PRIMARY FUNCTION

• Supervise staff and temporary employees as assigned to the Tree Crew. Lead the work teams engaged in all types of practical tree care including tree climbing and tree climber training.
• Work in the interface between the city street trees, park land and privately-owned property to decrease and mitigate the City of Wilmington’s exposure to the risks and liabilities associated with the tree failures. This position reports to the City Forester.

PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Performs work aloft climbing in trees (climbing and in lift truck); utilizes specialized tree climbing techniques to prune, remove and perform general maintenance duties as assigned on park and street trees. Report and inventory hand-tool allotments.
• Tree Related Emergency Storm Response (clears fallen and storm damaged trees and brush from city and state Right-of-Way, roads, trails, bike paths, creeks and buildings).
• Assists with Public Outreach and Education programs; assist with Arbor Day Programs; assist with Green jobs Programing and work with school aged children, and adult volunteer groups.
• Update City Tree Inventory (inputs tree measurement data into the city GIS records).
• Train subordinates and evaluate the performance of employees daily to ensure workplace and public safety, efficiency of jobsite performance and completion of tasks as assigned.
• Respond promptly to constituent and inter-departmental tree related requests. Performs all related work as required.
• Possess and maintain a valid "CDL" Class “B” driver's license with an active medical examiner’s certificate, a good driving record, and ability to pass drug screening mandated by Federal Department of Transportation for CDL drivers.
• Required to attend Continuing Education and Safety Training annually.
• Obtain the International Society of Arboriculture Tree Worker Certification within one year of employment.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Graduation from high school or GED equivalency with at least 2 years tree climbing experience, some supervisory experience; or any equivalent combination of experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Knowledge of tree climbing techniques and capability to practices the procedures required to safely complete general tree care and removal daily. Those practices include and are not limited to the following: Some experience operating up to date and industry standard arborist climbing and rigging gear and equipment; working aloft in trees should happen 3/week and have a duration of 1-4hrs daily.
• Operate a commercial vehicle (Aerial Lift Truck and Chipper); operate and maintain Chainsaws and small engine equipment; operate and maintain landscaping hand tools; operate backhoe and/or skid loader; operate and inspect Wood Chippers, operate and inspect Tree Stump Grinders and Ability to use an IPAD, Android Table or Laptop to input tree related measurement data, check and respond to emails and CityWorks requests.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Work normally involves field environment, hazardous working conditions, or physical effort. Utilize specialize tree climbing techniques. Exposure to dirt, dust, heights (sometimes exceeding 60 feet, moving parts. Employee is occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Normally bending, dig, climbing, and working in nature around insect and wildlife.

Must pass a criminal background investigation, pre-employment physical, and drug test.

Equal Opportunity Employer

THE CITY OF WILMINGTON COMPENSATION PACKAGE

The City of Wilmington is committed to providing a robust healthcare portfolio to meet the needs of our employees and their families and is pleased to offer coverage on your first day of employment. Helping you understand the benefits we offer is important to us. Please refer to our Employee Benefits website to view all healthcare plans, vendor information, resources, and benefit rates.

Medical Insurance: Highmark BCBS of Delaware. City of Wilmington offers 2 medical plans, PPO II (Preferred Provider Organization) and an EPO (Exclusive Provider Organization).

Dental Insurance: MetLife. City of Wilmington offers three dental plans, Dental Plan 1, 2, and 3.

Vision Plan: Unum (Powered by EyeMed). City of Wilmington offers two vision plans, Basic Vision coverage which is available if you enroll in medical insurance. Basic Vision Coverage which is no cost, and the Buy-Up Vision coverage is available at an additional cost.

Additional Benefits: The City of Wilmington also offers other valuable benefits such as Life and AD&D Insurance, Long-Term Disability. Employer Provided HRA’s, Flexible Spending Accounts (medical reimbursement and dependent care), additional whole and term life insurances, short term disability and critical care insurance are also available at an additional cost to the employee.

Opt-Out Cash Back Incentive Program: Employees who choose to enroll in medical or dental coverage other than the City’s and can provide proof of this medical coverage may be eligible to receive additional income.

Wellness: We enjoy staying healthy together! Therefore, we have an engaging calendar of wellness events throughout the year for employees, retirees and their families. To learn more, check out our Employee Perks page.

Sick Leave: Accumulates at the rate of one day for each completed month of service, beginning after the first full month of employment.

Vacation: At least eight (8) hours* of vacation per month after the completion of the first six (6) months* of continuous employment until the next January 1. Each January 1 thereafter, employee will be credited with at least ninety-six (96) hours* of vacation for the calendar year, until the completion of five (5) years of continuous service.

Holiday: Eligible employees receive holiday pay from date of hire, View City Holidays

Life Insurance: The City agrees to provide term life insurance for each eligible employee for a maximum of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) at no cost.

Pension: Eligible employees are able to participate in the State Pension Plan you will contribute 6% of your bi-weekly base pay.

Deferred Compensation Plan: Optional employee contributory plan available.

Live Near Your Work Program: Homebuyer Assistance program to provide up to $4,000 in homebuyers assistance for newly hired employees, first time homebuyers, and those employees choosing to purchase a residence in one of the City’s unique and culture-blended neighborhoods.

Tuition Reimbursement: The City encourages employee self-development and continuing education and provides a reimbursement program for eligible employees annually for qualified college or certification courses taken that year.

Teleworking/Remote Work*: Eligible employees qualify for a hybrid schedule upon approval through the city’s teleworking policy. The City is committed to increasing employee productivity and improving talent recruitment by providing employees with work alternatives that enable eligible employees to meet their work and family needs.

PSLF Program Eligible Employer: The PSLF Program is a federal program that is intended to encourage individuals to work in public service by forgiving the balance of their federal student loans. To qualify, the individual must have made 120 qualifying payments while employed by a qualifying employer. For more information, please click PSLF Loan Forgiveness.

*Benefits for employees under collective bargaining agreements or appointed positions may vary.