TEMPORARY LANDSCAPE LABORER

EMERALD ASH BORER TREATMENT SPECIALIST

Recruitment #1802-1020DC-001

Introduction

The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) was confirmed to be in Milwaukee in 2012. It is an invasive wood boring beetle that can kill ash trees within 2-4 years.

The City of Milwaukee Forestry Division is fighting this deadly pest with regular inoculations of City trees as part of its environmentally sound urban forestry management plan. “Emerald Ash Borer Treatment Specialist (Temporary Landscape Laborer)” is a temporary position for the summer season of 2018.

Purpose

Under the direction of an Urban Forestry Manager, the Emerald Ash Borer Treatment Specialist (Temporary Landscape Laborer) primarily performs chemical treatment of ash trees at risk to Emerald Ash Borer (EAB).

Essential Functions

  • Work on a small crew performing chemical treatment of ash street trees and disseminating information to the public.
  • Perform horticulture tasks related to the propagation, installation, maintenance, harvesting, and removal of trees, shrubs, flowers, ornamental grasses, and turf on City greenspaces and in the City of Milwaukee nursery.
  • Operate and drive specialized outdoor power equipment and power tools to perform tasks, including pickup trucks, tractors, chippers, chainsaws, riding and push mowers, leaf blowers, and trimmers.
  • Utilize various hand tools to carry out tasks, including shovels, hand pruners, hand tampers, hand saws, and wire cutters.

Reasonable accommodations requested by qualified individuals with disabilities will be made in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.

Conditions of Employment

The Emerald Ash Borer Treatment Specialist must be willing and able to do the following:

  • Work outdoors and withstand prolonged exposure to variable weather conditions.
  • Perform moderate to heavy physical labor, exerting up to 100 lbs. of force occasionally and transferring objects weighing 50 lbs. frequently.
  • Walk distances, climb stairs, and ascend ladders to heights of 10 feet or higher. Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) as directed.

Minimum Requirements

  1. State of Wisconsin Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification (Category 3.0-Turf and Landscape) at time of appointment and throughout employment.
    IMPORTANT NOTE: To read an overview of this certification, visit the State of Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP): https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Licenses_Permits/CommercialApplicator.aspx. Next, click on the link entitled “UW-Extension Pesticide Applicator Training schedules and materials” to learn how to take steps to obtain this required certification. The UW-Extension offers training materials for self-study for $42 (pdf version) or $47 (printed version). In addition, optional live review sessions are scheduled from March 7th through April 18th at several Wisconsin sites for a $30 fee. There is no fee to take the required examination.
  2. Valid State of Wisconsin Individual Commercial Pesticide Applicator License within 14 days of employment and throughout employment.
    Note: Government employees must file an application, but are exempt from the license fee. DPW-Forestry will assist candidates hired with the licensing process.
  3. Valid Driver’s License at time of appointment and throughout employment. Must have a good driving record.

Knowledges, Skills, Abilities & Other Characteristics

  • Ability to learn plant biology basics, including how to assess and identify a variety of tree and plant species and common insect pests and diseases.
  • Ability to learn to identify and distinguish ash trees from other common street trees in Milwaukee.
  • Knowledge of safety principles and the ability to consistently follow American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety regulations, rules, and work practices and procedures applicable to the landscape and arboricultural industry.
  • Ability to make basic calculations, for example, to determine proper amounts of chemicals and fertilizers to use.
  • Ability to read and understand information presented in writing, such as instructions, policies and procedures, product labels, manuals, and self-study materials to prepare for job-related certification.
  • Ability to understand and carry out verbal directions.
  • Ability to work independently and cooperatively with other employees in a crew environment.
  • Ability to be courteous and pleasant when interacting with the public.
  • Ability to learn to safely inject pesticides in City trees.
  • Ability to learn to propagate, plant, maintain, and remove small trees, shrubs, flowers, and turf.
  • Ability to learn to safely operate vehicles and outdoor equipment such as riding and push mowers, pickup trucks, small tractors, chippers, and ATVs.
  • Ability to learn to properly operate power equipment including chainsaws, leaf blowers, and brush trimmers.
  • Ability to correctly use tools such as shovels, hand pruners, hand tampers, hand saws, and wire cutters.
  • Ability to complete treatment records and daily activity reports accurately.

Current Salary

The current hourly pay rate (PR 9LN) for City of Milwaukee residents is $15.10, and the rate for non-residents is $14.73.

Selection Process

THE SELECTION PROCESS will be job-related and may consist of one or more of the following: an evaluation of related education, experience, and accomplishments; interviews; or other assessment methods. The Department of Public Works reserves the right to call only the most qualified candidates to an interview. Information from the selection process will be used to make a hiring decision.

Additional Information

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

  • Applications can be accessed by visiting www.jobaps.com/MIL.
  • To contact the Department of Employee Relations, call 414.286.3751 or send a message to staffinginfo@milwaukee.gov.
  • The Department of Employee Relations is located in City Hall, 200 E Wells St, Room 706, Milwaukee, WI 53202.

Conclusion

EEO 802

The City of Milwaukee values and encourages diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.