Tentative Classification Standards issued by the Division of Classification & Compensation are shared with the operating agencies of State government for their consideration and comment. Accordingly, this document that you are viewing is subject to change and will be issued in final form at the completion of the review period.

TENTATIVE

 

                                                                                                      Occ. Code 1538200

 

TREE PRUNER, GRADE 8                                                                             1538200

TREE PRUNER SUPERVISOR, GRADE 11                                                    1538500

 

 

New York State Department of Civil Service

 

Classification Standard

 

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CLASS SERIES

Positions in this series perform a variety of tree care, removal, and maintenance activities to eliminate hazardous conditions, clear rights-of-way, and improve the appearance and health of trees.       

 

          Positions are classified at the Department of Transportation.

 

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

 

TREE PRUNER: under the direction of a Tree Pruning or a Highway Maintenance Supervisor, works as a member of a crew engaged in full-time tree maintenance operations; sprays, dusts, fertilizes, and transplants trees and shrubs; and uses equipment and tools such as pruning saws and shears, chainsaws, climbing equipment, ropes, ladders, axes, and power and hand spraying equipment for the purposes of pruning, lopping, felling, bracing, guying, and repairing cavities.

 

TREE PRUNER SUPERVISOR: supervises a crew of Tree Pruners or Highway Maintenance Workers in the care and removal of trees and shrubs and in vegetation control activities.

 

RELATED CLASSES

Grounds Workers perform a variety of manual tasks in gardening and general grounds maintenance work which may require only occasional tree pruning and tree removal activities which are generally not complicated by location or height. 

 

Laborers perform a variety of routine manual tasks on a wide variety of construction and maintenance projects, and may be assigned to perform such tasks as cutting and clearing trees and brush, and planting, cultivating, and fertilizing trees. Such activities may be performed only occasionally and usually do not require special knowledge or working in tall trees.  

 

Highway Maintenance Workers 1 and 2 operate a variety of self-propelled and other equipment in the maintenance and repair of highway pavements, shoulders, roadsides and drainage, traffic signs and pavement markings, and in the control of snow and ice.  In addition, they may be assigned a variety of maintenance tasks in support of the bridge and facility maintenance programs. They also perform preventive maintenance on assigned equipment and assist mechanics in more extensive equipment maintenance and repair. 

 

ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES

 

TREE PRUNER

 

Performs a variety of tasks in the care and maintenance of trees.

 

·       Climbs trees to reach branches, and prunes and trims branches using climbing equipment such as climbing hooks and belts, or ladders.

 

·       Rigs ropes and tackle for self, tools, and for removing parts of the tree.

 

·       Cuts down trees using chain or hand saws.

 

·       Installs guying and bracing to prevent wind damage to branches.

 

·       Scrapes decayed matter from tree cavities, and fills holes with cement to promote   healing and prevent further deterioration.

 

·       Sprays and dusts pesticides on shrubs and trees to control pests and diseases.

 

·       Fertilizes trees to promote growth using appropriate methods and equipment.

 

·       Applies herbicides to kill brush and weeds.

 

·       Plants trees and shrubs by digging holes, setting, back-filling, watering, and bracing.

 

·       Lubricates, adjusts, cleans, and otherwise maintains the tools and equipment.

 

·       May operate motor vehicles and light construction equipment occasionally and for short periods of time.

 

·       May perform snow and ice control related duties which may include operating a plow and/or hopper truck, operating snow plow wings, manual sanding/salting of hazardous spots on roadways, preventative maintenance on vehicles, hoppers, spreaders, and other related equipment.

 

 

TREE PRUNER SUPERVISOR

 

Performs all the tasks and activities of a Tree Pruner, and supervises a crew of Tree Pruners or Highway Maintenance Workers engaged in a variety of tree maintenance tasks.

 

·       Plans method of topping and felling trees based on previous experience, accepted safety and work practices, and other factors such as tree size and location.

 

·       Inspects and recommends the removal of dead or dangerous trees.

 

·       Assigns work crew to specific jobs.

 

·       Climbs trees to assist and instruct crew personnel on work and safety practices, and demonstrates proper use of equipment and materials.

 

·       Maintains standard written records of employee time, work performed, and materials and equipment used.

 

·       Observes work in progress and that which is completed to ensure that proper safety and work procedures are followed, and that the quality of work is satisfactory.

 

·       May be responsible for a tree care program to preserve specimen trees and for the care of a wide variety of ornamental trees.

 

·       May supervise snow and ice control related activities.

  

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

 

TREE PRUNER

 

Non-Competitive: six months of experience climbing and pruning trees. Candidates must also meet physical/medical standards, and when required to operate motor vehicles, candidates must possess a valid New York State driver's license appropriate for the type of vehicle to be operated.

 

TREE PRUNER SUPERVISOR

 

Promotion: one year of service as a Tree Pruner.

 

Open-Competitive: two years of experience in tree care and tree removal, including pruning, applying pesticides, feeding, transplanting, bracing, guying, topping, and climbing of trees.

Revised:  7/17

NOTE:  Classification Standards illustrate the nature, extent and scope of duties and responsibilities of the classes they describe.  Standards cannot and do not include all of the work that might be appropriately performed by a class.  The minimum qualifications above are those which were required for appointment at the time the Classification Standard was written.  Please contact the Division of Staffing Services for current information on minimum qualification requirements for appointment or examination.