Gardener – Tree Climber
UW CODE AND REPRESENTATIVE GROUP
18545 (NE S WFSE Campuswide)
23623 (NE H NI WFSE Campuswide)
BASIC FUNCTION
Within UW Facilities and UW College of the Environment-School of Environmental and Forest Sciences-UW Botanic Gardens (Center for Urban Horticulture and Washington Park Arboretum), perform technical arboriculture duties in the maintenance and care of trees and plants.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Perform aerial operations in the implementation of the arboriculture program including skilled arboriculture tasks such as technical climbing, hazard assessment and mitigation, as well as horticultural tasks for the cultivation and maintenance of trees and plants.
TYPICAL WORK
Climb trees to perform arboriculture needs such as tree removals, pruning, bracing/cabling, rigging, inspections, etc., using free climbing with ropes and saddle as per ANSI (American National Standards Institute) A300 and Z133 standards for tree care operations;
Lead others while performing aerial tree care including assigning, instructing and checking work of staff acting as arborist assistants. May also schedule and assign work, instruct, and check the work of contractors and volunteers involved in tree care activities;
May perform bucket truck and other lift device operations;
May coordinate and implement aerial tree activities with UW Campus Grounds and Seattle Parks and Recreation tree crews;
Perform and lead others in planting, transplanting, mowing, pruning, fertilizing, and irrigating lawns, gardens, shrubs, and trees; coordinate and prepare special landscape projects;
Direct preventive maintenance programs and maintain equipment records;
Develop preliminary cost estimates for maintenance, construction and repair work; inspect grounds projects; read and interpret blueprints;
Operate power and motorized equipment such as blowers, light tractors, front-end loaders, lawn mowers, gang mowers, forklifts, lawn edgers, chain saws, small trucks, back pack blowers, lawn vacuums, and snowblowers;
May assist in interviewing, selecting, training, and evaluating grounds personnel;
Perform duties of Gardener II; and
Perform other duties as required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Physical ability to do required work AND two years of experience as a Tree Climber or equivalent work involving tree care including tree removal, pruning, planting, protection, staking, bracing, rigging, inspection, and general maintenance,
AND
Possession of a valid International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist or equivalent certification,
AND
Possession of a valid Washington State driver’s license.
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except where there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.
CLASSIFICATION HISTORY
New Class: 10-01-2023