Works with members of public, contractors, other City staff and u�lity companies
rela�ve to division projects and needs.
• Assists in monitoring and preparing the annual opera�ng budget.
• Develops divisional goals and objec�ves.
• Supervises and performs snow and ice removal for trails, pedestrian areas and parking
lots, storm damage clean-up, and ice-ska�ng area maintenance.
• Performs du�es in a safe manner and par�cipates in safety training, ensures safety
protocol is followed.
• Conducts self in a manner which promotes and supports diversity and inclusivity in the
workplace and community.
• Performs other du�es as assigned.
Minimum Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other
• Associate’s degree from an accredited educational institution and one year of related
experience; or three years of related experience and/or equivalent combination of
education and experience. Degree in Forestry or related. Experience in urban forestry.
• State of Iowa Ornamental and Turf Pes�cide Applicator’s Cer�fica�on within 6 months of
hire. Interna�onal Society of Arboriculture arborist cer�ficate within one year of hire.
Sa�sfactory driving record. Valid State of Iowa commercial driver’s license instruc�on
permit upon first day in posi�on. Valid State of Iowa Class A commercial driver’s license
with air brake endorsements within 6 months of hire. Meet federal drug tes�ng
requirements. Requires a pre-employment drug screen. Must be 18 years of age. Must
pass criminal background check.
Preferred Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution; or four years of related
experience and/or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Tree Risk Assessment Qualifica�on (TRAQ) training.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abili�es
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions,
propor�ons, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.
• Ability to establish and maintain effec�ve public rela�ons and rela�onships with
supervisors and other employees.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instruc�ons furnished in writen, oral, diagram, or
schedule form.
• Ability to lead, supervise and evaluate the work of subordinate employees.
• Ability to plan, organize and perform daily maintenance schedules to provide for
efficient opera�ons.
Updated: March 2024
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals,
technical procedures, or governmental regula�ons.
• Ability to reliably and predictably carry out du�es.
• Ability to solve prac�cal problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in
situa�ons where only limited standardiza�on exists.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Knowledge of arboricultural techniques including heavy rigging required for removal of
trees and dead or hazardous limbs.
• Knowledge of propaga�ng, cul�va�ng and caring for trees and landscape materials.
• Skill in iden�fying and controlling tree diseases and insect damage.
• Skill in mixing and applying pes�cides and fer�lizers safely and professionally.
• Skill in opera�ng and maintaining forestry and landscaping equipment.
• Skill in using computers and applicable so�ware applica�ons (Microso� Office – Word,
Excel, Outlook).
Supervision
Involves leadership role such as regularly guiding, training, and providing direction to
permanent staff in completing basic, entry-level daily tasks and assignments. Does not carry out
disciplinary action, does not hire or fire, is not responsible for writing or delivering performance
review.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an
employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform
the essential duties and responsibilities.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use
hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally
required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear. The employee
regularly lifts and/or moves 25 pounds and will occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
with or without assistance. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision,
distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee
encounters while performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential
duties and responsibilities.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving
mechanical parts, high or precarious places, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic
chemicals, risk of electrical shock, vibration, confined space, and traffic hazards. The employee
Updated: March 2024
is frequently exposed to outside weather condition, dampness, direct sunlight, dust, pollen,
insect stings, and animals. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud. Involves
more than moderate exposure to dangerous situations. Involves more than moderate exposure
to stress due to the work environment and/or crisis situations.
Iowa City is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities
Act as Amended, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with
disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential
accommodations with the employer.
Reviewed/Approved by: Juli Seydell Johnson, Parks & Recrea�on Director (4/2024)
I have read and understand the duties and requirements of this job description, and I
agree that I can perform the duties of this position with or without reasonable
accommodation.
Employee Date
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