Maintenance Worker (Arbor)

City of Valdosta; Valdosta (GA); On-site; USD 1,929,000 - 2,755,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Valdosta Arbor Division is seeking a maintenance worker to support planting, pruning, removal, and care of trees on City property and rights-of-way. You will operate arboriculture equipment and hand tools, maintain work areas, and respond to storm-related needs to keep urban forests safe and healthy.

This role requires basic knowledge of arboriculture, ability to read basic instructions, and willingness to work in varied hours, including emergencies.

Qualifications

• Read, write and perform basic math at a high school level.
• Experience in arboriculture or public works is preferred but not required.
• Valid Georgia driver's license; CDL when required for equipment.
• Ability to obtain safety and arboriculture training timely.
• Work safely at heights and around heavy equipment.
• Willingness to work varied hours, including emergencies.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine pruning and crown maintenance to standards.
• Assist with tree removals, cutting, rigging, and cleanup.
• Operate arboriculture equipment and maintain tools.
• Plant, stake, mulch, water, and care for trees and landscape plants.
• Inspect trees and report hazards or disease to supervisor.
• Respond to storm debris and emergency tree-related needs.
• Maintain records and follow safety procedures in work zones.

Skills

Tree biology

Pruning practices

Public safety awareness

Communication

Teamwork

Problem-solving

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Chainsaws

Pole saws

Chippers

Brush cutters

Stump grinders

City vehicles

Job description

Description

This position performs skilled and semi-skilled maintenance work for the City of Valdosta Arbor Division. The employee assists with the planting, pruning, maintenance, removal, and care of trees and vegetation on City property, rights-of-way, medians, parks, drainage areas, and other City-maintained locations. Work includes operating arboriculture equipment and hand tools, maintaining work areas and equipment, responding to storm and emergency tree-related needs, and supporting safe, attractive, and healthy urban forest conditions.

• Performs routine tree pruning and structural maintenance, including crown cleaning, clearance pruning, removal of dead or hazardous limbs, and other work within the employee's level of training.
• Assists with tree removals, including cutting, rigging, chipping, hauling, and cleanup of trees and limbs from City property and rights-of-way.
• Operates and assists with chippers, chainsaws, pole saws, brush cutters, stump grinders, loaders, trucks, trailers, and other arboriculture equipment as authorized and trained.
• Plants, stakes, mulches, waters, and maintains trees and other landscape plantings on City property.
• Performs routine inspections of City trees and reports hazardous conditions, tree defects, disease or insect concerns, storm damage, and maintenance needs to the supervisor.
• Removes fallen trees, limbs, brush, and storm debris from streets, sidewalks, drainage areas, parks, easements, and other City-maintained property.
• Maintains required clearance from streets, sidewalks, signs, streetlights, utilities, buildings, drainage structures, and other public infrastructure while performing tree work.
• Assists with right-of-way, median, park, drainage, and other vegetation maintenance, including removal of vines, invasive vegetation, and obstructive growth.
• Provides traffic and pedestrian control around work zones and follows approved work-zone safety procedures.
• Loads, secures, transports, unloads, and disposes of wood, brush, mulch, and other debris in accordance with City procedures.
• Performs routine inspection, cleaning, lubrication, and minor maintenance of assigned vehicles, tools, and equipment and reports mechanical problems to the supervisor.
• Uses proper personal protective equipment and follows City safety procedures, arboricultural safety practices, traffic-control requirements, and equipment operating procedures.
• Assists other Engineering and City crews when needed, including stormwater-related maintenance and emergency response activities.
• Maintains accurate work records and communicates completed work, equipment issues, hazards, and service needs to the supervisor.
• Responds to emergency and storm-related tree hazards as assigned, including after-hours or weekend response when required by City operations.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Basic knowledge of tree biology, pruning practices, tree planting, tree care, and common urban tree maintenance principles.
• Basic knowledge of arboriculture tools, equipment, personal protective equipment, and safe work practices.
• Knowledge of traffic and pedestrian safety procedures for work performed in or near public rights-of-way.
• Knowledge of City policies and procedures applicable to public property, work zones, equipment, and employee safety.
• Basic knowledge of common tree pests, diseases, defects, and hazardous tree conditions.
• Skill in the safe operation of chainsaws, pole saws, chippers, brush cutters, hand tools, and other assigned equipment.
• Skill in operating assigned City vehicles, trucks, trailers, and equipment.
• Ability to recognize common tree defects and hazardous conditions and promptly report them.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions and work effectively as part of a crew.
• Ability to communicate professionally with coworkers, supervisors, residents, contractors, and the general public.
• Basic decision-making and problem-solving skills.

Minimum Qualifications

• The ability to read, write, and perform basic mathematical calculations at a level commonly associated with completion of high school or equivalent.
• Previous experience in arboriculture, tree maintenance, landscaping, public works, construction, or related outdoor maintenance is preferred but not required.
• Possession of, or ability to readily obtain, a valid driver's license issued by the State of Georgia for the type of vehicle operated.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a commercial driver's license (CDL) when required for assigned vehicles or equipment.
• Ability to obtain required City safety, equipment-operation, traffic-control, and arboriculture training within established timeframes.
• Ability to work safely at heights and around heavy equipment when properly trained and authorized.
• Ability to work varied schedules, including emergency, storm, early-morning, or after-hours response when required by City operations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Six months or more of experience in tree care, arboriculture, landscaping, parks maintenance, public works, or a related field.
• Experience operating chainsaws, chippers, aerial equipment, stump grinders, loaders, or similar arboriculture equipment.
• Experience working in public rights-of-way or around traffic and pedestrians.
• Basic knowledge of common trees and shrubs found in South Georgia.