Urban Forestry - Trades Worker

Salary: $18.27 Hourly
Location : Kissimmee, FL
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 02020
Department: Community Development
Division: Passive Parks
Opening Date: 01/22/2024
Closing Date: 2/12/2024 11:59 PM Eastern
General Description of Duties
NOTE TO INTERNAL APPLICANTS: INTERNAL CANDIDATES IN THE SAME CLASSIFICATION AND/OR PAY GRADE AS THE POSITION POSTED WILL NOT RECEIVE A PAY ADJUSTMENT IF SELECTED.
Under the direction of the Parks Foreman/Urban Forester, the purpose of the position is to assist and perform general maintenance and repairs in the skilled and semi-skilled tasks related to forestry and arboriculture. Employees in this classification function at the journey level and are responsible for accomplishing projects on County properties and Right of Ways. Employee performs duties with minimal supervision with thorough knowledge and proficiency gained through training and experience Performs related work as directed on parks, conservation areas, and other County properties.
Essential Job Functions
The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. It is not necessarily descriptive of any one position in the class. The omission of an essential function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position.

• Performs skilled work in trimming, pruning, and removing diseased, broken and hazardous limbs for the safety, care, maintenance and aesthetic appearance of trees/palms.
• Performs skilled work in the removal and disposal of the entire tree/palm or planting, relocating, replacing, and preserving trees/palms as required.
• Performs skilled work in staking, branches/debris/brush for disposal; cleans worksite after completion of removed brush, limbs, fronds, and/or grindings.
• Operates large, medium, and small equipment and/or vehicles as necessary, including, bucket truck; water truck; lift; chipper; stump grinder or other equipment assigned.
• Communicates verbally or in writing and/or answers citizen inquires when approached on the job; provides information on the nature of the work and schedule; refers more complex questions to the Foreman. If required, fills out and files citizen complaint forms and submits them to the Urban Forester.
• Follows guidelines in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards; the American National Standards Institute (ANSI); and local Ordinances set by the County for tree/palm preservation, protection, care/maintenance, and/or other operations implemented.
• Utilizes a wide variety of manual, gas, and electric-powered hand tools, e.g., Chainsaws, pole saws, loppers, injectors, augers, tractors, hammers, shovels, screwdrivers, wrenches, digging bars, saws, drills, welders.
• Position performs a variety of labor-intensive work which may include exposure to difficult working conditions, e.g., extreme heat or cold, fumes, chemicals, or heights.
• Attends safety meetings and/or safety inspections.
• Performs general maintenance and upkeep of tools, equipment, and machinery, e.g., lubricates, services, and fuels; performs routine light maintenance and repairs; cleans and maintains safe operation.
• Participates in work-site safety set-up, e.g., preps work areas; sets barricades and cones; conducts traffic control in accordance with uniform work zone safety standards; flags traffic.
• Responds to emergency situations in order to confine, resolve or prevent injuries or otherwise hazardous conditions, i.e., fallen debris,
• Performs duties as assigned/necessary which are related, or logical in assignment to the position.

Minimum Qualifications
High School Diploma or GED, plus two (2) years of responsible experience in a specific skilled trade, e.g., Tree maintenance, tree trimming, tree planting, horticulture, landscaping, forestry, or related field.
Must possess or obtain and maintain a valid Class A Florida Driver's License Commercial Driver's License (CDL) within six months of hire.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Ability to lead and carry out assignments with minimal instructions.
• Ability to adhere to prescribed routines and practices.
• Considerable knowledge of and ability to utilize materials, methods, and equipment used in skilled and semi-skilled trades of masonry and carpentry.
• Skill in utilizing various handheld manual and electrical tools of the various trades, e.g., hammer, screwdriver, wrench, drill, various saws, grinder, pliers, sander, tar kettle, various torches, air compressor, drill press, generator, welding equipment, electronic and electrical testing, and repair equipment.
• Ability to perform duties with a professional and cooperative work ethic.
• Ability to climb, reach, bend, stoop, kneel, sit, and stand for extended periods of time; ability to lift up to 100 pounds.
• Ability to work in temperatures exceeding 100 degrees for extended periods of time
• Ability to withstand exposure to dust, mold, fiberglass, and various chemicals.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communications with department management, County employees, and the general public.

PHYSICAL DEMAND REQUIREMENTS:
Physical Demand: Heavy

• 100 pounds maximum lifting
• Frequent (up to 2/3 of work time) lifting, carrying 50 lbs.
• Expression or exchanging ideas by spoken word or perceiving sound by ear.
• Good eyesight for production or safety of self and others.
• Requires physical agility in climbing, kneeling, bending, stooping, and reaching.
• Required to have clear vision at near distances and distances of 20 feet or more.
• Requires infrequent exposure to adverse weather conditions, chemicals, and other hazardous materials.

Osceola County offers a comprehensive benefits package to fit the needs of our employees and their families. Following is a snapshot of our core benefits.
Medical and Dental Insurance at no cost to the employee. In addition, the County contributes 83% to the dependent(s) premium coverage. Department Heads are eligible for Medical and Dental insurance coverage on the first date of employment.
Group Health/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
Coverage
Deductions Per Paycheck
(26 Paychecks)
EmployeeEmployee + 1Family Health-HRA Base $0.00 $102.38 $159.25 Health-HRA Buy-Up $31.57 $138.89 $216.06 Dental Base $0.00 $11.99 $22.08 Dental Buy-Up $3.16 $18.14 $30.75 Vision $3.42 $6.84 $9.15 Short-Term Disability $0.00 N/A N/A Long-Term Disability $0.00 N/A N/A
County's Contribution to the Medical Plan:
Coverage
TierAnnual
Contribution HRA Base Employee $9,807.72 HRA Base Emp+1 $15,091.96 HRA Base Family $22,921.08 Coverage
TierAnnual
Contribution HRA Buy-Up Employee $9,436.70 HRA Buy-Up Emp+1 $14,952.34 HRA Buy-Up Family $22,703.72
Medical Health Reimbursement Account (HRA): The County contributes $500 per employee or $1,000 for employee plus dependents, for medical and prescription-related expenses.
State-of-the-Art Employee Wellness Center: The County provides a private health center for County Employees and eligible dependents. The Employee Wellness Center offers an array of primary care services, including sick visits, enhanced by x-ray services, pulmonary tests, lab work, and a dispensary offering over 200 generic medications onsite. Services at the Wellness Center are offered at no cost to the employees and their eligible dependents.

• Employees who are enrolled on the County's Medical plan have access to the Employee Wellness Center on day one of employment. The Wellness Center is available to patients 8 years of age and older.

Basic Life Insurance Policy: At no cost to the employee, equal to one time the employee's annual salary, rounded to the next thousand dollars. Employees can opt to buy additional Life Insurance.
Short-Term and Long-Term Disability: At no cost to the employee. The County offers Short-Term and Long-Term Disability at 60% of the employee's weekly base salary. The employee has the option to purchase an additional 10% coverage.
Membership in the Florida Retirement System: This benefit cannot be easily matched by a traditional 401k plan. Current County contributions are:
• Regular Class - 11.91%
• Special Risk - 27.83%
• Senior Management - 31.57%
The Florida Retirement System (FRS) offers two retirement plans - the Investment Plan and the Pension Plan. Both plans are subject to a mandatory 3% employee contribution.
457b Deferred Compensation Program is also available to help employees boost their retirement saving goals, with pre-tax and post-tax contributions, as well as IRA plan options.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP): EAP provides confidential counseling and referral services to employees and their family membersat no cost.
Employee Wellness Program promotes various activities to encourage total well-being including physical, emotional, and financial health. Rewards can be earned.
Gym Membership Reimbursement up to $20.00 per month.
Vacation and Sick Leave accruals as follows:
Vacation AccrualsPer Month 1 month to 5 years 8 hours 5 years and 1 month to 10 years 10 hours 10 years and 1 month to 15 years 12 hours 15 years and 1 month to 20 years 13.34 hours 20 years and over 16.66 hours
Sick Leave AccrualsPer Month Full-time Employees 8 hours Part-time Employees 4 hours
11 Paid Holidays and 1 Floating Holiday (to be chosen by the Employee)

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veterans Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Thanksgiving-Day After
• Christmas Eve
• Christmas Day

Paid Bereavement Leave:Up to three (3) working days off with pay if funeral or memorial services are less than 200 miles from Kissimmee and up to five (5) working days off with pay if funeral or memorial services are more than 200 miles from Kissimmee.
40 hours of Administrative Leave per fiscal year for Exempt employees.
Tuition Reimbursement: Up to $1,600 per Calendar Year, for degree-seeking employees. The degree must be related to the employee's position.
Employee Recognition Program: Monetary rewards are available.
Sick Leave Bank: Available to employees experiencing a catastrophic medical-related event, with up to 240 hours, per fiscal year. Enrollment required.
01
Are you a U.S. Military Veteran?

• Yes
• No

02
Are you electing to claim Veteran's Preference? (If electing to claim Veteran's Preference, please make sure to complete the Veteran's Preference Eligibility Form located on the home page of NeoGov.)

• Yes
• No

03
Do you possess a High School Diploma or GED?

• Yes
• No

04
Select the area(s) in which you have at least two (2) years of responsible experience in skilled trade: (Experience must be demonstrated in the "Work Experience" section of the application.)

• Tree maintenance
• Tree trimming
• Horticulture
• Landscaping
• Forestry
• None

05
List any manual, gas and electric equipment you have used in a professional environment. (Experience must be demonstrated in the "Work Experience" section of the application.) If no, list N/A.
06
Do you possess a valid Driver's License? If yes, what state?
07
Do you possess a valid Class A Commercial Florida Driver License?

• Yes
• No

08
If you answered no to the previous question, are you able to obtain one within six (6) months of hire?

• Yes
• No

Required Question