Operations Supervisor - Forestry

Operations Supervisor

Calling all certified arborists! The City of Modesto's Forestry Division is growing and we're on the lookout for an experienced Operations Supervisor to help lead our amazing team! If you have a passion for trees, would love spending your time in an office setting and outdoors, and have experience supervising crews in Urban Forestry, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.

Join us in shaping a greener, healthier city one branch at a time!

Upcoming Salary Increases and Incentives :

3% effective 7 / 1 / 2026

2.5% Education Incentive - Bachelor's Degree

5% Education Incentive - Master's Degree

The City of Modesto is seeking a skilled leader to join our Forestry Division! The Forestry Operations Supervisor plans, organizes, directs, and oversees a variety of activities related to maintaining and repairing streets, parks, and trees, while performing technical tasks in Urban Forestry.

This role requires Arborist Certification within one year of appointment but if you're already a certified arborist, even better! Bring your expertise and help us keep Modesto's urban forest thriving.

Application Process : Applicants will be assessed on the application submitted. Due to the volume of applications received, resumes will not be screened for the purpose of determining who is most qualified to compete in the testing process. It is the applicant's responsibility to fill out the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of the application with complete information and adequate detail. Do not substitute any part of the application form with the words "see resume". The following information is provided for you to use as a reference and as a planning tool. Human Resources is unable to schedule make-up examinations. Applicants considered to be the most qualified will be invited to continue in the testing process.

Tentative Testing Schedule Online Exam October 30, 2025 - November 5, 2025

Human Resources reserves the right to revise the testing process to best meet the needs of the City. We are an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Essential and Marginal Function Statements :

Recommend and assist in the implementation of goals and objectives; establish schedules and methods for maintaining and repairing City facilities, equipment, and grounds.

Plan, prioritize, assign, supervise, and review the work of staff involved in the maintenance and repair of the City's fleet, parks and park facilities, buildings, streets, trees, infrastructure, and parking lots.

Evaluate operations and activities of assigned responsibilities; recommend improvements and modifications; prepare various reports on operations and activities.

Participate in budget preparation and administration; prepare cost estimates for budget recommendations; submit justifications for equipment, materials, and supplies; monitor and control expenditures.

Participate in the selection of staff; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline procedures.

Review the more complex maintenance needs to determine appropriate action.

Coordinate assigned activities across departments; inspect the work of staff and contractors; ensure internal and external customer service standards are met.

Review work orders to ensure accuracy of data and satisfactory completion of work.

Ensure compliance with pertinent federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and rules.

Coordinate work with outside contractors; monitor work performed and associated costs.

Coordinate the work unit safety program, ensuring that training is provided as appropriate.

Maintain time, material, and equipment use records.

Requisition supplies and materials.

Answer questions and provide information to the public; investigate complaints and recommend corrective action to resolve complaints, as necessary.

Represent unit on committees, to outside organizations, and at staff subcommittees, as necessary.

Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees, and the public using principles of good customer service.

Observe and maintain a safe working environment in compliance with established safety programs and procedures.

Marginal Functions :

Perform related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications :

Knowledge of :

Materials, methods, practices, equipment, and elements of construction, maintenance, and repair as they relate to the assigned operations.

Types and level of maintenance and repair activities generally performed in a streets, buildings, fleet, park, or urban forestry program.

Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.

Principles and practices of safety management.

Principles and practices of budget monitoring.

Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, rules, and regulations.

Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

When assigned to Forestry :

International Society of Arborists (ISA) Best Management Practices

Safety Requirements for Arboricultural Operations (ANSI Z133)

Ability to :

Organize, implement, and direct assigned operations and activities.

Interpret, explain, and apply City and department policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.

Assist in the development and monitoring of an assigned program budget.

Develop and recommend policies and procedures related to assigned operations.

Plan, estimate, direct, coordinate, schedule, and review the work of others.

Operate and maintain equipment and tools used in the field.

Identify and implement effective courses of action to complete assigned work.

Diagnose maintenance problems and develop appropriate course of action.

Maintain accurate records and prepare reports.

Supervise, train, and evaluate assigned staff.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.

Experience and Training Guidelines :

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be :

Experience : Three years of increasingly responsible experience performing construction and maintenance work in the assigned area of responsibility, including one year providing technical and functional supervision over assigned personnel

Training : Equivalent to an Associate's degree from an accredited college with major course work in business administration, public administration, or a related field.

License or Certificate : Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid California driver's license.

Physical and Mental Requirements :

Mobility : frequent use of keyboard; frequent sitting for long periods of time; occasional bending or squatting. Lifting : frequently up to 25 pounds; occasionally up to 50 pounds. Vision : constant use of overall vision; frequent reading and close-up work; occasional color and depth vision. Dexterity : frequent repetitive motion; frequent writing; frequent grasping, holding, and reaching. Hearing / Talking : frequent hearing and talking, in person and on the phone. Emotional / Psychological : frequent decision-making and concentration; frequent public and / or coworker contact; occasional working alone. Environmental : frequent exposure to noise.

Working Conditions :

Work is performed in a typical temperature-controlled office environment subject to typical office noise and environment. Some duties involve working outside in a variety of climates and working in traffic. Some positions may be assigned to remote locations. Positions may require occasional overtime or weekend work and travel is rare.