Tree Trimmer II - Park District 5 - Forestry

City of Omaha; Omaha (NE); On-site; USD 37,222 - 49,056; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid leave: 12 days vacation, 18 days sick, 14 holidays

Employee group health insurance

Defined benefit pension plan

Job summary

The City of Omaha is seeking a skilled crew leader to coordinate and manage tree maintenance activities. This full-time position requires climbing trees, training crew members, and operating forestry equipment.

Applicants should have significant experience in tree care and be certified in various relevant qualifications. Competitive hourly pay ranges from $27.02 to $35.61, alongside a robust benefits package.

Qualifications

• Must possess a valid Class B commercial driver's license.
• Must have a current CPR certificate.
• Must be certified by the Nebraska Arborist Association.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and lead a forestry crew.
• Plan and provide work direction for tree maintenance activities.
• Inspect and maintain forestry equipment.

Skills

Knowledge of standard methods for pruning and maintenance of trees

Knowledge of chemicals used in tree pest management

Skill in using standard arboriculture tools

Ability to interpret Omaha Municipal Code Chapter 37

Ability to safely climb trees and apply chemicals

Education

Three years of climbing, pruning, and maintenance of trees

One year of supervisory experience preferred

Tools

Forestry equipment

Automotive equipment

Job description

Posting Type

Open Competitive

Work Type

Full Time

Nature of Work

This is a skilled crew leader position responsible for coordinating manpower and equipment and training crew members in the safe and efficient use of equipment and in professional arboriculture. Work involves climbing trees and working at heights. Routine assignments are performed with considerable independence and in accordance with established policies and methods. Work is reviewed by a superior through periodic instructions.

Education and Experience

• Three (3) years of experience in the climbing, pruning, and maintenance of trees.
• One (1) year of supervisory experience is preferred.

Special Qualifications

• Must possess a valid Class B commercial driver's license with N endorsement and air brake certification by the end of the probationary period.
• Must possess a 2nd grade hoisting and portable engineer's certificate by the end of the probationary period.
• Must possess a current Cardio-pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certificate Certified Federal by the end of the probationary period.
• Must possess a State of Nebraska Pesticide Applicator's Certificate by the end of the probationary period.
• Must possess a First-Class Arborist's license, issued by the City of Omaha, by the end of the probationary period.
• Must be an arborist certified by the Nebraska Arborist Association by the end of the probationary period.

Pay Range

$27.02 with step increases to $35.61 Hourly

Benefits

Forty-hour work week. Paid leave per year: twelve days vacation; eighteen days sick; and fourteen holidays. Employee's group health insurance, including major medical, vision, and dental, for individual or family. Defined benefit pension plan, plus Social Security, and more. See hr.cityofomaha.org for detailed information.

Who Can Apply

Any person who meets the qualifications and other requirements described in this posting.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of the standard methods, materials, tools, and practices used in the pruning and maintenance of trees.
• Knowledge of the chemicals used in tree pest management.
• Skill in the use of standard tools and equipment of arboriculture.
• Ability to interpret Chapter 37, Trees and Vegetation, of the Omaha Municipal Code.
• Ability to identify types of trees and shrubs and the nature of the diseases they may incur.
• Ability to safety climb trees and apply chemicals.
• Ability to operate and service forestry equipment.
• Ability to plan and coordinate the work of subordinates.
• Ability to understand written or verbal instructions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees and members of the general public.
• Ability to adhere to safety policies, procedures and guidelines.
• Ability to climb, reach, balance, stoop, squat, stand, walk, push, pull and otherwise perform the movements involved in exercising the essential functions of this position for periods of up to eight or more hours.
• Ability to move objects weighing up to one hundred (100) pounds occasionally; weighing up to fifty (50) pounds frequently; and weighing up to twenty (20) pounds continuously.

Essential Functions

• Participates in the operation and maintenance of forestry equipment assigned to a crew and inspects all forestry equipment and vehicles.
• Plans, trains, provides work direction, and participates in the work of a forestry crew engaged in planting, pruning, watering, fertilizing, mulching, and applying chemicals to city trees.
• Operates all types of automotive and forestry equipment.
• Identifies and removes or directs the removal of dead trees and hazardous limbs from city property.
• Completes daily activity reports detailing tree operations.
• Consults with utility companies regarding utility lines and tree and limb removal operations.
• Maintains regular job attendance in accordance with a schedule established for the position by the supervisor.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or as the situation dictates within the scope of this classification.

Conditions of Employment

Candidates must provide proof of U.S. citizenship, permanent residence, or authorization to work. The City of Omaha reserves the right to conduct pre‑employment inquiries or evaluations on candidates for employment as it determines are appropriate for the particular position. Pre‑employment inquiries may include, without limitation: verification of employment history and educational attainment; review of driving, credit, and criminal convictions; hearing, drug, functional capacity, psychological, vision, and medical tests; and/or any other relevant background information deemed appropriate to determine the suitability of the applicant for the position. Failure to provide the information requested in the application and hiring process in the truthful, timely, accurate, and complete manner may result in disqualification, revocation of a conditional offer of employment, or termination.

Reasonable Accommodation

The City of Omaha does not discriminate on the basis of disability. If you need a disability‑related accommodation during the job application or selection process, advise the Human Resources Department at least 48 hours prior to the need by emailing [e-mail].

Veteran Points and EEO Statement

To claim five (5) points for veteran's preference, submit proof of service (e.g., a DD‑214) that includes the date of induction, date of honorable separation, and Social Security number. (You must have completed more than 180 consecutive days of active duty.) To receive an additional five (5) points credit for disability, submit proof of eligibility from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs dated within the last 12 months. This information must be submitted to the Human Resources Department by April 2, 2026.