KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of:
1. Various ropes, knots, and splices to ensure proper tree pruning maintenance
2. Different cuts used for felling and limb removal to maintain the safety, health, and aesthetics of the tree
3. Appropriate rigging procedures using harnesses, ropes, saw chaps, etc. that allows for proper equipment and crew safety
4. Different types of climbing methods to remove and/or prune trees to provide for the safety and health of the tree
5. Pruning techniques to trim and/or remove excess tree limbs/branches to ensure public safety and the health of the tree
6. Safe Working Loads (SWL), Working Load Limits (WLL) in conjunction with Rope strengths in conjunction with wood weights to prevent potential hazards when elevated off the ground
7. Basic mathematics and formulas to ensure proper arboricultural operations
8. Operating and service requirements of various types of specialized equipment to ensure proper use for performing arboricultural practices
9. Equipment that is best suited for different types of trees to ensure proper pruning/removal techniques
10. Safe pesticide application techniques to comply with (Department Pesticides Regulations) DPR
11. The minimum levels of tree maintenance as prescribed by Caltrans policy and Caltrans Maintenance Manual to ensure employee, public, and environmental safety
12. Proper signing, flagging, and lane closure procedures to ensure employee and public safety
13. Safety regulations and practices when using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and hazardous chemicals to ensure employee, public, and environmental safety
14. Training techniques (e.g., maintenance and use of equipment, climbing techniques, arboricultural knowledge) to ensure tree maintenance is carried out in accordance with safety and Caltrans standards
15. Seasonal pruning requirements, to remain in compliance with laws, guidelines, policies (e.g., Migratory birds, protected species) to ensure tree crew is educated
16. Basic first aid and CPR to ensure tree crew’s safety in the event of an emergency
17. Annual aerial rescue training and procedures to ensure the safety of tree crew in the event of an emergency
18. Procedures for treatment of diseases and pests that inflict trees to prevent the spread to other host trees
19. Tree identification and their growth patterns to ensure proper equipment is utilized for the maintenance of trees
20. Principles and techniques of effective supervision to ensure work is completed in a timely and safe manner
21. Current developments in equipment and materials used in tree maintenance to ensure optimal job performance
22. Botanical and common names of trees to identify diseases and pests for cultural practices and record keeping
23. A supervisor’s role in Safety, Health, Equal Employment Opportunity Program and labor relations objectives and the processes available to meet these program objectives to ensure that department is in compliance.