About This Role
This arborist role involves developing and executing year-round pruning schedules, leading plant health care operations, and maintaining topiary regimens across various farms and properties. The position suits a certified arborist with strong leadership skills who can ensure safety, compliance, and high standards in all arboricultural practices.
Responsibilities
- Develop, implement, and execute a year-round pruning schedule designed to maintain proper structure, aesthetics, and health of trees
- Lead all aspects of plant health care operations at all SHL farms, including monitoring, treatment schedule, diagnosis of plant health issues, soil testing, and management
- Maintain a topiary pruning regimen for selected trees, including pleaching, pollarding, table-top, and espalier pruning techniques for selected plant material on all Summerhill properties
- Ensure all aspects of tree pruning and plant health care operations at SHL Farms are aligned with production, sales, and project needs and specifications
- Issue reports on and communicate executed work weekly to SHL Farms and Senior Management, and ensure open lines of communication regarding all aspects of SHL Farms arboricultural operations are clearly and consistently communicated
- Ensure pruning conforms to all ANSI-A300 pruning standards and established, sound arboricultural practice
- Assist with the progressive development of best practices for SHL farm maintenance regimen, including developing advanced techniques for plant health care, weed control, cover crops, root pruning, soil management, and soil mixes for production
- Maintain ISA Certified Arborist and relevant NYSDEC Pesticide Applicators License (1A and 3A)
- Ensure all pesticide applications at SHL Farms + Summerhill Landscapes + Summerhill Estate Care are tracked and reported per NYSDEC Law
- Manage others engaged in tree trimming work and train lower-level employees in sound arboricultural practices
- Ensure safety and protection of all involved in pruning operations is executed to the highest standard, including overseeing weekly tailgate training sessions and necessary training in best practices for safe pruning operations
- Coordinate with the Senior Management team on the estimation of proposals
- Monitor the operation and maintenance of boom lifts, chippers, tractors, power saws, trucks, sprayers, and other equipment and tools to ensure proper use
- Climb trees, using climbing hooks and belts, or climb ladders to gain access to work areas, as necessary
- Perform PHC treatment applications as needed
- Ensure all PHC equipment is calibrated, clean, and always maintained
- Ensure all chemical storage inventory is kept up to date and in conjunction with NYSDEC regulations
- Continuously research and work with vendors on improving product usage and rotation for optimum results in tree health and product costs
