Urban Forestry Maintenance Specialist

Job Overview

Urban Forestry Maintenance Specialist at City of Richmond, Virginia

This role is essential to maintaining the City’s forestry system, requiring proficiency in tree identification, pruning, and removal, and the safe operation of aerial lift equipment.

• Carries out ground‑based and aerial tree maintenance applications, including tree identification, crown cleaning, crown restoration, crown reduction, crown elevation, sanitation pruning, and initial form establishment pruning in accordance with ANSI ZI33.1 and ANZI A300 Standards.
• Participates in tree removal activities using an aerial lift truck, articulated knuckle‑boom loader, and stump grinder, managing site preparation, hazard identification, traffic control, debris staging, and transportation of removed material.
• Demonstrates safe use and operation of hand and power tools, PPE, and work zone protocols to emergency response backup personnel.
• Safely operates and drives an aerial lift truck, articulated knuckle‑boom loader, flatbed, and water trucks to tree maintenance work sites.
• Responds to weather‑related emergencies, including snow, ice removal, and storm damage trees that may involve clearing roadways, removing broken hanging limbs, and other related activities.
• Maintains tools, vehicle, and equipment and records relevant information from emergency dispatchers.

• High school diploma or GED.
• Three years of experience directly related to tree maintenance and forestry operations.
• A current and valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with a satisfactory driving record.
• International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certification for tree maintenance (preferred).
• Certified Tree Safety Professional, Tree Care Industry Association (preferred).

• Virginia Retirement System (VRS).
• Language Incentive.
• Referral Bonus.
• Tuition Assistance Program.

The City of Richmond provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

If you require reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to participate in the job application and/or the interview process, please contact Jessica McKenzie, Human Resources Manager by email enzie.

The City of Richmond is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, the City of Richmond will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations.

The City of Richmond Values Veterans. The City of Richmond is a proud partner with the US Army Partnership for Your Success PaYS Program.