• Three weeks vacation at start, holidays and paid sick leave
• One of our state's best pension benefits and a retirement savings program
• An impressive selection of medical, dental, vision and life insurance
• Plus, much more...

LEARN MORE and APPLY by OCT. 28, 2023

WHY JOIN the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden?

EXPLORE UC Davis' Competitive HEALTH and RETIREMENT Benefits

Full Position Description

Job summary

Under the general direction of the Arboretum and Public Garden (APG) Assistant Director for Grounds & Landscape Services, perform duties as Tree Maintenance Supervisor. Using standards, policy and recommendations established by the Campus Urban Forester and following industry standards including ANSI 300, ANSI Z 133, oversee highly technical maintenance service to the campus urban forest by supervising teams performing journey level work in trimming, cabling, cultivating, removing, preparing reports or records, and planting trees using all modern methods and tools of the Arboriculture industry including computerized mapping and maintenance systems. Responsible for insuring assigned work and scheduled functions are carried out to established standards and completed on time. Ensure staff assignments are clear and teams have necessary tools/supplies to complete their assignments. Act as first point of contact for campus customers. Responsible for personnel functions such as safety, training, diversity, corrective action and performance management. Creates and maintains a positive and respectful working environment. This position plays a key role in the expansion of sustainable landscapes across the campus as part of the Living Landscape Adaptation Plan and works closely with APG colleagues to ensure the use of appropriate techniques for non-traditional landscapes. This position will be Monday through Friday with occasional weekend work as needed.

Job Expectations

• On-call for tree or landscape issues.
• Read, understand and follow the UC Davis Principles of Community.
• Strong initiative and customer service standards
• Highly motivated and results oriented
• Must maintain flexibility in a continuously changing and fast paced work environment
• Make well planned decisions; Analyze situations, define problems and/or objectives, identify relevant factors, formulate logical conclusions and suggest alternative solutions
• Professional communication skills, tact and diplomacy
• Ensure consistency in formatting, writing style and presentation of all communications
• Maintain confidentiality of files and data.

Essential Responsibilities

80% TREE OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT

• Works directly with the Campus Urban Forester to provide maintenance based upon their recommendations.
• Lead, train, and participate in the work of a crew performing a variety of tree pruning and maintenance tasks.
• Climb trees using ropes, cables, and spurs, and operate aerial tower truck to remove undesired branches, limbs, and trees.
• Rig tree parts to lower them safely to the ground avoiding damage to people and property by using industry standards.
• Install and erect appropriate signs to alert both pedestrian and vehicular traffic of work in progress and the dangers involved.
• Operate chain and hand saws, power or pole pruners, axes, and other hand tools for felling trees or cutting felled trees; operate chipper, brush truck, and stump grinder.
• Operate boom trucks, loaders, tractors, trucks, sprayers, and other equipment and tools.
• Leave job sites clean by collecting and removing debris and refuse from tree trimming and removal operations using chippers, loaders, dump trucks, blowers, shovels, rakes or other tools.
• Clean, sharpen, and lubricate tools and equipment and/or chainsaws, hooks, handsaws, shears, and clippers.
• Maintain climbing gear and other safety equipment.
• Oversee tree maintenance using standards, policy and recommendations established by Campus Urban Forester, UC Davis campus standards, and industry guidelines, such as ISA Best Management Practices and ANSI A300.
• Plan, assign, and inspect the work of subordinate tree pruners.
• Oversee and coordinate storm emergency and after hour emergency response.
• Ensure safe operation of all tree trimming or removal operations.
• Review and approve purchase of new equipment and oversee equipment maintenance for all vehicles and tools.
• Keep records and prepare reports; use a computer and other technology to enter and retrieve data, update maintenance logs to reflect work performed, track work order status, and communicate electronically.

20% PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT

• Manage staff resources to maintain consistent quality, reliability, and productivity.
• Provide leadership, general direction and support employee growth and development for Tree Trimmers.
• Determine, distribute, and oversee work performed.
• Reorganize responsibilities to improve work distribution and productivity.
• Establish clear performance standards and expectations.
• Set personal development goals with each employee and provide training opportunities where appropriate.
• Ensure staff training is sufficient to keep skills at a safe level for all tree pruning operations.
• Assess strengths and weaknesses and identify development needs, giving timely and specific feedback.
• Monitor and evaluate employee performance against established goals and objectives.
• Motivate employees to continuously improve.
• Reward staff when they have done well and hold staff accountable when they do not perform as expected.
• Approve work schedules and ensure record keeping and time accounting is accurate.
• Develop a cooperative teamwork philosophy and establish and maintain strong client-focused teams.
• Perform safety and landscape maintenance training for employees.
• Evaluate employee performance and provide appropriate corrective action up to and including dismissal.
• May be required to coordinate/direct work with student and volunteer teams.

Physical/Mental Demands

• Mental Demands: Constant analytical and problem solving, detailed work, multiple concurrent tasks and frequent verbal and written communication
• Physical Demands: Work performed outdoors, year-round, in extreme weather conditions in an institutional setting. Operate heavy and small equipment for long periods of time.  Lift up to 70 pounds. Climb 12-foot ladders. Occasional climbing, crawling, kneeling, pushing, reaching, twisting and frequent stooping, bending, standing, squatting, walking, talking and hearing
• Elements Exposed to: Chemicals, dirt, hazards, heat/cold

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum License/Certification

• Must possess an ISA Certified Arborist and Certified Tree Climber’s Certificate.

Minimum Education/Experience                              

• At least 3 years demonstrated supervisory experience in horticulture, arboriculture, or landscape maintenance including recruitment, work assignment, setting expectations and evaluating performance.
• Experience with computers, including databases, Geographical Information Systems, Microsoft Suite of software, and timekeeping systems.
• Experience to climb trees by ropes and or spurs, use safety belts and other required rigging as necessary to perform tree climbing duties.
• Experience creating safety zones in areas of high pedestrian and vehicular traffic

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA) 

• Skill to perform all manner of pruning tasks according to ANSI 300 and ISA industry best management practices.
• Customer service and communication skills to provide courteous service in person and on the telephone; to convey a professional and business-like image to a diverse student, staff and general public population; and to remain calm and professional when dealing with difficult, disgruntled, defensive people in person, on the phone and via email.

Preferred Qualifications

Additional Preferred License/Certification          

• Tree Risk Assessment Qualified (TRAQ), TCIA Certified Treecare Safety Professional (CTSP), CDL Class A, Qualified Applicators Certificate (QAC)

Preferred Education/Experience              

• Degree in horticulture or a related field and five+ years of variable tree work experience performing the duties listed in the job or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience working in a public sector union environment.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA) 

• Skills to drive a high lift boom truck and maintain the appropriate license as mandated by the Department of Motor Vehicles

Special Requirements

• Work irregular shifts, including weekends, holidays, and evenings. Available for emergency response.
• Employee is personally responsible for following health and safety guidelines/instructions.
• Valid California driver’s license required.
• Participate in the Department of Motor Vehicles Pull Notice System.
• Subject to completion of a pre-placement medical exam provided by Occupational Health Services.
• Smoke and tobacco free work environment: The University of California prohibits smoking and tobacco use at all University owned or leased properties, or facilities operated by UC staff or faculty. Smoking and tobacco use are strictly prohibited in indoor and outdoor spaces, parking lots, residential space and University vehicles.
• Background Check: This position is a critical position and subject to a background check. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of background investigation including criminal history and identity checks.

 

LEARN MORE and APPLY by OCT. 28, 2023

WHY JOIN the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden?

EXPLORE UC Davis' Competitive HEALTH and RETIREMENT Benefits