Performs a variety of semi-skilled manual tree maintenance work; removes diseased, dead or undesirable trees from parkland and other designated county-owned property. Duties include chipping brush, assist aerial lift operators and felling operations, and operate all forestry-related equipment. Assists with all site safety requirements. Maintains and documents all equipment including chainsaws, chippers, trucks, and aerial lifts. Sharpens saw chains, greases and lubes all equipment per manufacturer and/or supervisor instructions, keeps all equipment clean and well-maintained.

Note: This position reports to 4501 Brookfield Corporate Drive, Chantilly VA, 20151 and is dispatched to park locations county-wide.

Illustrative Duties

• Assists with pruning and removal of dead, decayed, and diseased trees and limbs;
• Uses multiple knots, rigging, motorized winches, and block and tackle to remove limbs or completely remove trees;
• Assists with clearing fallen trees from roads, trails and public access areas;
• Assists with equipment preparation and routine maintenance of assigned equipment;
• Assists in positioning of aerial lifts and other forestry equipment;
• Maintains safe working conditions during tree operations by manually removing cut materials from work site following all Fairfax County safety policies;
• Reports and monitors job site safety area, unsafe working conditions;
• Operates chain saw, pole saw, line-thrower, winches and assigned equipment and applicable hand tools;
• Performs various landscape maintenance tasks that may include mulching, planting and brush clearing;
• Assists with operation of brush chipper to chip and remove brush and debris;
• Loads and unloads trucks or other equipment;
• Drive assigned vehicle to job site;
• May be designated as emergency service personnel.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Working knowledge of the methods, materials and tools used in tree care operations;
• Ability to learn basic rope and tie-off techniques (knots, rigging, motorized winches, and block and tackle);
• Knowledge or ability to learn safety standards and practices for tree care operations;
• Ability to be physically active for up to 3 hours at a time;
• Ability to work in adverse weather conditions;
• Ability to use all hand and power tools specific to tree work;
• Ability to walk and work on uneven terrain;
• Ability to work cooperatively with others;
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.

Employment Standards MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to graduation from high school or a GED issued by a state department of education; plus, one year of experience working in tree or ground care operations.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

• TCIA Ground Operations Specialist Certification within 12 months upon hire;
• Valid state issued driver's license.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, a check of the Child Protective Services Registry, a driver's license check, and a pre-employment physical examination to the satisfaction of the employer.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Ability to use and/or learn to use basic hand tools and operations of chippers, stump grinder chainsaws, and ground operations of the aerial lift, chainsaws, basic knots, tree removal rigging, motorized winches, block & tackle, carabineer, and pole tools. Knowledge of ANSI-Z-133 and A-100 standards as they pertain to daily operations. Ability to perform various assigned landscape maintenance tasks that may include mulching, planting and brush clearing. Ability to back a truck with a chipper attached. Ability to work cooperatively with others, understand oral and written communication and instructions.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to stand, stoop, bend, stretch, walk, climb, sit, kneel, crouch, reach, crawl, lift and handle materials with manual dexterity. Ability to lift and carry items weighing up to 75 pounds. Ability to perform repetitive hand, arm, wrist and shoulder movements. Ability to be physically active for three hours at a time. Ability to bend, stoop, crawl and work in tiring and uncomfortable positions. Ability to work in hot and cold temperatures. Ability to use hand tools. Ability to walk, negotiate or traverse property sites that may be undergoing construction or having terrain that is not level. Work requires performing tasks in adverse weather conditions. Ability to use power tools specific to Forestry Operations. Ability to operate chainsaw and hand tools during the course of a typical 8 hour day. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview.

It is the policy of Fairfax County Government to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or disability in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. EEO/AA/TTY.