7N29
PAY RANGE: 16
GENERAL DEFINITION
This is technical arboriculture, landscape or green stormwater infrastructure landscape or natural lands restoration work assisting the contract administrator in the inspection and monitoring of landscape, installation, maintenance or construction, or tree planting, trimming and removal projects, and natural lands restoration projects. Employees in this class are responsible for ensuring that contractors comply with terms of contracts, plans and specifications and meet current standards for quality of work. Coordination with contractors, vendors and departmental officials is a significant aspect of the work. Work is performed under the general direction of an administrative supervisor.
ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following conditions must be met for a position to be allocated to this class.)
· Positions must perform technical inspection and monitor work
· Positions must ensure contractors comply with terms of contracts, plans and specifications and meet current standards for quality of work.
· Positions in this class must perform the work in the Department of Parks and Recreation or in the Water Department.
TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)
ALL ASSIGNMENTS
Inspects planting, paving, grading, concrete and site amenities work, and other specialized phases of construction projects for adherence to plans and specifications; lays out locations for planting material; informs contractors and superiors when requirements are not being met; advises supervisor of violations of federal, state, and local laws and regulations concerning procedures, safety practices and working conditions; confers with contractors regarding modifications required during construction; reinspects areas where violations were found to see that corrective action has been taken.
Attends job conferences with contractors and architects before a project begins and at specified times during the project to work out solutions to problems and interpret contract requirements; interprets plans and specifications and describes special features or requirements to the contractor; acts as liaison between contractor and department staff.
Compiles information for plans, layouts, charts, diagrams, maps, specifications, estimates, reports and other projects; reviews plans, specifications, scale drawings, correction sheets and other documents for conformity to landscape design standards; makes necessary computation to show exact dimensions, locations, and other information.
Conducts site inspections to measure and note existing conditions such as types of trees and their conditions, paving, lighting, soil conditions, and a variety of ecological factors; makes recommendations for work including pruning, trees removal, fertilization and pesticide/spray application; photographs sites for use in preparing and reviewing scale working drawings; prepares plans, diagrams, design detail reports, specifications, and other technical data.
Occasionally visits nurseries and approves selection of plant materials; tags plants to be purchased; arranges for delivery of plant materials; notifies contractors of delivery dates and coordinates a schedule for planting; inspects plants after planting to insure they have survived transplanting.
Monitors budgetary expenditures to ensure conformance to amounts specified for contract tasks.
Projects contract costs for each site; inputs data into the computer to generate spreadsheets to establish the final projected amount of the contract.
Prepares contract documentation such as contract specifications, bid forms, billing forms, permits and various correspondences for supervisor's approval; tracks and maintains status of invoices for each site.
Conducts training sessions in "green industry" practices and techniques for seasonal employees, community groups and the general public.
Performs related work as required.
Inspects trees for signs of proper maintenance and care; diagnoses tree diseases, pests and environmental stresses; determines sites and species for tree planting requests; performs hazardous tree evaluations for tree removal requests; performs block inspections for inventory purposes; enters inventory data into database.
Receives and reviews requests for tree services; enters relevant data in tree manager database; inspects trees for planting, removal, pruning and spraying; recommends permit issuance to arborist.
Reviews construction plans and recommends preservation of existing trees; reviews plot plans to insure builders have scheduled tree planting in accordance with City ordinances and regulations, and Park standards; compiles information for invoices, punch lists, daily work schedules and prepares documentation for work conformance to specifications; coordinates invoice payments.
Responds to emergency calls of fallen trees on roadways, homes or cars; uses power saws to remove limbs from trees; recommends to arborist whether a maintenance crew should be dispatched to the scene.
Assists contract administrator in the inspection and monitoring of landscape construction and/or maintenance projects; ensures landscape contractors comply with contract terms, plans and specifications and meet City and departmental standards for quality of work.
Reviews landscape plans and recommends plantings to be preserved; inspects contractor work in progress to ensure services are performed in accordance with City ordinances and regulations and departmental standards; reinspects plantings to ascertain success of transplants.
GREEN STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE ASSIGNMENT
Assists the contract administrator in the inspection and monitoring of green stormwater infrastructure maintenance and construction projects insuring landscape, pipe and inlet contractors and staff crews are following departmental standards and city, state or federal regulations for green stormwater sites; inspects health of trees, shrubs, perennials and grasses; ensures that inlets, pretreatment devices, pipes, containment structures and soils are functioning per design; makes recommendations for repair of facilities, replacement of plant materials and other site restoration and/or improvements.
NATURAL RESOURCES ASSIGNMENT
Works with the Natural Resources staff, City employees, contractors, and community members to plan, implement, monitor, and maintain natural lands restoration projects; coordinates with Natural Resources staff to develop and draft management plans; provides data for incorporation into GIS databases; monitors restored and unrestored sites and reports on landscape factors such as vegetation composition, structure, condition, and factors impacting environmental or project function; documents conditions in the field; coordinates with contractors to implement restoration plans, documents contractor work to facilitate contract administration, and ensures compliance with contract terms and specifications.
Assists other staff with preparing sites for projects; implements and maintains projects such as invasive vegetation control and planting.
Assists park stewards and other partners with project planning and implementation.
Communicates with local agencies and public and private non-profit organizations related to natural lands restoration.
Serves on committees to represent the Parks and Recreation Department.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
KNOWLEDGE OF:
· the principles and practices of landscape design and construction
· the methods, practices, tools and materials used in the area of assignment
· the classification and structure of trees and their root systems
· the principles and practices of park construction inspection to ensure conformance to plans, specifications and contract requirements
· horticulture, plant ecology, propagation, and pathology.
· Ecosystems and natural processes
· Native and exotic flora of southeastern Pennsylvania
· Ecological restoration methods
· contractual practices relative to the preparation of landscape specifications
· the basic mathematical computations and tabulations necessary to calculate landscape or forest dimensions.
· City ordinances and regulations and Park standards concerning the planting and removal of street trees
· hazardous tree evaluation methods and techniques
· occupational hazards and safety precautions involved in maintenance work in the area of assignment
· standard computer software packages used in the production of spreadsheets and databases.
· the principles and practices of green stormwater infrastructure design
· maintenance standards for the care of trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants, grounds and green stormwater infrastructure
ABILITY TO:
· read and interpret plans, diagrams, blueprints, maps, and specifications.
· determine faulty construction and safety hazards and potential vandalism problems, and to recommend corrective action in the area of assignment
· follow instructions and safety precautions when using pesticides and sprays.
· operate an aerial lift device if required by assignment
· Propose appropriate plants, methods and materials for restoration projects if required by assignment
· learn to perform basic drafting skills.
· determine cost estimates and monitor expenditures for assigned contracts.
· determine the conformity of material quantity and quality at installation, and workmanship conforming with contract requirements, plans and specifications.
· explain contract deviations and to enforce compliance with contract specifications and other requirements firmly and tactfully.
· learn standards governing the construction of landscape projects and of tree work
· learn to identify native and non-native trees, shrubs, flowers and noxious weeds if required by assignment
· operate a variety of computer equipment.
· work independently as well as establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, contractors and others.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE (The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on XX/24.)
Successful completion of 60 college credits at an accredited college or university or technical school with major course work in horticulture, arboriculture, landscape design, agronomy, environmental science or closely related field.
AND
GENERAL EXPERIENCE:
OPTION 1:
Two years of experience in arboriculture.
OPTION 2:
Two years of experience in landscape maintenance.
OPTION 3:
Two years of experience planning, implementing, monitoring and maintaining natural lands restoration projects for a large urban park system.
OR
Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources which has included the experience as described above.
NOTE: Possession of a Certified Arborist designation by the International Society of Arboriculture may be substituted for the two years college requirement
NOTE: Possession of a Landscape Industry Certified designation by the National Association of Landscape Professional may be substituted for two years of the college education requirement
NOTE: Selective Factor Certification may be utilized, as needed, to fill specific positions. In accordance with Civil Service Regulation 11.032 - Selective Factor Certification - the appointing authority may request certification of eligible candidates experience in the area of assignment to fill specific positions in this class. Certification to fill such positions will be made from the two highest-ranking eligible candidates on the eligible list who possess the specified qualification.
PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.
LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND/OR CERTIFICATES
Possession of a valid proper class motor vehicle operator's license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prior to appointment and during tenure of employment as a Park/Water Projects Technician if required by work assignment.
Possession of a Certified Arborist designation by the International Society of Arboriculture or equivalent certification as deemed acceptable by the Department of Parks and Recreation prior to appointment and during tenure of employment as a Park/Water Projects Technician (Arboriculture) if required by work assignment.
Possession of a certificate as a Certified Pesticide Applicator Category 6 - Arboriculture and Shrubs and/or Category 7 - Turf as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prior to appointment and during tenure of employment as a Park/Water Projects Technician if required by work assignment.
Class Established - 4/66
Class Abolished - 5/85
Class Re‑established. - 6/90
Spec. Revision
CSC – 8/12; Ad Board – 9/12
Spec. Revision:
CSC – 5/18; Ad Board – 6/18
Spec. Revision:
CSC – 2/19
Ad. Board – 3/19
Latest Spec. Revision:
CSC – 1/25
Ad. Board – 2/25
CP