Position Title: Tree Care Groundsman Tech

Department: Trees

Reports To: Arborist

Location: Audubon Zoo

General Summary: The Tree Care Groundsman Tech is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and welfare of our guests, as well as our property pertaining to our tree collection. The Tree Care Groundsman Tech, under the supervision of the arborist, is responsible for the maintenance of our collection of historic oak trees. They will perform preventative maintenance, proper use of tools, supplies, and equipment including chainsaws, vehicles, and chemicals.

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To deliver on the Audubon mission, the Tree Care Groundsman Tech will:

Provide a guest experience of outstanding quality

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• Work alongside fellow Tree Care Techs to perform tree pruning and removals in accordance with ANSI and company standards, under the supervision of the arborist.
• Must be familiar with industry safety standards and procedures and is willing to enforce these standards as well as company safety policies.
• Perform daily visual assessment of overhanging branches to determine their health and safety.
• Assist arborist in assessing damages for disaster recovery claims.
• Assist arborist in assessing problem tree areas.
• Operate and perform basic maintenance of the chipper, arborists truck and all power tools.
• Strong commitment to racial justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Weave quality entertainment through the guest experience

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• Maintain engaging landscape throughout Audubon facilities that promotes an immersive and geographically accurate experience.
• Keep trees lifted above pathways and roadways to city requirements.
• Safe operation of large power equipment including bobcat, backhoe, and forklift
• Ability to work independently from arborist on tree projects or use of large power equipment.

Preserve native Louisiana habitats.

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• Oversee tree root protection efforts in all facilities, including mulching of trees in high traffic areas,
• Maintain trees throughout the Zoo and Park (including historic live oaks) through proper pruning techniques, removal of deadwood and coordinating health care treatments including mulching, fertilizing and termite protection.
• Maintain internal mulch piles by ensuring the appropriate chipped trees are added, turning the piles, and distributing as requested.

Provide opportunities for recreation in natural settings.

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• Maintain a live oak canopy in Audubon Park that provides shaded recreation areas while preserving open spaces.
• Ensure the health and safety of Park trees through routine inspections.

Operate a financially self-sufficient collection of museums and parks.

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• Ensure the future of all trees by performing routine maintenance.
• Directly interface and oversee the work of external contractors, including training them in Audubon safety policies and general oversite of their project work while on Audubon property.

The above listed duties are general statements of required major duties and responsibilities performed on a regular and continuous basis. They do not exclude other duties as assigned.

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To deliver on the Audubon service promise, the Tree Care Groundsman Tech will:

Welcome

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• Make eye contact with every customer encounter, smile at every person, offer friendly phrases and greetings.
• Wear identification badge.
• Walk individual to destination instead of pointing; offer assistance to people who look confused.
• Assume ownership of potential safety hazards (wipe-up spill, pick up trash). Always have the camera-ready look.

Share

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• Maintain positive attitude, pleasant tone of voice (remember it is not what you say, but how you say it).
• Coach coworkers on service expectations.
• Utilize the power of teamwork to give excellent service.
• Know when to involve management.

Inspire

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• Know the answers to questions or seek out the answers.
• Utilize proper phone etiquette (answer phone within three rings, smile before answering call, ask for permission and wait for response before placing caller on hold).
• Ensure work area is free of food, drink, socialization, and personal business.
• Follow Dress Code Policy on clothing and grooming.
• Keep unpleasant concerns behind closed doors (vent backstage).

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Experience: 4-5 years field experience.

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  Ability to assist arborist in climbing and rigging techniques and to be ground assistant.
• Must be a team player and be able to keep a safe work site.
• Proper chainsaw operating ability
• Must know proper pruning techniques
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to establish and maintain positive, effective, and efficient relationships with all levels of staff, volunteers, and visitors
• Must be available to work some weekends and holidays.
• Occasional overtime may be required

Education: Required high school diploma or GED.

Licensure/Certification: Louisiana driver’s license

Machinery/Tools/Equipment Requirements:

• Required experience with chainsaws, pole saws, chippers, and blowers.
• Preferred experience with or willingness to learn operation of bucket trucks, aerial lifts, forklift, backhoe and/or other utility vehicles.

Physical Requirements:

• This position is physically demanding, requiring working outside 100%.
• Sitting or standing, bending, stooping, and the ability to carry items weighing up to 75 pounds.
• Constant adequate range of motion and mobility required.
• Regular near acuity with clarity of vision at 20 inches or less required.
• Verbal communication and the ability to express and exchange ideas by means of language expected.
• Regular hearing and the ability to perceive the nature of sounds.

Environmental/Working Conditions:

• Ability to work in New Orleans weather including hot, humid summers, and cold, wet winters.
• Working long hours between breaks or meals required.
• Ability to work under and handle stress in an appropriate manner required.
• May be exposed to high, medium, or low noise intensity.
• Constant contact with co-workers required.
• Affinity for animals preferred.
• Exposure to fluctuations in temperatures may be required.
• Exposure to outdoor conditions may be required.