Job Description

Description
The PUBLIC WORKS AGENCY, Roads and Transportation Department is responsible for the planning, designing, funding, building, operating and maintaining the County Road System, approximately 542 centerline miles of roadway, bridges, drainage and related transportation facilities, coordination of unincorporated area public transit needs, and provision of general transportation advice to the Board of Supervisors.

THE POSITION
Under general supervision, performs a variety of work in the maintenance of trees on road right-of-ways and performs related duties as required.

THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE
The successful candidate not only possesses the minimum requirements of the position but also possesses current or very recent employment in the tree care field.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
The Tree Trimmer II class differs from the Tree Trimmer I class in that incumbents are more highly skilled in all phases of tree trimming and may perform training and lead functions as required.

APPROXIMATE SALARIES
Tree Trimmer I: $23.97 - $27.47/hourly
Tree Trimmer II: $26.70 - $30.66 /hourly

A general salary increase will be effective December 24, 2023; and an additional increase of 3.5% will be effective December 22, 2024.

EDUCATIONAL/BILINGUAL INCENTIVE
Incumbents may be eligible to receive an educational incentive of either 2.5%, for an associate\'s degree, 3.5%, for a bachelor\'s degree, or 5% for a master\'s degree that is not required to work in the classification. Incumbents may also be eligible for bilingual incentive pay depending upon operational needs and certification skills.
Examples Of Duties
Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Performs trimming, topping, takedowns, cabling, and roping off trees and shrubs threatening private property or public safety.
• Operates motorized vehicles and equipment such as pick-up trucks,
  dump trucks, bucket trucks, chippers, and stump grinders.
• Uses and maintains chainsaws and a variety of hand and power tools and safety equipment.
• Ensures all safety precautions are being observed at all times.
• Inspects trees & shrubs for insects, diseases, and split or weak crotches.
• Responds to off-duty emergency calls to alleviate hazardous conditions caused by high winds, storms, downed trees, or other situations.
• Performs worksite set-up; sets-up and removes traffic control; and flags traffic.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Tree Trimmers are represented by the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 501 and are eligible for overtime compensation.
Typical Qualifications
These are entrance requirements to the examination process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.

EDUCATION, TRAINING and EXPERIENCE
Any combination of education and experience leading to the acquisition of the required knowledge, skills and abilities. The required knowledge, skills and abilities can also be obtained by the equivalent of one (1) year (Tree Trimmer I) to two (2) years (Tree Trimmer II) of experience in the maintenance and care of trees.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• 
  Must possess and maintain a valid California driver\'s license; and
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal. Skills must be demonstrated in the completion of the employment application and supplemental questionnaire.
• Employees will be required to obtain a California Commercial Class B driver\'s license as a condition of passing initial probation. Tree Trimmer II requires possession of a valid California Commercial Class B driver\'s license. A Class A driver\'s license is highly desirable. Incumbents who possess a Commercial driver\'s license are subject to the Department of Transportation\'s Random Drug and Alcohol Testing Program.
• Employees must meet requirements for the Cal/OSHA Respiratory Fit Program.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Requires the ability to stand, walk on uneven terrain, kneel, crouch, work at heights and depths, stoop, twist, climb, maintain stamina, lift heavy items (up to 50 pounds); and work safely while exposed to inclement weather, darkness, environmental conditions, vibration, confining work space, mechanical and electrical hazards.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES
Knowledge of: operational safety procedures, laws and first aid; and the proper selection, use, operation and maintenance of tree trimming equipment.

Ability to: maneuver in and properly trim tall trees; comprehend, follow and convey written and oral instructions; and apply horticulture practices.
Recruitment Process
FINAL FILING DATE: Your application must be received by the County of Ventura, Human Resources no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 24, 2023.

To apply online, please refer to our web site at www.ventura.org/jobs. A paper application can be obtained by calling (805) 654-5129. Our address is County of Ventura Human Resources Division, 800 South Victoria Avenue, L-1970, Ventura, CA 93009.

Applicants must provide sufficient information under the Education/Work experience portion of the application and supplemental questionnaire to thoroughly and accurately demonstrate your qualifications in order to determine eligibility. A resume may be attached to supplement your responses in the above-referenced sections; however, it may not be submitted in lieu of the application.

NOTE: If presently permanently employed in another "merit" or "civil service" public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a "merit" or "civil service" style examination, then appointment by "Lateral Transfer" may be possible. If interested, please click here (Download PDF reader) for additional information.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE \xe2\x80\x93 qualifying: All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this exam at the time of filing. This questionnaire may be used throughout the examination process to assist in determining each applicant\'s qualifications and acceptability for the position. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire may result in removal of the application from further consideration.

APPLICATION EVALUATION \xe2\x80\x93 qualifying: All applications will be reviewed to determine whether the stated requirements are met. Applicants meeting the stated requirements will be invited to continue to the next step in the recruitment process.
PRACTICAL EXAMINATION - 100%: Candidates will be required to complete several job-related tasks where essential job duties and the job environment are simulated. The method of completing the tasks, the time required, and the final product will be scored and evaluated. Practical examinations may also encompass actual job performance in the position and/or successful completion of any required job training. Candidates must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list. Candidates successfully completing the examination process may be placed on an eligible list for a period of one (1) year. The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill present and future regular, temporary, fixed-term, intermittent and extra-help vacancies. There is currently one (1) Regular vacancy and one (1) anticipated vacancy.

NOTE: If appointed at the lower level, incumbent may be promoted to the higher level without further examination upon meeting the minimum requirements, demonstrating satisfactory performance, and in accordance with the business needs of the department.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A thorough post offer, pre-employment background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information, and driving record will be required for this position. For those classifications that are subject to Department of Transportation drug and alcohol testing regulations, incumbents will be tested prior to driving a commercial vehicle and may be randomly tested thereafter. For further information regarding this recruitment, please contact Kelli Curnow by email at kelli.curnow@ventura.org.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.