TREE MAINTENANCE WORKER, CALTRANS

Caltrans; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 58,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

CALTRANS in Santa Barbara County seeks a Tree Maintenance Worker to trim, shape, cultivate and plant trees within the state right of way. You will work with a crew of up to four and may have overtime, nights, weekends, and emergency calls. A valid California CDL and Class C license are required, and a pre-employment drug screen will be conducted.

Permanent, full-time position based in the Santa Barbara area, with in-office telework not available. Final filing date is October 1, 2026.

Qualifications

• Valid California CDL required.
• Drug screening is required prior to hire.
• Valid Class C driver’s license required.

Responsibilities

• Trim, shape, cultivate, remove and plant trees within the state right of way.
• Work with a crew of up to four and may be assigned to overtime, nights, weekends or holidays.
• Respond to emergency call-outs and may be loaned to other cost centers.

Skills

CDL

Drug screening

Class C license

Job description

Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

Position Details

Job Code #: JC-532807
Position #(s): 905-650-9381-918
Working Title: TREE MAINTENANCE WORKER
Classification: TREE MAINTENANCE WORKER, CALTRANS
$4,870.00 - $6,101.00
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions: Multiple
Work Location: Santa Barbara County
Telework: In Office
Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

Caltrans Mission: Improving lives and communities through transportation.
Caltrans Vision: A thriving and connected California.
The Caltrans workforce is made up of diverse and unique individuals who contribute to our organizational success.
Department Website: www.dot.ca.gov
Director’s EEO Policy: https://dot.ca.gov/programs/equal-employment-opportunity
Director’s EEO Policy Statement: https://dot.ca.gov/programs/equal-employment-opportunity

Job Description And Duties

Under the direction of a CT Tree Maintenance Supervisor, CT Tree Maintenance Leadworker or other qualified crewmember, the CT Tree Maintenance Worker will trim, shape, cultivate, remove and plant trees, and perform vegetation control within the state right of way. Incumbent will be required to work with a crew of up to three or more employees. May be assigned to a temporary and/or intermittent shift change to accommodate workload. The incumbent may be required to work overtime, including nights, weekends and holidays; and will be expected to respond to emergency call-outs. May be loaned to other cost centers.

PARF# 05-27-0133/JC-532807
Eligibility for hire may be determined by your score on the Tree Maintenance Worker, Caltrans exam. For those who do not have current eligibility (e.g., transfer, permissive reinstatement, or voluntary demotions) and/or who will be new to state civil services employment, you must be on the state examination list to be eligible for these positions. To apply for the exam, please click here and search by typing in the classification title.

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a valid California Drivers License (CDL). You must answer the questions addressing your CDL on your application. Ensure you provide your CDL number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions.
• The position(s) require(s) a Drug Screening be passed prior to being hired.
• The position(s) require(s) a valid Class C driver’s license.
• Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are basing your eligibility on education, you must include your unofficial transcript(s)/diploma for verification. Unofficial, original, or official sealed transcripts will be accepted and may be required upon appointment. Applicants with foreign transcripts/degrees must provide a transcript/degree U.S. equivalency report evaluation that indicates the number of units and degree to which the foreign coursework is equivalent. Please visit either of the following two websites for a list of evaluation agencies: https://www.naces.org/members or https://aice-eval.org . Please redact birthdates and social security numbers.

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 10/1/2026

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s).

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

Required Application Package Documents

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.