Michael Crast
Hudson NY
Summary
Forestry professional with extensive experience at the City of Albany, skilled in line clearance and heavy equipment operation. Proven track record in storm response and tree management, fostering teamwork and collaboration. Adept at training personnel in chainsaw safety and arboriculture techniques, ensuring operational efficiency and safety in all projects.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
Forester
City of Albany, NY
Albany, Ny
01.2020 - 11.2025
- Managed inventory of city trees located on streets, parks, and public rights-of-way.
- Conducted inspections of city trees along streets, parks, and rights-of-way for trimming and removal needs.
- Managed equipment and tool maintenance schedules, guaranteeing availability and functionality for fieldwork tasks.
- Instructed new forestry personnel in best practices for tree trimming and the safe removal of municipal trees.
- Facilitated training on basic chainsaw operation and safety protocols for City of Albany parks and recreation employees, adhering to ANSI standards.
- Managed citywide tree planting and watering operations to enhance urban greenery.
- Operated heavy machinery, such as bucket trucks, log loader grapple trucks, chip trucks, front end loaders with various attachments, backhoes, and street sweepers during the course of daily job assignments.
- Coordinated daily operational assignments for forestry crew to ensure efficient and safe facilitation of trimming, tree removals, stump removal, and planting activities.
- Managed procurement of forestry supplies and equipment for City of Albany operations.
- Oversaw and coordinated forestry operations during tree emergencies, ensuring efficient road and house clearing of city trees in public spaces.
- Facilitated ongoing training and support initiatives to improve crew members' proficiency in tree assessment and adherence to safety protocols.
Assistant Forester
City Of Albany
Albany, NY
10.2018 - 01.2020
- Organized daily forestry job assignments for tree trimming and or removal operations of city of Albany trees within city streets, parks, and or right of ways.
- General Maintenance and or repairs of forestry equipment
- Training of all forestry employees in the proper trimming and removal practices of all city trees.
- Oversaw & continued ACRT training of all forestry employees
- Handled and oversaw all forestry tree emergency procedures until completion.
Line Clearance Tree Trimmer
City of Albany
Albany, NY
05.1995 - 10.2018
- Led forestry tree trimming and tree removal crew in the daily job assignment of city's trees.
- Operated forestry bucket trucks (35' to 65' feet) for trimming and removal operations.
- Worked during storm cleanup operations.
- Class B license
- Operated all forestry heavy equipment and city of Albany front end loaders, Graders, tractors and street sweepers and commercial vehicle trucks for various daily tasks such as storm work for snow plowing and or emergency work.
Equipment Operator 1
City of Albany
Albany, NY
04.1994 - 05.1995
- Performed maintenance tasks by operating heavy machinery, contributing to timely completion of roadwork projects.
- Obtained Class B license to operate commercial vehicles safely and efficiently.
- Operated snow plowing equipment during winter weather events to maintain safe road conditions.
Laborer 1
City of Albany
Albany, NY
06.1992 - 04.1994
- Assisted in maintaining city parks and public spaces through landscaping and or debris removal.
- Executed snow plowing operations for city streets to ensure safe and accessible roadways.
Education
Associates Degree in Biblical Studies - Associates Degree in Biblical Studies
Vision Christian Bible College And Seminary
Clermont, FL06-2015
High School Diploma -
Albany High School
Albany, NY06-1998
Skills
- Line clearance
- Arboriculture techniques
- Storm response
- Chainsaw safety
- Tree planting
- Heavy equipment operation
- Project management
- First aid and CPR
- Tree removals
- Commercial Drivers LIcense (Class B)
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Multitasking Abilities
Timeline
Forester
City of Albany, NY
01.2020 - 11.2025
Assistant Forester
City Of Albany
10.2018 - 01.2020
Line Clearance Tree Trimmer
City of Albany
05.1995 - 10.2018
Equipment Operator 1
City of Albany
04.1994 - 05.1995
Laborer 1
City of Albany
06.1992 - 04.1994
Associates Degree in Biblical Studies - Associates Degree in Biblical Studies
Vision Christian Bible College And Seminary
High School Diploma -
Albany High School