Assistant Tree Superintendent

PASSAIC COUNTY; Paterson (NJ); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Passaic County's Parks & Recreation department is seeking an Assistant Tree Superintendent to assist in planning, coordinating, and supervising the planting, pruning, removal, and maintenance of municipal shade trees in Paterson, NJ.

The role requires a High School Diploma or GED, four years of tree care experience with at least one year in supervision, and valid NJ driver's license plus professional arborist credentials.

Qualifications

• Education: High School Diploma or GED.
• Experience: Four years in tree planting, care and maintenance; one year in supervision.
• License: Valid NJ Driver’s License; Certified Arborist and/or NJ Tree Expert license; NJDEP pesticide license Category 3A.
• New Jersey residency requirement and background check.

Responsibilities

• Assist Tree Superintendent in planning, coordinating, and supervising municipal tree maintenance.
• Inspect trees for insect infestations, diseases, and damage; recommend treatments.
• Issue permits for tree work on municipal streets and supervise crews.
• Prepare annual budget and manage equipment, materials, and supplies.
• Respond to emergencies and coordinate with officials.

Skills

Tree surgery techniques

Supervisory experience

Communication skills

Problem analysis

Planning and organizing

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Human Resources
401 Grand Street, Room 404
Paterson, NJ 07505

[phone]
[phone] Fax

Assistant Tree Superintendent | Parks & Recreation

• Type: Full Time
• Salary/Pay Rate: $65,000 - $85,000 per year
• Posted Date: 11/04/2026

Under direction, assists the Tree Superintendent in planning, coordinating, and supervising the planting, pruning, removal, and maintenance of municipal shade trees. Inspects trees to identify insect infestations, diseases, and damage, and recommends appropriate treatment and corrective measures. Issues permits for tree work on municipal streets and assigns and supervises employees engaged in tree maintenance activities, including planting, pruning, feeding, spraying, and removal. Coordinates with municipal officials and employees to ensure effective tree care and responds to emergencies resulting from severe weather, ensuring damaged or hazardous trees are addressed. Assists in preparing the annual budget and oversees the requisitioning, storage, safeguarding, and use of equipment, materials, and supplies. Performs related administrative duties, including responding to correspondence, preparing reports, maintaining records and files, and utilizing applicable electronic and manual information management systems.

Requires knowledge of tree surgery techniques and the methods, tools, equipment, materials, and supplies used in planting, transplanting, pruning, removing, cabling, guying, spraying, and cultivating trees. Must possess knowledge of employee supervision and work coordination, along with the ability to analyze tree-related problems, develop effective work procedures, determine the need for tree surgery, and perform necessary corrective operations. Must be able to assign and direct employees, provide guidance and assistance, recommend suitable tree species for specific locations, and ensure proper planting and transplanting practices. Must also have the ability to plan and organize a comprehensive municipal shade tree program, communicate effectively with residents and community groups regarding tree care, and maintain required records and reports using applicable information systems.

Schedule: Weekly flex, 40-hour work week. This is a vacant, non-union, competitive position. The selected employee will serve a 120-day working test period to be considered for permanent appointment. ( https://info.csc.nj.gov/jobspec/00803.htm ). The County of Passaic is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

A New Jersey residency is required; county resident is preferred.

Requirements:

Education:High School Diploma or GED

Experience: Four (4) years of experience involving the planting, care, and maintenance of trees, one (1) year experience in a supervisory capacity.

License:Valid NJ Driver’s License; required to possess a Certified Arborist certification and/or NJ Tree Expert license and a NJDEP pesticide license Category 3A.

Newly hired employees must agree to a thorough background check that may include fingerprinting. Any appointments made from posting which involve movement between unit scopes, may result in a forfeiture of rights to any promotional list in a former unit scope.As of September 2010, in accordance with N.J.S.A 52:14-7, the “New Jersey First Act,” all new employees must reside in the State of New Jersey, unless exempted under the law. If you do not live in New Jersey, you have one year after you begin employment to relocate your residence to New Jersey or secure an exemption.