Senior Tree Trimmer

County of Monterey, CA; Salinas (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The County of Monterey is seeking a Senior Tree Trimmer to serve as the lead worker in climbing, trimming and removing trees. You will coordinate tree work with Road District Superintendents, set up job sites and ensure safety precautions are followed.

The successful candidate will have knowledge of tree work methods, knot tying, and CAL-OSHA safety standards, with the ability to plan, train and supervise others. Experience in Monterey County is preferred.

Qualifications

• Experience in climbing, trimming and removing trees with safety practices.
• Knowledge of CAL-OSHA safety standards related to tree work.
• Familiarity with common tree knots used in work.
• Ability to estimate tree health and plan trimming accordingly.

Responsibilities

• Climbs, trims, tops and falls trees.
• Operates chainsaws, aerial bucket, hydraulic pruners; uses climbing gear.
• Coordinates tree work with Road District Supervisors.
• Rigs ropes and places knots for safe limb removal.
• Determines limbs to remove for balanced tree shape.

Skills

Tree trimming

Climbing

Safety procedures

Knot tying

Chainsaws

Equipment operation

Public relations

Tools

Chainsaws

Aerial bucket

Pruners

Chipper

Job description

Final Filing Date: Monday, September 7, 2026

Exam#: 26/74G22/08MZ

The County of Monterey is committed to honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans and eligible military spouses and awards veterans’ preference points for this recruitment. To learn more about the eligibility requirements and the process, be sure to read the Hiring Preference for Veterans and Eligible Military Spouses section located towards the end of this job flier.

The Public Works, Facilities & Parks Department (PWFP) brings together a range of functions to ensure safe building construction, plan for the future needs of the County, manage infrastructure and county facilities, and protect natural resources. The Department is responsible for public works, county roads and bridges, county parks, and county facilities.

The Public Works, Facilities & Parks Department seeks to fill a current Senior Tree Trimmer vacancy. Under general supervision, the incumbent acts as the lead worker and performs skilled work of widely varying difficulty in the climbing, trimming, and removal of trees, and to do other work as required.

The Eligible List established by this recruitment process may be used County-wide to fill current and future vacancies on a regular full-time, part-time, or temporary basis.

• Climbs, trims, tops and falls trees.
• Operates large and small chainsaws, aerial bucket, hydraulic pruners; maneuvers climbing gear.
• Coordinates tree work to be done throughout the County with Road District Superintendents.
• Rigs ropes in trees and determines placement of ropes for easiest and safest removal of limbs; ties special knots used for climbing and removal of limbs.
• Determines limbs to be removed or trimming to be done in order to have a well trimmed and balanced tree.
• Sets up job sites and assures proper safety precautions are taken; sets up barricades; flags traffic.

To view the complete classification description, please visit the County of Monterey website: Senior Tree Trimmer

The Successful Candidate

Will have a proven track record demonstrating the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

Thorough knowledge of:

• Methods, procedures, tools and equipment used in climbing, trimming and removing trees.
• Safety methods used when trimming around power lines, structures and populated areas and CAL-OSHA safety standards as they relate to this position.
• Rope knots commonly used in tree work such as Bowline, Running Bowline, Timber Hitch, Clove Hitch with Half Hitch, Repelling Knot (Monkey Fist).
• Characteristics of trees common to the area in order to estimate the health of trees.

Some knowledge of:

• Basic math sufficient to keep timecards and service records and to take measurements.

Skill and Ability to:

• Plan, assign, train, direct and evaluate the work of others.
• Skillfully and safely climb, trim and fell trees.
• Safely operate tools and equipment used in tree work such as chainsaws, pruners, aerial bucket, chipper, etc.
• Perform heavy manual labor.
• Read maps.
• Read and write English at a level sufficient to follow oral and written instructions and to complete basic time and equipment records.
• Develop and maintain cooperative work relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Maintain good public relations.

Any combination of training, education and/or experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities and required conditions of employment listed above is qualifying. An example of a way these requirements might be acquired is:

Experience: At least three years of experience performing duties equivalent to that of a Tree Trimmer in Monterey County.

REQUIRED CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The required conditions of employment include, but are not limited to the following:

• Possess a valid California Class A driver license at the time of appointment and possess and maintain a satisfactory driving record.
• Be available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and during times of disaster and/or emergency. Incumbents are required to report for duty within 30 minutes of notification of call to emergency duty.

BENEFITS:

The County of Monterey offers an excellent benefits package. Please visit our website to view the J Unit Benefit Summary Sheet. This information is not legally binding, nor does it serve as a contract. The benefits listed in the Monterey County Personnel Policies and Practices Resolution or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) prevail over this listing.

NOTES:

• As a condition of employment, prospective employees may be required to submit to a background review which may include a review of information concerning present and/or prior employment, driving record, and record of any criminal convictions.
• Employment is contingent upon acceptable documentation verifying identity and authorization for employment in the U.S.; a list of acceptable documents is available on the USCIS Form I-9.
• If you are hired into this classification in a temporary position, your rate of pay will be hourly, and you will not be eligible for the benefits listed in the summary.

The selection process is tentative, and applicants will be notified if changes are made. To assess applicants' possession of required qualifications, the examination process may include an oral examination, pre‑examination exercises, performance examination, and/or written examination. The competitive examination process includes submittal of required application materials. A complete application package will include:

• A completed County of Monterey Employment Application
• Responses to all of the Supplemental Questions

Resumes, cover letters, letters of interest, and other correspondence will not be accepted as a substitute for required application materials. All required application materials will be competitively evaluated. Those applicants that are determined to be the most appropriately qualified will invite to participate further in the selection process.

Monterey County is a drug‑free workplace and an equal opportunity employer. The County seeks candidates who can make contributions in an environment of cultural and ethnic diversity. Monterey County is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities.