TREE SUPERINTENDENT

Definition

Under direction, has charge of and supervises employees engaged in planting, care, and maintenance of trees; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

• Plans and supervises the planting, care, and maintenance of trees.
• Inspects trees and advises as to the cause and control of insects and tree diseases and damage.
• Issues permits for tree repair work for trees on municipal streets.
• Assigns and supervises the trimming, removing, planting, feeding, spraying, and caring for shade trees.
• Cooperates with other officials and employees in caring for shade trees and other trees.
• Sees that emergency calls after wind or heavy rain storms are answered promptly and that damage is properly repaired.
• Prepares the annual budget.
• Requisitions and supervises storage, safeguarding, and use of equipment, materials, and supplies.
• Answers correspondence.
• Prepares reports.
• Maintains records and files.
• 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

Five (5) years of experience involving the planting, care, and maintenance of trees, one (1) year of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity.

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 methods used in performing tree surgery.
• Knowledge of problems involved in directing work of a group of employees.
• Knowledge of methods, tools, equipment, materials, and supplies used in planting, transplanting, pruning, removing, cabling, guying, spraying, and cultivating trees.
• Knowledge of preparation of clear, sound, accurate, and informative reports.
• Ability to analyze problems pertaining to tree work.
• Ability to develop effective work methods.
• Ability to determine when and where tree surgery is needed and carry out the necessary operations.
• Ability to give assignments/instructions to subordinates, provide them with needed advice/assistance, and see that reasonable standards of operations are observed.
• Ability to recommend types of trees to be planted/transplanted in a certain location, and to plant/transplant trees taking necessary precautions to ensure that trees will live and grow.
• Ability to meet with groups of citizens and others and discuss the nature and needs of trees.
• Ability to plan and organize a comprehensive shade tree program on a municipal basis.
• Ability to keep records and files.
• 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 after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. 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.