Tree Worker/Climber (13938, Grade HL6)

Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission; Upper Marlboro (MD); On-site; USD 43,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Benefits

Paid Time Off

Retirement Plan

Job summary

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission is seeking a Tree Worker/Climber to prune and remove trees within Prince George’s County parks. You will work under the Senior Urban Forester on a team responsible for thousands of removals and pruning tasks annually.

A Class B CDL license may be required; expect heights of 100+ ft in some cases and a 6:30 a.m. start. Excellent benefits and a strong safety culture are offered.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• One year of tree maintenance experience including six months of tree climbing.
• Valid driver’s license per state and Commission rules; CDL may be required for some areas.

Responsibilities

• Prune and remove deadwood; assist in smaller tree removals.
• Report to Senior Urban Forester.
• Work hours 6:30 a.m.–3:15 p.m.; operate with safe climbing knots and rigging experience.

Skills

Teamwork

Not afraid of heights

Education

High school diploma or GED

Equivalent combination of education and experience

Job description

Examples of Important Duties

The Maryland National Capital Park & Planning Commission is an award winning organization with over 5,000 employees that administers over 52,000 acres of stream valley parks, large regional parks, neighborhood parks and park-school recreation areas throughout Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. We administer and maintain the park systems, and in Prince George’s County, we are also responsible for developing the County’s public recreation programs.

Our Department of Parks & Recreation has the overall responsibility for planning, supervising and coordinating all park/recreation facilities and services throughout Prince George’s County. The Facility Services Division (FSD) is the largest Division within this Department and is composed of six major work areas: Fleet Management, Buildings & Structures (Trade Shops), Horticulture & Forestry, Major Maintenance & Inspection, Critical Projects (Aquatics, Heavy Equipment and Sustainability) and the Administration section. The mission of FSD is to provide professional, high quality maintenance and maintenance support services for all parks and recreation facilities and to support the diverse work programs of the Parks & Recreation Department in Prince George’s County and its customers.

Tree climbing falls under the Horticulture & Forestry section within the Facility Services Division of the Prince George’s County Department of Parks & Recreation. Forestry is responsible for the maintenance, pruning, and safe removal of all the trees (dead, declining, and hazardous) located within 25,000 acres of land acquired by the Commission over the past 70 years, throughout Prince George’s County parks system.

You would report directly to the Senior Urban Forester and be responsible for pruning and tree removal projects that range from a couple of hours to one week. In one year, the section may be involved in 1,000 tree removals ranging from 6 to 60 inches in diameter and the pruning of 2,000 to 3,000 trees in a year’s timeframe. As a Tree Climber, your primary responsibilities will be to prune and remove deadwood, as well as participate in smaller tree removals, based upon experience.

These positions require that you have a working knowledge of proper notching and wood lowering procedures, as well as the ability to tie effective climbing knots. Rigging and bucket truck experience is preferred. You must not be afraid of heights (100+ ft. in some cases) and you should also be a team player who gets along with other employees.

Class B CDL License Required – Obtained within 12 months of employment

(Work Hours are 6:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.)

Salary Range ($43,216-$59,877-$76,540)

We offer an excellent benefits package, including health, dental and vision, as well as 43 paid vacation/sick/holiday/personal days the first year; opportunities for advancement and steady employment. You may be required to work during storm and emergency situations.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or Certificate of General Educational Development (GED).
• One (1) year of tree maintenance experience including six months of tree climbing experience.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total 1 year.
• Valid driver's license in accordance with both State and Commission rules and regulations. Driver’s license must be unencumbered by restrictions, revocations, suspensions, or points that could limit the employee’s ability to drive Commission vehicles or perform driving duties required by the position of assignment.
• Depending on area of assignment, a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with appropriate endorsements, and must be in accordance with both State and Commission rules and regulations.
• Pass Commission medical examination.

Supplemental Information

Classification Specification Tree Worker/Climber

May be subject to medical, drug and alcohol testing.

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate a workplace culture of diversity, equity and inclusion without discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other non-merit factor. We will do what we can to provide reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us on 301-495-4525 to request accommodation.

Applicants With Disabilities Under The Americans With Disabilities Act.

If you require accommodation or special arrangements due to a qualifying disability, please notify the Recruitment & Selections Services Unit at the time of applications at or 301-454-1411 (Maryland Relay 7-1-1)

M-NCPPC will make all efforts to reasonably accommodate you.

THE MARYLAND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING COMMISSION

2026 Benefit Summary For Merit System Employees

The following benefit summary is provided for informational purposes only and is not, nor should be construed as an employment agreement with the M-NCPPC, implied or actual. It is not all-inclusive and is subject to change. Benefits listed are extended to all Merit System employees of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). All plans are optional except the Defined Benefit and Long-Term Disability plans.

Eligibility

You have 45 days from your hire date to elect your benefits. Your coverage begins on the first of the month following receipt of your enrollment forms and required documentation.

Retirement Programs

• Defined Benefit Plan (Mandatory Participation) – Plan E excludes FOP members.

Plan Employee Contribution Plan C 9.5%* of base salary (FOP members only) Plan E 4% of base salary up to maximum Social Security Wage Base (SSWB) and 8% in excess of SSWB.

• 457 (b) Plan (Optional) [Pre-tax and Roth]
• Traditional and Roth IRAs (Optional)
• Retiree Healthcare – Eligibility requires, at least 10 years of eligible service and continuous enrollment in M-NCPPC plans (or proof of continuous enrollment in comparable plans) during the 36 months immediately preceding your retirement date. Premium cost share based on years of service

Health Insurance Plans (FOP Members Pay 23% for Medical, Prescription and Dental and same as all other employees for Vision.) All other employees pay percentage below.*

• Medical
  • Kaiser Permanente Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) – (15%)
  • UnitedHealthcare Select Exclusive Provider Organization Health Plan (EPO) – (20%)
  • UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus Point of Service (POS) – (20%)
• Prescription – CVS Caremark – (15%)
• Dental – Delta Dental PPO and DeltaCare USA HMO – (20%)
• Vision – EyeMed – (80% of Low Option plan paid by Commission. Any balance paid by employee.)
  • Low, moderate, and high options are available. Frequency of covered services differs.

Flexible Spending Accounts (Employee Pays 100%)

• Medical Account – Maximum annual contribution: $3,300
• Dependent Care Account – Maximum annual contribution: $7,500

Long-Term Disability Insurance (Mandatory Participation)

• Employee Pays 20%: Commission Pays 80% (FOP Members Pay 100%)
• Benefits paid at 66 2/3% of base salary, maximum of $6,000/month

Supplemental Long-Term Disability Insurance (Employee Pays 100%)

• Benefits paid at 66 2/3% of base salary that exceeds $108,000; capped at $216,000

Basic Life and AD&D Insurance (Employee Pays 20%: Commission Pays 80%)

• Two (2) times base salary; maximum benefit is $200,000 for each
• Automatic coverage with opt-out provision

Supplemental and Spouse/Dependent Life Insurance (Employee Pays 100%)

• Supplemental – 1,2,3,4, or 5 times base salary; maximum benefit is $750,000
• Spouse/Dependent Combination - $10,000/$5,000, $20,000/$10,000, or $30,000/$15,000

Sick Leave Bank (Contribution and Benefit hours prorated for part-time employees)

• Employees have 60 days from date of hire to enroll.
• Employee contributes 8 leave hours each year
• Annually covers up to 688 hours for own serious medical condition, and 480 hours for parental responsibilities (birth, adoption or foster care), and 80-160 hours for serious medical condition of an immediate family member

Leave Programs

• Annual: 15 days per year
• Personal: 3 days per year (12-month waiting period)
• Sick: 15 days per year
• Holidays: 11 days per year

Other Benefits

• Credit Union
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Legal Services Plan
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Wellness Program
• Work-Life Program

For a more detailed description of benefits, please contact the Commission’s Health and Benefits Office at [e-mail] or 301-454-1694.