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.

Duties

Diagnoses tree and shrub biotic/abiotic disorders. Identifies the presence of pests and diseases using diagnostic tools. Develops an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan and establishes thresholds to guide treatment options. 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. Documents assessment and treatment recommendations using a condition assessment report. 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. 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

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 AN ARBORIST WITHOUT MORE THAN NORMAL SUPERVISION (SCREEN OUT) VEHICLE OPERATION Technical Practices (theoretical, precise, artistic) Use of Measuring Instruments Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (other than blueprints) Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Dexterity and Safety Ability to Operate Safely (Non-Motor Vehicle) Reliability and Dependability as an Arborist If your knowledge and ability in the SCREEN OUT factor above is not sufficient, you will receive no further consideration. In preparing your application, describe in detail the experience and training which you have had that specifically prepared you for this job and to perform the duties described for this job. Experience should be clearly described and documented in your resume. The qualifications reviewer will not assume performance of such duties by Job Titles alone. Address your knowledge, skills and/or abilities in the areas shown in the job-related factors. Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

There is no substitution of education for experience for Wage Grade (WG) positions.

Contacts

• Address Petersburg National Battlefield 1539 Hickory Hill Road Petersburg, VA 23803 US
• Name: Lisa Cupp
• Phone: 717-673-5505
• Email: [email protected]