Arborist

National Park Service • Full-time • Petersburg, Virginia • $29.34 - $34.24 / hour • 3d ago

Arborist

Department of the Interior

Summary

This position serves as a certified arborist at a National Park Service Unit. The primary purpose of the position is to provide proper care and maintenance of specimen trees and shrubs located within maintained landscapes, and mitigate hazard tree conditions along roadways and trails, and within developed areas such as campgrounds, picnic areas, etc., where the visiting public are invited to come; by performing arboricultural practices and applied arboricultural services.

Learn more about this agency

Overview

Accepting applications

Open & closing dates

12/10/2024 to 01/08/2025
Appointment type

Term - 2 Years
Work schedule

Full-time - You may be required to work weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work.
Job family (Series)
- 5001 Miscellaneous Plant And Animal Work

Duties

Develops contract specifications for tree-related work to be accomplished by an outside contractor. Serves as park technical representative overseeing contracted tree work. Participates in project planning meetings and provides recommendations for construction preservation of trees in accordance with industry standards.
Performs annual and comprehensive condition assessment of trees to determine the health & vigor, and structural stability of trees through the knowledge of tree identification, components, and structure. Provides treatment recommendations to improve the health & vigor and maintain the structural stability.
Ascends/descends trees using a rope and work positioning saddle and various climbing methods to perform arboricultural operations aloft in trees that will be retained in the landscape. Ascends/descends trees using climbing gaffs (spikes) to perform arboricultural operations aloft in trees that will be removed from the landscape.
Plants/transplants trees and shrubs using proper plant selection and planting techniques derived from the latest research and technological developments. Prunes trees and shrubs in accordance with industry standards to achieve desired objectives (e.g. reduce the risk of failure, improve fruit & flower production, etc.) using handsaws, pole saw, and chainsaws.
Removes desired trees using a chainsaw and "directional felling" techniques. Performs "bucking" (cutting a tree into moveable sections), "limbing" (cutting limbs off of a tree), "brushing" (cutting woody vegetation up to 4 inch diameter), and "slashing" (cutting tree parts to lay flat on the ground) techniques.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

U.S. Citizenship required.
Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males

Direct Deposit: Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
Driver's License: You will be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license is required.
Uniform: You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
Term Trial Period: You will be required to complete a one-year trial period.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must have sufficient knowledge and ability in the following job-related factors:

Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision (SCREEN OUT)
Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (other than blueprints)
Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
Dexterity and Safety
Knowledge of materials
Technical Practices (theoretical precise, artistic)
Use of Measuring Instructions
Vehicle Operation

SCREEN OUT: Ability to perform the most difficult and complex duties of Arborist near the journeyman level with a high degree of independence.

How to Apply

To apply for this position: You must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. To receive consideration, the complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 01/08/2025.

Select Apply. If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to login or create an account.
Prompted to Start the Application Process by selecting "Start Application."
Select or add the resume you want to use for this application.
Select documents you want included in this application.
Review package to acknowledge your documents were reviewed.
After reading and certifying the application is true and submitted in good faith, select "Continue to Agency Site."
Follow onscreen prompts and instructions to complete your application.
Review and Submit Application.

Next steps

Once the Occupational Questionnaire is received you will receive acknowledgement that your submission was successful. If you are among the most qualified candidates and your name is referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly for a possible interview.