Arboricultural Inspector

City-of-Oakland,-Ca; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Oakland seeks an Arboricultural Inspector to join the Oakland Public Works Department, with one vacancy in the Department of Transportation. The ideal candidate is a certified arborist with strong field practice, who can work autonomously and contribute to a positive team culture.

Responsibilities include inspecting trees in parks and along streets, reviewing removal permits, training staff, responding to emergencies, and maintaining accurate inspection records to support the city’s

Qualifications

• High school diploma plus 12 college units in forestry, horticulture, arboriculture, botany, or related field
• A related bachelor's degree may substitute for two years of experience
• Must possess ISA Certified Arborist credential

Responsibilities

• Inspect trees in City parks and along streets to assess health and hazards
• Review tree removal permits to ensure compliance with protected-tree rules
• Train staff on inspection practices and safety procedures
• Respond to tree-related emergencies and assess hazards
• Prepare and maintain accurate records and reports related to inspections and permits

Skills

Action & Results Focused

Attention to Detail

Collaboration

Safety Focus

Decisiveness

Policy & Compliance

Communication

Critical Thinking

Team Leadership

Writing

Education

High school diploma + forestry coursework

ISA Certification desirable

Job description

The City of Oakland is an equal opportunity employer that values workforce diversity, inclusion, and equity. Oakland has a long history of activism around issues of justice and equity. Both oppression and this resistance to oppression have shaped the city’s historical roots and the lives of its residents to this day. As public servants in one of the most diverse cities in the nation, we strive to develop employees who understand the harm and impacts of systemic inequity to create lasting, meaningful outcomes for everyone. Oakland strives to establish an environment that embraces the richness of culture, community, and individualism of employees.

Why Join Oakland Public Works or the Department of Transportation?

Are you interested in being part of an urban forestry program in a diverse and dynamic city? The City of Oakland has an excellent opportunity for individuals who enjoy being outdoors, interacting with the public, and working for the benefit and beauty of the community!

The City of Oakland is currently recruiting to fill three (3) Arboricultural Inspector vacancies within the Oakland Public Works Department and one (1) vacancy within the Department of Transportation. The ideal candidate is a certified arborist with industry experience and a strong foundation in arboricultural education or field practice, who is self-motivated, comfortable working autonomously, and committed to contributing to a positive team culture and helping the team grow and succeed.

We are looking for someone who is:

• Knowledgeablein tree industry safety, proper work techniques, and arboricultural practices.
• A strong collaborator who can work closely with other departments, CIP, plan review, and tree preservation staff to coordinate tree-related work and support projects.
• Safety-focused when assessing tree health and structural conditions to identify hazards and minimize risks to the public and property.
• Decisive and able to make quick, sound decisions during emergency situations and respond appropriately to immediate safety concerns.
• Thoughtful and able to carefully consider policy guidance and arboricultural practices when making decisions and developing standards for the Tree Division.

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Inspecting trees in City parks and along streets to assess their health and condition, helping preserve the urban forest, and identifying potential hazards to the public.
• Reviewing tree removal permits for development and non-development projects on private property to ensure proposed work complies with the City’s protected tree requirements.
• Training staff and others on tree inspection practices, safety procedures, and applicable arboricultural standards.
• Responding to tree-related emergencies and assessing hazardous conditions to help protect the public and property.
• Preparing and maintaining accurate records, reports, inspection findings, and other documentation related to tree inspections and permit activities.

A few reasons you might love this job:

• You will have the opportunity to assist the community by caring for Oakland’s trees, helping sustain and grow the urban forest, and supporting the benefits of green infrastructure.
• You will have opportunities to grow professionally by applying arboricultural standards and practices in the field, while building a career in the Tree Division and beyond.
• You will work outdoors throughout a beautiful city while being part of an organization that prioritizes employee safety and long-term career longevity.

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• You will perform physically demanding work in challenging conditions, including emergency response work during storm events
• You will have to pivot work activities based on changing priorities throughout each workday that may be due to short staffing
• You will learn and master a diverse set of skills, including operating several types and models of heavy equipment

Competencies Required:

• Action & Results Focused (Taking Initiative): Initiating tasks and focusing on accomplishment
• Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products
• Building & Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships
• Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims
• Customer Focus: Attending to the needs and expectations of customers
• Decision Making: Choosing optimal courses of action in a timely manner
• Fact Finding: Obtaining facts and data pertaining to an issue or question
• Legal & Regulatory Navigation: Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations
• Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
• Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job
• Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability
• Reading Comprehension: Understanding and using written information
• Safety Focus: Showing vigilance and care in identifying and addressing health risks and safety hazards
• Thinking & Acting Systematically: Formulating objectives and priorities, and implementing plans consistent with the long-term interests of the organization in a global environment
• Writing: Communicating effectively in writing

Education:

High school diploma or equivalent, plus 12 college units in forestry, horticulture, arboriculture, botany, or a closely related field. College-level coursework in supervision is highly desirable.

Experience:

Five (5) years of experience working as an arborist, including one year of experience inspecting trees to determine hazardous conditions or trimming needs. Note: A related bachelor's degree in arboriculture, horticulture, forestry, botany, or a closely related field may substitute for two (2) years of experience. One year of experience as a team leader in the care and maintenance of trees is highly desirable.

License or Certificate / Other Requirements:

• Possession of a valid California Driver's License, Class C, to be maintained throughout employment with the City of Oakland.
• Possession of a valid Certified Arborist certificate from the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) is required and must be maintained throughout tenure of employment.
• Must be willing to work outdoors, subject to inclement weather.
• Must be willing to work irregular days and hours, as needed, for emergency response.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Tree Risk Assessment Qualification from the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)
• Certified Urban Forest Professional from the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)

The Recruitment Process

The City of Oakland works with a Civil Service system. Applicants apply online, and HR staff reviews their experience, education, and training listed on the application against the “minimum qualifications” listed for each position.

Candidates who demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements are then invited to participate in an assessment process (or testing) to measure their knowledge, skills, and abilities in job-related areas.

Candidates who do not demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements will have an opportunity to request a final review. Candidates must request a final review within 5 business days of being notified that they did not meet the minimum qualifications.

In the final review, candidates may clarify information already provided on their application. No additional work history, education, or certifications will be accepted. Any decisions made during this review process will be final.

For this recruitment, all qualified applicants will be invited to the structured interview (sometimes referred to as an Oral Exam) (weighted 100%), which will be evaluated and rated by subject matter experts. The structured interview will be conducted as a one-way video interview, where you will record your responses to a set of questions. You will have 7 days from the time you receive the interview link to complete and submit your video responses. The tentative date of the structured interview is the week of October 5, 2026.

Applicants are required to submit criminal history information upon request after receiving a conditional offer of employment. If the requested information is not furnished in a timely manner, applicants will not qualify for further consideration and will be removed from the eligible list.

Disaster Service Workers

All employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.