TREE CLIMBER, ELECTRIC UTILITY

Definition

Under direction, climbs, trims, sprays, tops, and cuts down dead and diseased trees and limbs primarily from around electric power-lines to minimize storm and short-circuit hazards; does other related duties.

Examples of work

• Climbs trees using individual climbing gear such as saddle and rope; may work from a vertical lift truck when conditions are unsafe to climb or remove dead or diseased limbs or top trees.
• Prunes treetops, using saws or pruning shears.
• Cares for trees damaged by storm or disease by trimming, topping and/or removing damaged or hazardous limbs, following established industry guidelines.
• Uses insulated stick or other approved personal protective equipment to remove limbs from power lines or energized equipment.
• Fells trees interfering with power service, using chainsaws.
• Operates aerial truck, pole saw, chain saw, chippers, winches, stump grinders or other mechanized equipment as necessary for maintenance of utility properties and rights-of way.
• Cuts trees and limbs to size using chain saws or other hand tools to prepare trees or limbs for removal.
• Lowers limbs and tops of trees by rope or rigging system and by use of ropes, chains, and blocks and tackle to safely remove parts from trees without causing injury or damage to property.
• Mixes premeasured chemicals according to specific directions, may spray trees, shrubs, plants, in designated areas to control pests and disease, or sprays foliage fertilizer to increase plant growth.
• May apply herbicides to deter unwanted tree or vegetation growth, or weed killer to control vines, weeds or poison growth near electric power lines, poles or other infrastructure.
• Digs holes using a variety of hand tools such as shovels or picks, and levels earth with rakes to plant trees, plants, and shrubs during season.
• Performs a variety of unskilled laboring tasks such as loading or unloading refuse, cutting grass, and feeding plants and trees.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Experience

Two (2) years of experience climbing, trimming, topping, and cutting of trees around electric power-lines involving the use of climbing gear and the operation of various motorized and hand tools.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of the safety precautions used when working around high and low energized electric power-lines.
• Knowledge of established industry standards for forestry methods and tree care.
• Knowledge of current NJDOT guidelines for traffic control when working in public rights-of-way.
• Knowledge of the techniques to distinguish exposed live parts from other parts of electric equipment and determine the nominal voltage of exposed live parts.
• Knowledge of the safe clearance distances and the corresponding voltages when working near unguarded, energized overhead lines.
• Knowledge of the common variety of trees and their structure.
• Knowledge of safe working practices involved in climbing, topping, and sawing limbs off trees, felling trees, lowering limbs, and operating motorized hand equipment such as chain saws, chippers, stump grinders, and/or other types of related equipment.
• Knowledge of common knots, hitches, and rigging used for lowering limbs and treetops.
• Ability to climb trees using various climbing gear and to work from heights in excess of 30 feet suspended from climbing gear and in a lift truck.
• Ability to observe proper safety precautions when climbing and working at various heights around energized electric power-lines.
• Ability to set up routine rigging, hoists, and blocks and tackle.
• Ability to operate gasoline chain saws, chippers, stump grinders, and/or other motorized hand equipment and tools in a safe manner.
• Ability to perform routine mechanical and manual operations.
• Ability to lift, pull, or push objects of various weights and sizes for short distances.
• Ability to observe safety precautions in climbing and working at various heights.
• Ability to work harmoniously with coworkers and supervisors.
• Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

Appointees may be required to possess a valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and applicable endorsements for the class and type of vehicle being operated.

The responsibility for ensuring that employees possess the required motor vehicle license, commensurate with the class and type of vehicles they operate, rests with the Appointing Authority.

Appointees may be required to obtain a Pesticide Applicator Certification iued by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.