TREE CLIMBER - NATURAL RESOURCES (2 POSITIONS)

Arlington; Massachusetts; On-site; USD 36,093 - 46,287; Full time

Job summary

Arlington is seeking a Tree Climber to maintain and prune the town’s trees. This role involves operating heavy equipment, performing emergency maintenance, and ensuring the health of public green areas. Must have a valid Massachusetts Class B CDL and experience in groundskeeping.

Applicants should be prepared to work outdoors in various weather conditions and frequently interact with the public and town departments.

Qualifications

• One year of experience as a groundsman.
• Experience operating heavy motor equipment.
• Valid Massachusetts Class B CDL.

Responsibilities

• Ongoing maintenance and pruning of street trees.
• Plant trees and shrubs.
• Assist with town-wide snow removal.

Skills

Knowledge of tools and techniques for tree maintenance

Ability to operate motor equipment

Problem-solving skills

Ability to interact with the public

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Chainsaws

Power tools

Heavy motor equipment

Job description

TREE CLIMBER - NATURAL RESOURCES (2 POSITIONS)

Will train the right candidate – must have a CDL permit at minimum.

Rate: $26.20 – $33.60 per hour. July 1, 2026 hourly rate is $26.99 – $34.61 per hour.

40 hours per week. Double‑time for snow and ice operations.

Definition

Skilled manual work and operation of various equipment and vehicles used to maintain the town’s trees and green areas; all other related work, as required.

Supervision

Works under the direct supervision of the Foreman, following departmental rules, regulations and policies, requiring the ability to plan and perform operations to complete assigned tasks according to a prescribed time schedule, but referring unusual problems to supervisors.

Work Environment

Work is performed outdoors with frequent exposure to adverse weather conditions, heights, power lines, and periodic exposure to accidental injury, which could result in occupational disability. The employee is required to respond to weather‑related emergencies. The employee operates a truck and a variety of equipment—hand and power tools, chainsaws, chippers, ropes, backhoe, front‑end loader, hydraulic crane, aerial bucket truck, and stump grinders. The employee has regular contact with other town departments, outside agencies and the general public. Errors could result in personal injury, injury to others, delay or loss of service, damage to buildings and property or equipment, or legal repercussions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Ongoing maintenance and pruning of all street trees and removal of hazardous dead trees, limbs, roots and stumps; perform emergency maintenance to trees and limbs damaged during storms to enable access of emergency vehicles.
• Plant trees and shrubs.
• Fertilize, mulch and weed plants, trees and shrubbery on town property.
• Spray pesticides and herbicides; water planting beds and trees to reduce tree and shrub loss.
• Assist other departments (cemetery and water) with root, limb or tree removal.
• Assist with town‑wide snow removal and sanding operations during winter months.
• Load and unload trucks; pick up and haul.
• Maintain readiness of the vehicles and equipment assigned; ensure all usual and customary tools and safety equipment are readily available and secured.
• Regularly assess the condition of the assigned vehicle; keep vehicle clean inside and out, check safety equipment, report defects, test equipment after repair, inspect equipment and work practices to ensure compliance with health and safety codes and standards; keep work area and equipment clean, neat, orderly, safe, and secure.
• Perform similar or related work as required or as situation dictates.

Recommended Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

High school diploma; one year of experience as a groundsman; experience operating heavy motor equipment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Additional Requirements

• Valid Massachusetts Class B CDL
• Pesticide/Herbicide spray license
• Hoisting license

Knowledge, Ability and Skill

• Thorough knowledge of tools, techniques, equipment, safety practices and procedures used to maintain and remove trees, limbs, stumps and roots; knowledge of landscaping and rigging; knowledge of the tools, techniques, equipment and procedures used in motor equipment repair and maintenance.
• Ability to operate and maintain motor equipment, power tools and hand tools.
• Ability to interact effectively with fellow employees, managers, other agencies, regulators, vendors and the public.
• Ability to work in difficult high places.
• Ability to read, write and speak English.
• Problem‑solving skills.
• Skill in operation of required equipment and tools.

Physical Requirements

• Strenuous physical effort generally required to perform duties.
• Frequent use of hands to operate equipment, walk, stand, speak, hear, reach with hands and arms, balance, crouch, crawl, stoop, and climb.
• Stamina required to work in adverse weather and dangerous situations.
• Work in confined spaces and lift or move items weighing more than 100 pounds.
• Physical ability to use power and hand tools, drive motor vehicles, operate various equipment.
• Vision to read routine documents.