JOB SUMMARY: 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. MAJOR DUTIES: 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. Documents assessment and treatment recommendations using a condition assessment report Responsible for maintaining the overall tree inventory and performing arboricultural duties for three offsite locations; James A Garfield National Historic Site, First Ladies National Historic Site and Perry's Victory & International Peace Memorial. Coordinates tree care with site managers for all tree operations. Performs risk (hazard) assessment of trees to determine the presence of tree defects that have the potential to fail, resulting in personal injury and/or property damage. Rates the tree's potential risk of failure, provides treatment recommendations, and documents assessment and recommendations using a tree risk assessment report. Develops basic rigging plans that identify the methods and techniques that will be used to lower tree parts to prevent damage to adjacent objects or to dismantle trees that do not have adequate room for felling. Executes the rigging plan using ropes, slings, and mechanical devices to remove limbs, dismantle trees, and generate mechanical advantage. Performs "bucking" (cutting a tree into moveable sections), "limbing" (cutting limbs off of a tree), "Felling" (the process of downing individual trees), and "slashing" (cutting tree parts to lay flat on the ground) techniques. Prunes trees and shrubs in accordance with industry standards to achieve desired objectives (e.g., reduce the risk of failure, improve fruit and flower production, etc.) using handsaws, pole saws, and chainsaws. For additional information contact Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Scott Edwards, scott_edwards@nps.gov, scott_edwards@nps.gov. IMPORTANT: Click the 'Apply for this job' button to view a complete job description.
