Tree Trimmer I/II

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Tree Trimmer I/II

Salary

$51,854.40 - $66,320.13 Annually

Location

Ventura and may require travel throughout Ventura County, CA

Job Type

Full-Time Regular

Job Number

1981PWA-24AA (SC)

Department

Public Works Agency

Opening Date

08/05/2024

Closing Date

Continuous

• Description

• Benefits

• Questions

Description

WHAT WE OFFER

The County of Ventura offers an attractive compensation and benefits package that includes:

• A General Salary Increase of 3.5% effective January 19, 2025.

• Merit Increases: New employees are eligible for an initial 5% merit increase within the pay range upon completion of at least 1,040 hours (approximately 6 months) assuming work meets satisfactory standards. Subsequent merit increases within the pay range will be upon completion of each additional 2,080 hours (approximately one year) from the initial merit increase.

• Educational Incentive: An educational incentive of 2.5% for completion of an associate degree, 3.5% for completion of a bachelor's degree OR 5% for completion of a graduate degree that is not required to work in the classification.

• Bilingual Incentive: Based on agency operational needs and certification skills, proficiency levels by exam are $.65 per hour (Level I), $.80 per hour (Level II) or $1.10 per hour (Level III).

• Vacation Accrual: New regular, full-time employees shall accrue approximately 14 days of vacation a year for the first 10,400 hours or 5 years of service; vacation accruals increase at 5, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 20 years of service topping out at 26 days a year and 440 hours of vacation hours banked.

• Vacation Redemption: After 14,560 hours of continuous County service an employee may elect to "cash-in" or redeem up to 80 hours of vacation accrued in the same year after using 80 hours of vacation in the preceding 12 months.

• Sick Leave: Full-time regular employees accrue 3.08 hours of sick leave per bi-weekly pay period with an advance at hire of 40.04 hours which will be balanced at the completion of 13 bi-weekly pay periods.

• Deferred Compensation: Eligible to participate in the County's 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan. This position is eligible for up to a 3.00% match on your 401(k) contributions.

• Health Plans: Full-time employees are given a flexible credit allowance of up to $23,530 annually to offset the purchase of medical, dental and/or vision insurance for you and your dependents.

• Employee only: $502 per biweekly pay period

• Employee plus one dependent: $730 per biweekly pay period

• Employee plus family: $905 per biweekly pay period

• Flexible Spending Accounts: Pre-tax benefit towards eligible medical, dental and vision care and/or dependent care expenses.

• Pension Plan: Participation in the County's defined pension plan, which has reciprocity with CalPERS.

• Holidays: 12 paid days per year which includes a scheduled floating holiday.

• Additional Benefits: Tuition Reimbursement, Disability Plans, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Wellness Program.

The PUBLIC WORKS AGENCY, Roads and Transportation Department is responsible for the planning, designing, funding, building, operating and maintaining the County Road System, approximately 542 centerline miles of roadway, bridges, drainage and related transportation facilities, coordination of unincorporated area public transit needs, and provision of general transportation advice to the Board of Supervisors.

THE POSITION

Under general supervision, performs a variety of work in the maintenance of trees on road right-of-ways and performs related duties as required.

THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE

The successful candidate not only possesses the minimum requirements of the position but also possesses current or very recent employment in the tree care field.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Tree Trimmer II class differs from the Tree Trimmer I class in that incumbents are more highly skilled in all phases of tree trimming and may perform training and lead functions as required.

APPROXIMATE SALARIES

Tree Trimmer I: $24.93 - $28.57 /h ourly

Tree Trimmer II: $27.77 - $31.88 /h ourly

Examples Of Duties

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Performs trimming, topping, takedowns, cabling, and roping off trees and shrubs threatening private property or public safety.

• Operates motorized vehicles and equipment such as pick-up trucks,

dump trucks, bucket trucks, chippers, and stump grinders.

• Uses and maintains chainsaws and a variety of hand and power tools and safety equipment.

• Ensures all safety precautions are being observed at all times.

• Inspects trees & shrubs for insects, diseases, and split or weak crotches.

• Responds to off-duty emergency calls to alleviate hazardous conditions caused by high winds, storms, downed trees, or other situations.

• Performs worksite set-up; sets-up and removes traffic control; and flags traffic.

• Performs other related duties as required.

Tree Trimmers are represented by the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 501 and are eligible for overtime compensation.

Typical Qualifications

These are entrance requirements to the examination process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.

EDUCATION, TRAINING and EXPERIENCE

Any combination of education and experience leading to the acquisition of the required knowledge, skills and abilities. The required knowledge, skills and abilities can also be obtained by the equivalent of one (1) year (Tree Trimmer I) to two (2) years (Tree Trimmer II) of experience in the maintenance and care of trees.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess and maintain a valid California driver's license.

• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal. Skills must be demonstrated in the completion of the employment application and supplemental questionnaire.

• Employees will be required to obtain a California Commercial Class B driver's license as a condition of passing initial probation. Tree Trimmer II requires possession of a valid California Commercial Class B driver's license. Incumbents who possess a Commercial driver's license are subject to the Department of Transportation's Random Drug and Alcohol Testing Program.

• Must meet requirements for the Cal/OSHA Respiratory Fit Program.

• Ability to stand, walk on uneven terrain, kneel, crouch, work at heights and depths, stoop, twist, climb, maintain stamina, lift heavy items (up to 50 pounds); and work safely while exposed to inclement weather, darkness, environmental conditions, vibration, confining work space, mechanical and electrical hazards.

DESIRED

• Class A California driver's license.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES

Knowledge of: operational safety procedures, laws and first aid; and the proper selection, use, operation and maintenance of tree trimming equipment.

Ability to: maneuver in and properly trim tall trees; comprehend, follow and convey written and oral instructions; apply horticulture practices; and (Tree Trimmer II) plan and direct the safe activities of others .

Recruitment Process

FINAL FILING DATE: This is a continuous recruitment and may close at any time; therefore, apply as soon as possible if you are interested in it. Applications must be received by County of Ventura Human Resources in Ventura, California, no later than 5:00 p.m. on closing date.

To apply online, please refer to our web site at www.ventura.org/jobs. A paper application can be obtained by calling (805) 654-5129. Our address is County of Ventura Human Resources Division, 800 South Victoria Avenue, L-1970, Ventura, CA 93009.

Applicants must provide sufficient information under the Education/Work experience portion of the application and supplemental questionnaire to thoroughly and accurately demonstrate your qualifications in order to determine eligibility. A resume may be attached to supplement your responses in the above-referenced sections; however, it may not be submitted in lieu of the application.

NOTE: If presently permanently employed in another "merit" or "civil service" public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a "merit" or "civil service" style examination, then appointment by "Lateral Transfer" may be possible. If interested, please click here (http://vcportal.ventura.org/CEO/HR/docs/Lateral_Transfer.pdf) for additional information.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE – qualifying: All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this exam at the time of filing. This questionnaire may be used throughout the examination process to assist in determining each applicant's qualifications and acceptability for the position. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire may result in removal of the application from further consideration.

APPLICATION EVALUATION – qualifying: All applications will be reviewed to determine whether the stated requirements are met. Applicants meeting the stated requirements will be invited to continue to the next step in the recruitment process.

PRACTICAL EXAMINATION - 100%: Candidates will be required to complete several job-related tasks where essential job duties and the job environment are simulated. The method of completing the tasks, the time required, and the final product will be scored and evaluated. Practical examinations may also encompass actual job performance in the position and/or successful completion of any required job training. Candidates must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list.

Candidates successfully completing the examination process may be placed on an eligible list for a period of one (1) year. The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill present and future regular, temporary, fixed-term, intermittent and extra-help vacancies. There are currently three (3) Regular vacancies.

NOTE: If appointed at the lower level, incumbent may be promoted to the higher level without further examination upon meeting the minimum requirements, demonstrating satisfactory performance, and in accordance with the business needs of the department.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A thorough post offer, pre-employment background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information, and driving record will be required for this position. For those classifications that are subject to Department of Transportation drug and alcohol testing regulations, incumbents will be tested prior to driving a commercial vehicle and may be randomly tested thereafter.

For further information regarding this recruitment, please contact Sylvia Campos by email at sylvia.campos@ventura.org .

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

YOUR BENEFITS AS A COUNTY OF VENTURA EMPLOYEE

International Union of Operating Engineers

(LOCAL 501, IUOE)

To learn more about Benefits, Retirement, and the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), see links below.

• Benefits website (https://hr.ventura.org/benefits) or you may call (805) 654-2570.

• Retirement FAQ's (https://vcportal.ventura.org/CEO/benefits/docs/RETIREMENT%20-%20FAQs.pdf)

• Memorandum of Agreement

Union Code: EOS

01

Do you possess or have the ability to obtain and maintain a valid California driver's license?

• Yes

• No

  02

  Please identify the class of the driver's license you CURRENTLY possess. You may select more than one.

• Class A

• Class B

• Class C

• None of the Above

  03

  List your specific work assignments where your MAJOR RESPONSIBILITY was trimming, topping, and removing trees and shrubs. Include the following for each listed assignment:

  A. Job title(s);

  B. Time frame(s) (start and end dates in month/year format); AND

  C. Detailed description of your role(s) and responsibilities.

  If you do not have this type of experience, please type "no experience".

  04

  List the hand tools, power tools and safety equipment you have successfully used in performing the activities described in the previous question (no. 2).

  If you do not have this type of experience, please type "no experience".

  05

  List the motorized vehicles and motorized equipment that you have operated in performing the activities listed in question no. 2 (e.g., dump trucks, high ranger boom truck, chippers, stump grinders, etc.).

  If you do not have this type of experience, please type "no experience".

  06

  Describe your experience as a tree trimmer where you have used ropes. What kinds of knots did you use and what was the purpose of each knot?

  If you do not have this type of experience, please type "no experience".

  07

  Tree Trimmer I/II requires the ability to stand, walk on uneven terrain, kneel, crouch, work at heights and depths, stoop, twist, climb, maintain stamina, lift heavy items (up to 50 pounds), and work safely while exposed to inclement weather, darkness, environmental conditions, vibration, confining work space, mechanical and electrical hazards.

  Are you able and willing, with or without reasonable accommodation, to perform these functions and work safely under these conditions?

• Yes

• No

  08

  This position requires participation and compliance with the Cal/OSHA Respiratory Fit Program, which includes wearing special masks for specific duties, without the interference of facial hair. Are you willing and able to meet this requirement?

• Yes

• No

  09

  Employees will be required to obtain a California Commercial Class B driver's license as a condition of passing initial probation. Tree Trimmer II requires possession of a valid California Commercial Class B driver's license. A Class A driver's license is highly desirable. Incumbents who possess a Commercial driver's license are subject to the Department of Transportation's Random Drug and Alcohol Testing Program. Please indicate if you understand this statement.

• Yes

• No

  Required Question

Agency

Ventura County

Address

800 S. Victoria Avenue LOC. #1970 Ventura, California, 93009

Phone

(805) 654-5129

Website

http://hr.ventura.org

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