Maintenance Specialist- Landscape

City of Palmdale, California; Palmdale (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Palmdale, California is seeking a Maintenance Specialist to lead urban forestry and landscape operations within its district of public works. You will supervise staff, manage contracts, inspect workmanship, and ensure program compliance with environmental and safety standards.

The position requires extensive municipal forestry experience, GIS familiarity, and strong leadership. It offers full-time hours, benefits, and opportunities to advance urban forestry initiatives in Palmdale.

Qualifications

• 5 years of increasingly responsible municipal forestry experience.
• Knowledge of tree biology, pest management, and pruning standards.
• Familiarity with GIS software and urban forestry inventory systems.
• Ability to operate forestry tools and equipment safely.
• Strong communication, leadership and organizational skills.
• Valid driver's license at time of appointment.

Responsibilities

• Administers contract services for urban forestry operations and supervises personnel.
• Inspect and ensure compliance with contractual terms and specifications.
• Inspect, evaluate, and monitor the health and condition of urban forest trees and prescribe treatment as necessary.
• Perform soil analysis to determine fertility and treatment needed to promote tree health, growth and vitality.
• Inspect and select juvenile trees and plant nursery stock.
• Coordinate tree planting, pruning, removal, and maintenance operations.
• Provide education and instruction in proper forestry and arboriculture practices.
• Enforce ISA and ANSI specifications for pruning, planting, and replacement.
• Assist with management and oversight of the Western Joshua Tree and Native Vegetation Preservation ordinance.
• Perform Work Zone Temporary Traffic Control Operations and ensure MUTCD compliance with contractors and city personnel.
• Assist with development and implementation of urban forestry management plans
• Conduct tree risk assessments and recommend corrective actions
• Maintain tree inventory databases.
• Ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
• Assist with procurement of commodities, contract services, and requisition entry.
• Prepare reports, assist with budget preparation, and management of operating budgets.
• Respond to public inquiries and community concerns regarding trees and landscaping.
• Assist with wildfire hazard mitigation, storm response, and emergency tree hazards.
• Promote sustainability, biodiversity, and climate resilience initiatives.
• Educate the public about tree care and urban environmental stewardship.

Skills

Municipal forestry experience

Tree biology knowledge

Pest management knowledge

Pruning standards knowledge

GIS software

Contract oversight

Leadership

Communication skills

Tools

GIS software

Urban forestry inventory systems

Job description

Description

The full salary range for this position is as follows: $37.96-$48.46. Expected hiring range is as follows: $37.96 to $41.86. The Maintenance Specialist is responsible for the planning, maintenance, preservation, and management of trees and urban green infrastructure in the Landscape Maintenance Districts and General Benefit Areas. This role supports environmental sustainability, public safety, and community beautification through urban forestry tree care programs, inspections, and planting initiatives.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Maintenance Specialist position is the advanced journey lead level classification in the Maintenance Specialist series. The Maintenance Specialist is responsible for leading internal staff, managing, scheduling, and conducting contract compliance oversight for vendors and other city personnel working in urban forestry and landscape operations.

This classification is distinguished from Senior Maintenance Specialist in that the latter classification is at the working supervisory level responsible for organizing, assigning, training, and monitoring work of contractors and subordinate staff.

Essential Duties

• Administers contract services for urban forestry operations, supervises personnel involved with urban forestry and landscape maintenance projects.
• Inspect and ensure compliance with contractual terms and specifications.
• Inspect, evaluate, and monitor the health and condition of urban forest trees and prescribe treatment as necessary.
• Perform and evaluate soil analysis to determine fertility condition and treatment needed to promote tree or plant health, growth and vitality.
• Inspect and select juvenile trees and plant nursery stock.
• Coordinate tree planting, pruning, removal, and maintenance operations.
• Provide education and instruction in proper forestry and arboriculture practices.
• Enforce International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and American National Standard Institute (ANSI) specifications for tree pruning, removal, planting, and replacement.
• Assist with management and oversight of the Western Joshua Tree and Native Vegetation Preservation ordinance.
• Perform Work Zone Temporary Traffic Control Operations and ensure MUTCD compliance with contractors and city personnel.
• Assist with the development and implementation of urban forestry management plans
• Conduct tree risk assessments and recommend corrective actions
• Maintain tree inventory databases.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal environmental regulations.
• Assist with the procurement of commodities, contract services, and requisition entry.
• Prepare reports, assist with budget preparation, and management of operating budgets.
• Respond to public inquiries and community concerns regarding trees and landscaping.
• Assist with wildfire hazard mitigation, storm response, and emergency tree hazards.
• Promote sustainability, biodiversity, and climate resilience initiatives.
• Educate the public about tree care and urban environmental stewardship.

Required Qualifications

• 5 years of increasingly responsible experience in performing municipal forestry work.
• Knowledge of tree biology, pest management, and pruning standards.
• Familiarity with GIS software and urban forestry inventory systems.
• Ability to operate forestry tools and equipment safely.
• Strong communication, leadership and organizational skills.
• Valid driver's license at time of appointment.

Preferred Certifications

• International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist.
• International Society of Arboriculture Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ).
• Commercial Pesticide Applicator License DPR Q.A.L.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

Mobility: frequent use of a keyboard; frequent and intermittent sitting for long periods of time; climbing, bending twisting, and squatting when installing equipment.

Lifting: frequently lifting, carrying and pushing tools, equipment, and supplies weighing 10 to 50 pounds or more;

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.

Working Environment

Incumbents in this class work within indoor and outdoor environments. When assigned to work outdoors, incumbents are exposed to all weather conditions including wet, hot and cold. Incumbents may be exposed to slippery surfaces. Incumbents will require the experience and ability to operate chainsaws, chippers, and aerial lift equipment. Incumbents may use chemicals, which may involve exposure to fumes and liquids. Incumbents are exposed to gas fumes, exhaust, dirt, dust, and other contaminants. Incumbents may be required to wear personal protective equipment while performing work. The nature of the work also requires the incumbent to climb ladders, use power and noise producing tools and equipment, drive motorized vehicles and heavy equipment, and work in heavy vehicle traffic conditions.

Incumbents must be available for on-call and stand-by duty and respond to after-hours emergencies.

The City of Palmdale is noted for its highly skilled workforce, with a large concentration of aerospace firms located at Air Force Plant 42 and nearby Edwards Air Force Base. Its family-oriented and culturally enhancing venues, such as the Palmdale Playhouse, DryTown Water Park and Palmdale Amphitheater, make Palmdale "a place to call home." Palmdale is located approximately one hour north of Los Angeles off the Antelope Valley Freeway (SR-14). It encompasses 106.6 square miles and has a population of approximately 165,450. The City is served by several school districts and has a growing retail and commercial base. For more information, visit www.CityOfPalmdaleCA.gov.

BUSINESS HOURS

Normal operating hours are from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm Monday – Thursday. CLOSED on Friday.

UNION

The Teamsters Local 986 represents certain positions in the City's Public Works Maintenance Division and Parks and Recreation Department.

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYEES

Additional benefits apply to the positions of Deputy Director, Director, Deputy City Manager and Assistant City Manager. These are at-will positions and do not serve a probationary period.

EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION

RESIDENCE within the City is not required.

AN ELIGIBILITY LIST of the most qualified applicants will be compiled based on the results of the selection process. The list will remain in place for a period to be determined by Human Resources.

The benefits listed here apply to full-time positions, not to part-time employees unless described.

A PROBATION PERIOD of one year minimum applies to initial employment with the City.

VACATION, HOLIDAYS AND LEAVE: The City provides 15 paid holidays per year and 80 hours vacation (years one through four) with a maximum accrual of 240 hours. Exempt employees accrue 80 hours of administrative leave per year with a maximum accrual of 240 hours.

SICK LEAVE: Employees accrue 96 hours per year with a maximum accrual of 800 hours. Part-time employees shall accrue one (1) hour of Sick Leave for every 20 hours worked. Total accrued bank sick leave may not exceed 80 hours.

RETIREMENT: The City is a member of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). Full-time employees will be enrolled in either the New Member or Classic plan, as defined by CalPERS. New Members are enrolled in the 2% @ 62 formula and pay the full 7.75% employee contribution. Classic Members are enrolled in the 2% @ 60 formula and pay the full 7% employee contribution.

All other part-time employees are covered under the Public Agency Retirement Services (PARS).

WELLNESS PROGRAM: Employees may be reimbursed up to $500 per fiscal year for qualified wellness expenses.

DIRECT DEPOSIT: Direct Deposit is mandatory for all new employees.

INSURANCE: The City offers group health, dental/vision, long term and short term disability, and a $50,000 life insurance policy for full-time employees. The City contributes towards the employee's health insurance.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION: The City offers a Deferred Compensation Plan which enables full-time employees to contribute on a tax deferred basis. The City matches up to $200 per month.

BILINGUAL STIPEND: Eligible employees may receive bilingual pay.

OVERTIME COMPENSATION: Overtime is accrued at time-and-a-half for eligible employees for time physically worked in excess of the regular 40-hour work week.

PART-TIME EMPLOYEES: Part-time employees are reviewed for merit salary advancement but are not eligible for any other benefits listed.

MILEAGE PAY: Any employee may be reimbursed for work related mileage at a rate consistent with IRS guidelines when assigned to use their private vehicle on City business.

SOCIAL SECURITY: The City does not participate in Social Security and does not deduct Social Security payments from any employee's salary. The City deducts 1.45% of salary for Medicare and makes a 1.45% matching contribution.

Benefits can change at any time.

01

These supplemental questions are part of the selection process and are considered part of your application. These questions give you the opportunity to fully explain your background and qualifications as they pertain to this position. Only the most qualified applicants as determined by the evaluation of this supplemental application will be invited to participate in the selection process. Your answers to the following supplemental questions are required for your application to be considered complete. Please note: if you do not have experience in a given area, type "none." Please do not write "Refer to my resume/application" as these answers will be considered incomplete and you will not be given credit. I have read and understand this statement.

• Yes
• No

02

Do you possess an I.S.A. Certified Arborist? If so, please provide the certification number.

03

Do you possess an I.S.A. Tree Risk Assessment Qualification? If so, please provide the issue date.

04

Do you have 5 years of experience providing professional arboricultural services in support of municipal urban forestry programs? If so, please explain your experience.

05

Do you have 3 years of experience performing tree risk assessments? If so, please explain your experience.