Senior Tree Trimmer

Senior Tree Trimmer

Take your tree care career to new heights! The City of Modesto is seeking a Senior Tree Trimmer with the skills and experience to handle advanced tree maintenance, pruning, and removals. Bring your two years of journey-level experienceArborist certification strongly desiredand help lead the way in caring for our City's urban forest. Upcoming salary increases and incentives : 3% effective 7 / 1 / 2026, 2.5% education incentive - Bachelor's degree, 5% education incentive - Master's degree.

The Senior Tree Trimmer is responsible to organize, assign and review the work of assigned personnel engaged in tree trimming and tree maintenance activities; to perform duties requiring specialized knowledge; and to provide administrative support to the assigned supervisor. International Society of Arborist Certification is strongly desired at time of hire and required within one year of accepting the position.

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 the 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 with the words "SEE RESUME." Applicants considered to be the most qualified will be invited to continue in the testing process. Human Resources reserves the right to revise the testing process to best meet the needs of the City. The City of Modesto is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following :

Plan, prioritize, and review the work of staff assigned to a variety of tree maintenance programs.

Develop schedules and methods to accomplish assignments ensuring work is completed in a timely and efficient manner.

Participate in evaluating the activities of staff, recommending improvements, and modifications.

Provide and coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies.

Using an aerial lift to trim and prune trees to provide clearance of streets, sidewalks, buildings, signs, and lights as well as to ensure the continued health of the tree.

Perform ground trimming using pole saws and hydraulic loppers.

Remove standing and fallen trees, stumps, limbs and related debris.

Plant, stake and maintain trees on City-owned property and in the public right-of-way.

Operate tree trimming and maintenance equipment such as aerial boom trucks, chippers, stump grinders, dump trucks, and power tools such as chain saws and hydraulic loppers.

Climb trees using ropes and gaffs, to maintain trees.

Spray and inject pesticides; bolt and cable tree limbs.

Respond to requests and inquiries from the general public.

Identify equipment needs for each assigned project.

Utilize proper safety precautions related to all work performed.

Perform the most complex tree trimming activities.

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 principles and practices of technical and functional supervision and training; methods and techniques used in the tree trimming and maintenance; uses and purposes of tools and equipment related to tree trimming and maintenance; uses and purposes of knots and ropes; safe work practices; office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases. Ability to provide technical and functional supervision over assigned staff; effectively train staff; perform the most complex tree trimming and related maintenance duties; on a continuous basis, know and understand maintenance activities and observe safety rules; interpret work orders and explain jobs to other employees; operate a variety of vehicular and stationary mechanical equipment in a safe and effective manner; climb trees with the aid of ropes and gaffs, to maintain trees; use and operate hand tools, mechanical equipment, and power tools and equipment required for the work in a safe and efficient manner; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; 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 : Two years of responsible journey experience equivalent to a Tree Trimmer in the City of Modesto. Training : High School diploma or GED equivalency. License or Certificate : Possession of a valid Class B Commercial California driver's license with specific endorsements is required within sixty (60) days of appointment. International Society of Arborist (ISA) Certification is required by end of probationary period. Tree Risk Assessment Qualification is desirable once ISA Arborist Certification is acquired. Possession of Pesticide Applicator's Certificate is desirable.

Physical and mental requirements : Mobility : frequent performance of heavy manual labor; frequent standing for long period of time; frequent bending and squatting. Lifting : frequent lifting up to 75 pounds; occasional lifting up to 100 pounds. Vision : constant use of overall vision; may be required to wear eye protection. Dexterity : frequent grasping, holding, and reaching. Hearing / Talking : frequent hearing and talking in person. May be required to wear ear protection or hear in noisy conditions. Emotional / Psychological : frequent coworker contact; occasional working alone. Environmental : frequent exposure to loud noise; frequent exposure to chemicals, fumes, and other environmental substances.

Working conditions : Work is performed in a typical outdoor environment on a year-round basis subject to street or field noise and year round weather conditions. Work requires exposure to loud equipment and machinery. Work occurs at varying locations. Positions may require occasional overtime and weekend work and travel is rare.