Assistant Tree Trimmer

Overview

The City of Carson is seeking a qualified and motivated individual for the position of Assistant Tree Trimmer. The primary responsibilities include assisting with the trimming, pruning, and general maintenance of street and park trees. Work is performed from the ground, ladders, or aerial equipment using appropriate tools, such as chainsaws, ropes, and climbing gear, under the supervision of experienced personnel.

This position offers an excellent opportunity to develop skills in tree care and horticulture while contributing to the beauty and safety of the City’s urban forestry landscape.

The ideal candidate is interested in learning and growing in the field of arboriculture and has a basic understanding of horticulture, safe work practices, and teamwork. The candidate should value safety and be willing to work outdoors in different weather conditions. Experience using chainsaws or similar equipment for tree trimming is preferred. A Certified Arborist or Tree Worker Certification is a plus, but not required.

There is one (1) current full-time (FLSA: Non-Exempt) vacancy with a 4/10 schedule, working Monday through Thursday from 6:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (including a 1-hour unpaid lunch break). Work hours and/or the work schedule may be adjusted based on the operational needs of the City. This role requires schedule flexibility, as public safety events and community activities may occur during evenings, nights, and/or weekends.

Under supervision, performs a variety of unskilled and semi-skilled tree maintenance duties, including trimming and pruning trees and planting, transplanting and staking trees; operates and maintains equipment such as pole loppers and pole saws; trims or prunes trees from the ground, ladders or aerial equipment and with the aid of climbers, ropes and saddle, and belts.

This is the entry, training level class in the Tree Trimmer Job Series which consists of Assistant Tree Trimmer, Tree Trimmer I and Tree Trimmer II. Incumbents in the Assistant Tree Trimmer class perform unskilled and semi-skilled duties to assist other Tree Trimmers. This class is distinguished from the Tree Trimmer I class by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within the series.

Since this class is typically used as a training class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience. As experience is acquired, the employee performs with less immediate supervision and becomes proficient by demonstrating those skills necessary to perform as a Tree Trimmer I.

Incumbents in this classification must complete one year in this classification, must meet the minimum qualifications for Tree Trimmer I and must meet the Job Series guidelines to promote to Tree Trimmer I.

(These functions are representative and may not be present in all positions in the class. Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind related duties and work assignments.)

• Assists in trimming, pruning and maintaining street and park trees, working from the ground, ladders or aerial equipment with the aid of climbers, ropes and saddle, and belts.
• Assist in loading, transporting and unloading trees, equipment and supplies from vehicles.
• Assists in operating a chipper machine for the disposal of debris; assists in sweeping work area to keep free from debris.
• Assists in safely diverting traffic flow to gain access to parkways by applying principles in the Work Area Traffic Control Manual.
• Assists in checking location of power lines, pedestrians, equipment and traffic before cutting limbs to protect from falling debris; assists in removing weeds from around the tree area.
• Assists in digging holes using power auger to prepare area for tree planting.
• Assists in planting, transplanting and staking trees, back filling with soil and cleaning area after planting.
• Assists in performing minor maintenance on power equipment such as lubricating and adding oil and water.
• Assists in maintaining logs on mileage, equipment usage and types of tree serviced.
• Assists in sharpening hand tools using a grinding stone or hand file.
• Assists in watering and fertilizing trees using water truck.
• Assists in performing tree surgery.
• Performs related duties as required.

A typical way to obtain the requisite qualifications to perform the duties of this class is as follows:

Completion of high school or GED which ensures the ability to read and write at a level necessary for successful job performance. Some experience performing full-time, paid tree trimming work is desirable.

• Basic methods, techniques and tools used in tree maintenance work.
• Applicable sections of the California Vehicle Code and Work Area Traffic Control Manual.
• Appropriate health and safety practices and procedures.
• Characteristics of ornamental and shade trees common to the area.
• Basic recordkeeping techniques.