Tree Trimmer

ESSENTIAL SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, and/or EDUCATION

• Must be a qualified forestry journeyman, by completing an accredited apprentice program.
• Must have a valid Class A CDL in the State of Illinois.
• Must possess State of Illinois Commercial Not-for-hire Applicator and Operator Licenses.
• Should have an effective working knowledge of ANSI A300, ANSI Z133.1, cutting, herbicides and other commonly used ROW clearing methods.
• Possess Flagger Certification, Forklift Certification as well as CPR, First Aid, and AED Certification; all may be obtained through the cooperative.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS and WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to lift/carry and push/pull weights up to 75 pounds, stand for long periods of time, walk on uneven terrain, bend and stoop, climb, reach above head, use one or both hands and possess arm-hand steadiness.

Must have the ability to operate or have the ability to learn how to operate various types of equipment including but not limited to a chain saw, forklift, pick-up truck, trailer, chipper, hand lines and knot tying, pulleys, radio equipment, iPad.

This position requires the skills used in simple arithmetic and measurement. This position also requires the use of troubleshooting skills. Must be able to work on a one-to-one basis and with groups. Must have good customer relations skills.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus. Other specific abilities required are the ability to talk using radio and telephone and hear within normal range.

Primarily, work is outside where the employee is exposed to all four seasons and the effects of each including wet and/or humid conditions. The employee will be exposed to moderate noise due to equipment and power tools. Overtime may be required. Must live within 30 miles of the reporting warehouse.

*To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. An employee will also perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor and other management as required.

Applicator and Operator Licenses Guideline

Successful applicants who do not hold the State of Illinois Commercial Not-for-hire Applicator License must obtain it within 30 days of hire. Failure to do so will render the employee unqualified to perform the essential functions of this position. Unqualified persons shall be terminated.

At this time, testing is only administered on Tuesdays and Thursdays; therefore, employees may take the exam on company time. If the first attempt is unsuccessful, additional testing shall be done on employee time, using paid time off if available.

A forestry journeyman who is employed by Southwestern Electric for less than one (1) year shall accept the financial responsibility of obtaining and/or renewing the applicator license. After one (1) year of employment, Southwestern Electric will accept financial responsibility for the first exam. However, if an employee fails to pass the exam on the first attempt, the financial responsibility will fall back on the employee.

While the licenses must be renewed annually, applicators and operators must only test every three (3) years. The Cooperative Extension Office provides training and testing periodically throughout the year. Therefore, during the year in which the employee must test, SWECI shall send the employee to this training and testing to further cultivate the employee’s knowledge and understanding as opposed to studying on his/her own.