Arborist

Summary

Grounds Maintenance Worker specializing in the care of trees and shrubs.  May lead or supervise a team of groundskeeping employees.  Using sophisticated climbing and rigging techniques, cuts away dead or excess branches from trees or shrubs to maintain right-of-way for roads, sidewalks, or utilities, or to improve appearance, health, and value of tree.  Prunes or treats trees or shrubs using handsaws, hand pruners, clippers, and power pruners.  Works off the ground in the tree canopy and may use truck-mounted lifts.  Utilizes familiarity with a variety of the field’s concepts, practices, and procedures.  Relies on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals.  Works under general supervision.  Directs, leads, and/or coordinates the work of others.  May directly supervise others.  Spends less than 80% of work time on supervisory, managerial, or leadership duties.  Exercises a certain degree of creativity and latitude.  Typically reports to a Grounds Supervisor or Grounds Manager.

Examples of Work

Job functions are specific duties that would be included in the essential functions of the job description.  These functions are not all-inclusive nor do they cover the full extent of the duties performed.

• Leads and/or supervise others engaged in tree trimming work and train lower-level employees
• Inspects assigned areas and initiates corrective action
• Assists in training groundskeeping employees
• Operate boom trucks, loaders, stump chippers, brush chippers, tractors, power saws, trucks, sprayers, and other equipment and tools
• Climb trees, using climbing hooks and belts, or climb ladders to gain access to work areas
• Clean, sharpen, and lubricate tools and equipment
• Cut away dead and excess branches from trees, or clear branches around power lines, using climbing equipment or buckets of extended truck booms, or chainsaws, hooks, handsaws, shears, and clippers
• Trim, top, and reshape trees to achieve attractive shapes or to remove low-hanging branches
• Prune, cut down, fertilize, and spray trees as directed by tree surgeons
• Hoist tools and equipment to tree trimmers, and lower branches with ropes or block and tackle
• Operate shredding and chipping equipment, and feed limbs and brush into the machines
• Load debris and refuse onto trucks and haul it away for disposal
• Inspect trees to determine if they have diseases or pest problems
• Cable, brace, tie, bolt, stake, and guy trees and branches to provide support
• Collect debris and refuse from tree trimming and removal operations into piles, using shovels, rakes or other tools
• Clear sites, streets, and grounds of woody and herbaceous materials, such as tree stumps and fallen trees and limbs
• Remove broken limbs from wires, using hooked extension poles
• Trim jagged stumps, using saws or pruning shears
• Transplant and remove trees and shrubs, and prepare trees for moving
• Spray trees to treat diseased or unhealthy trees, including mixing chemicals and calibrating spray equipment
• Apply tar or other protective substances to cut surfaces to seal surfaces, and to protect them from fungi and insects
• Scrape decayed matter from cavities in trees and fill holes with cement to promote healing and to prevent further deterioration

Education and Experience

Completion of ninth (9th) grade and two (2) years of experience in the field or in a related area

Licensure and Certification

Driver license may be required (if duties dictate)

Supervision

• Works under general supervision
• Directs, leads, and/or coordinates the work of others; may directly supervise others

To see common career pathways for each position at the University of Florida please visit the Career Paths section of the UFHR website.