Tree Trimmer II

City of St. Louis; St. Louis (MO); On-site; CAD 57,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

City of St. Louis is seeking a Tree Trimmer II to join the Forestry Division. You will perform advanced manual labor, operate aerial lift trucks and tree maintenance gear, and trim or remove trees at varying heights using chainsaws and related equipment.

Responsibilities include supervising a crew in the absence of the Foreman, conducting safety checks, and preparing sites with proper safety measures. CDL Class A is required, with potential incentives and overtime as part of the role.

Qualifications

• Two years of recent full‑time paid experience in operating tools used for planting, pruning, trimming and removing trees.
• Must possess and maintain a Missouri CDL Class A license; CDL permits may be required for application.
• Ability to work variable shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays and overtime; strong safety awareness.

Responsibilities

• Directs a crew on tree trimming and removal when the Foreman is offsite.
• Operates tree maintenance equipment: chippers, chainsaws, hand saws, pruners, loaders, aerial lifts.
• Performs pre-trip inspections and follows safety procedures.
• Prepares work zones with cones and safety measures; cleans up after work.
• Identifies trees for removal/maintenance; climbs trees with spikes and ladders.
• Lowers limbs with ropes; disposes debris by raking, loading, hauling.
• Feeds brush into the chipper and performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Tree trimming

Safety procedures

Equipment operation

Climbing

Communication

Tools

Aerial lift truck

Chainsaw

Hand saw

Pruner

Dump truck

Chipper

Rope

Ladders

Grapple loader

Job description

Tree Trimmer II - (260000IU)

Description

Salary: $40,950 - $61,438

• Salary commensurate with experience.

Position Grade: 205G

Department: Forestry Division

Job Type: Full-Time (Permanent)

Examination Number: EX1740

Location: St. Louis, MO

• City residency is no longer required.

This position is selected for the Hiring Incentive Program. The incentive shall be in the amount of three thousand five hundred dollars ($3500.00). The hiring incentive will be paid (if funds are available) by the Department/Division which appoints the applicant.

The hiring incentive is not available to current City employees.

Incumbents in this position perform advanced manual labor and operate aerial lift trucks and tree maintenance equipment to remove and maintain trees and shrubs. Duties include performing tree trimming/removal work at varying heights with chain saws and related equipment and operating aerial lift trucks and chippers in the disposal of tree debris.

Essential Functions And Responsibilities

• Directs a crew on proper tree trimming and tree removal techniques when the Forestry Foreman is offsite.
• Performs manual labor and operates tree maintenance equipment such as chippers, chainsaws, hand saws, pruners, dump trucks, grapple loaders, aerial lifts, and loaders.
• Performs pre-trip inspections on all vehicles and adheres to all related safety procedures.
• Prepares site (setting up the work zone with safety cones, securing the area) and clean up.
• Identifies trees for removal and maintenance.
• Climbs trees using climbing spikes and ladders.
• Lowers cut limbs with ropes.
• Disposes tree debris by raking, sweeping, loading, and hauling of tree debris.
• Feeds brush into chipper.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Data Utilization: Requires the ability to compile, assemble, copy, record and/or transcribe data and information according to a prescribed scheme or plan.
• Human Interaction: Requires the ability to explain, demonstrate and clarify to others within well-established policies, procedures and standards. Ability to follow specific instructions and respond to simple requests from others.
• Equipment, Machinery, Tools and Materials Use: Requires the ability to operate equipment and machinery requiring monitoring multiple conditions and making multiple, complex and rapid adjustments, such as aerial lift truck, chain saw, hand saws, hydraulic pruner, ladders, loaders, dump truck, chippers and tractors. Ability to repair complex equipment and machinery.
• Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference data and information such as production orders, operating instructions, schedules and safety regulations.
• Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition and subtraction.
• Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of rational systems. Ability to interpret instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic or schedule form. Ability to exercise independent judgment to adopt or modify methods and standards to meet variations in assigned objective.
• Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise the judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving a variety of generally pre-defined duties that may be subject to frequent change.
• Environmental Factors: Tasks may risk exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, temperature and noise extremes, machinery, vibrations, electric currents, falling trees and traffic hazards.
• Physical Requirements: Requires the ability to lift up to one hundred pounds; push and pull objects over one hundred pounds (100) to assist with tree maintenance and removal. Requires the ability to stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb, balance, bend and twist to perform work procedures.
• Sensory Requirements: Requires the ability to recognize and identify similarities or differences between characteristics of colors, shapes and sounds associated with job-related objects, materials and tasks to clearly distinguish objects, detect diseased trees and communicate with co-workers and supervisors.

Other Requirements

• Must be available to work varying shifts including nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime.
• Must be available for 24-hour snow call, emergency windstorm call and overtime.
• Must know proper roping and trimming techniques.
• Must know basic rigging techniques.
• Must know basic tree planting techniques.
• Must possess a strong understanding of the latest ANSI A300 Tree Care Standards and the ANSI Z133 Safety Requirements.

Qualifications

Two years of recent full‑time paid experience in the operation of manual and power tools, ropes and other tools used in planting, pruning, trimming and removing trees and stumps.

License

Must possess at least a valid Commercial Driver’s License Permit at the time of filing application and be able to present it upon request. Incumbents must possess and maintain a valid Missouri Commercial Driver’s License (Class A) while employed by the City of St. Louis. Candidates that do not have a Missouri Commercial Driver’s License (Class A) at the time of hire must obtain said license as a condition of successfully completing their working test period. Please note type of license, number, class, expiration date and State where issued on application. Only qualified applicants who provide proof of a valid CDL Permit or CDL Class A or B will be considered for this position.

Scoring Components and Their Weights

Performance Test: 100%

May Be Subject To

Background Investigation: Pass/Fail

Medical Examination: Pass/Fail

Documentation of Academic Credentials must be Submitted Upon Request

When completing the Employment History and the Educational/Training History sections of the Employment Application, please be as thorough as possible when describing your education, training and experience relating to this position. Applicants will only receive credit for their experience, training and education as shown on the application. Resumes will not be accepted as a substitute to a fully completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Veterans Preference Points

To be eligible for veteran's preference points, the applicant must submit a copy of their DD 214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty with the Employment Application or upon request. The Director of Personnel may, in their discretion, accept alternate documentation.

City Residence Preference Points

City residents who pass an examination for a position in the classified service and do not receive any other preference will receive a five (5) point preference on a scale of 100 points on the exam. An additional one (1) point shall be added to the passing score of City residents who receive any other preference on a scale of 100 points.

City residents must have resided in the City for at least one (1) year at the time of filing their application to be eligible for the preference points.

Accommodations

If assistance with the job application is necessary based on a physical impairment, mental impairment, or otherwise, they should reach out to the Office on the Disabled with contact information.

This office will not disclose any information that an applicant or employee has a disability or has discussed possible accommodations without the applicant's or employee's prior consent.

Job Posting: Aug 5, 2026, 9:30:33 PM