Tree Pruner II (Eligible for up to $1,000 in bonuses)

City of Sacramento; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a skilled Tree Pruner II to join their team. This role involves climbing trees, operating specialized equipment, and performing essential maintenance tasks to ensure the health and safety of urban trees. Ideal candidates will have a solid background in tree care, safety practices, and equipment operation, contributing to the beautification and sustainability of the community. If you are passionate about the environment and enjoy working outdoors, this opportunity is perfect for you. Join a dedicated team making a difference in the urban landscape!

Benefits

One-time recruitment bonus up to $1,000

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Qualifications

• 3 years of experience in tree pruning or removal is typical.
• Knowledge of climbing techniques and tree care is essential.

Responsibilities

• Prune and remove trees along City streets.
• Operate various tree maintenance equipment safely.

Skills

Climbing techniques

Tree pruning techniques

Safety precautions

Equipment operation

Basic maintenance skills

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Chainsaws

Hand saws

Power pruners

Chippers

Climbing saddles

Job description

THIS POSTING WILL BE OPEN UNTIL FILLED

Application cut-off dates are: 3/31/25, 6/30/25, 9/30/25 and 12/31/25

New hires in the Tree Pruner II classification may be eligible for one-time recruitment and retention bonuses totaling up to $1,000 during the first year of employment.

To prune and remove trees along City streets and to perform other related maintenance duties.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the third and full journey-level class in the Tree Pruner series. Incumbents work under direction and are expected to perform skilled tree pruning work. Work in this class is distinguished from that of Tree Pruner I by the greater complexity of the work and by the greater independence with which an incumbent is expected to operate. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are filled by advancement from the lower level class of Tree Pruner I. Appointment to the class of Tree Pruner II requires that the employee be performing substantially the full range of duties for the class and meet the qualification standards for the class.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Lead direction is provided by the Senior Tree Pruner class. No supervisory responsibilities are included in the duties.

TYPICAL DUTIES

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all the listed duties and/or may be required to perform related duties as needed:

• Climb trees using ropes, cables, climbing saddles, and spurs and operate aerial tower truck to remove undesired branches, limbs, and trees; lower removed portions to the ground with bull ropes.
• Operate chain and hand saws, power or pole pruners, axes, and other hand tools for felling trees or cutting felled trees; operate chipper and brush truck.
• Remove overhanging branches and split or broken limbs after a storm.
• Prune trees for clearance of overhead utility facilities excluding high voltage line clearance.
• Sharpen and maintain tools, ropes, and other safety equipment.
• Participate in planting, transplanting and seeding of trees.
• Operate boom trucks, loaders, stump chippers, brush chippers, tractors, power saws, trucks, sprayers, and other equipment and tools.
• Clean, sharpen, and lubricate tools and equipment.
• Cut away dead and excess branches from trees, or clear branches around power lines, using climbing equipment or buckets of extended truck booms, and/or chainsaws, hooks, handsaws, shears, and clippers.
• Trim, top, and reshape trees to achieve attractive shapes or to remove low hanging branches.
• Prune, cut down, fertilize, and spray trees as directed by tree surgeons.
• Hoist tools and equipment to tree trimmers, and lower branches with ropes or block and tackle.
• Operate shredding and chipping equipment, and feed limbs and brush into the machines.
• Load debris and refuse onto trucks and haul it away for disposal.
• Collect debris and refuse from tree trimming and removal operations into piles, using shovels, rakes or other tools.
• Clear sites, streets, and grounds of woody and herbaceous materials, such as tree stumps and fallen trees and limbs.
• Remove broken limbs from wires, using hood extension poles.
• Trim jagged stumps, using saws or pruning shears.
• Operate a vehicle mounted work planning computer.

KNOWLEDGE OF

• Climbing techniques and proper use and care of tree pruning equipment.
• Common hazards incurred in climbing, pruning, and felling trees and safety precautions to be observed.
• Safety rules and practices used in operating and maintaining tree pruning equipment and trucks.
• Common knots and rope ties used in tree pruning work.
• Planting, transplanting, and seeding methods.
• Methods used to protect trees from fungi and insects.
• Common names and growth characteristics of trees grown in the City of Sacramento.
• Common insect and disease problems which affect trees in the City of Sacramento.
• Tree pruning techniques and practices used by the City Tree Section.

ABILITY TO

• Climb trees and work at heights, sometimes in precarious positions and under adverse weather conditions.
• Learn to use tree pruning and maintenance equipment.
• Follow oral and written instructions.
• Operate tree pruning equipment in a safe and efficient manner.
• Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Maintain periodic updated CPR and first aid training.
• Obtain a California Class B Driver License by the end of probationary period.
• Climb and prune trees using ropes, cables, climbing saddles, and spurs with greater independence and less lead supervision than the Tree Pruner Trainee.
• Operate aerial tower truck.
• Operate a computer.
• Operate chain and hand saws, power or pole pruners, axes, and other hand tools used in tree pruning and maintenance work.
• Perform journey-level work without direct supervision in pruning and removing City trees.

EXPERIENCE

Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: Three years of qualifying experience pruning or removing large trees.

PROOF OF EDUCATION

Should education be used to qualify for this position, then proof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted with your application and will be required at the time of appointment. Unofficial documents and/or copies are acceptable.

An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credentials evaluation service. Evaluation of education records will be due at time of appointment.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD

Employees must complete twelve (12) months of probation at a satisfactory performance level prior to gaining permanent status.

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Driver License:
Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License is required at the time of appointment. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to physical disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Possession of a Class B Driver License is required within 12 months of appointment. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to physical disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

ASSESSMENT

If considered for appointment, candidates must pass a pre-employment drug test.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein are typically required of an incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of their job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

WORKING CONDITIONS

May be required to be on-call and to work various shifts or emergencies during evenings, weekends, and holidays to resolve emergency problems.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Incumbents work in the field and are exposed to uneven terrain, extreme noise levels (e.g. chainsaws, chippers, and heavy equipment), cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, electrical utilities and road hazards, hazardous substances, dust, and fumes; must wear protective equipment; exposure to saw dust, dirt dust, and diesel and gasoline exhaust, gasoline, lubricants, and animal feces; work around moving machinery, equipment, high traffic areas, and heavy falling objects; exposure to insects, bees, and wasps; and, work at elevation.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Must possess depth perception, far, near, and peripheral vision; eye-hand coordination; multi-limb and body coordination; arm-hand steadiness; quick reaction time; trunk strength; wrist-finger speed; muscle endurance and resistance to muscle fatigue; ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or vehicle to exact positions, quickly move hand and arm to grasp, perform repetitive hand motions, grasping, finger dexterity; exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull or carry objects; quickly and repeatedly bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs; quickly move arms and legs; keep or gain body balance or stay upright when in an unstable position; hear, talk, stand, sit, walk, climb at elevation, bend, squat, kneel, and reach. Must be able to lift and carry 10-90 pounds occasionally. Push and pull up to 50 pounds frequently and 50-100 pounds occasionally.

THE SELECTION PROCEDURE

Please note, the City of Sacramento's preferred method of communication with applicants is via e-mail. As such, please ensure you verify the e-mail address on your application, and check your e-mail frequently, including your spam and junk folders. All e-mail notifications can also be accessed through the governmentjobs.com applicant inbox.

1. Application: (Pass/Fail) – All applicants must complete and submit online a City of Sacramento employment application to the Employment Office by the next posted cut-off date:

2. Employment applications must be submitted online; paper applications will not be accepted.

3. Employment applications will be considered incomplete and will be disqualified:

Proof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted online with your application. Proof of education will be required at time of appointment. Position/job titles will not be considered in determining eligibility for meeting the minimum qualifications for this position.

QUESTIONS

For questions concerning this job announcement and the application process:

• Please visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/Home/ApplicationGuide for a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to the application process.

• For technical support between 6 AM - 5 PM PT, contact Live Applicant Support at [phone].

• Visit the City of Sacramento Human Resources Department website at https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/HR/employment.

• Send an email to [e-mail].

• Call the Human Resources Department at [phone].