Tree Maintenance Worker

Job Description:

Tree Maintenance Worker

Description

THE POSITION

To perform semi-skilled tree maintenance and plant culture work.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the experienced level in the Tree Maintenance Worker series. Work in this class is distinguished from that of the Tree Maintenance Worker Trainee by the greater independence which with the incumbent is expected to operate. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the lower level class of the Tree Maintenance Worker Trainee, or if filled from the outside requires prior tree maintenance experience. Appointment to the class of Tree Maintenance Worker 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 supervision is provided by a Senior Tree Maintenance Worker.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

- Plant, fertilize, spray, prune, low limb and remove trees.
- Inject trees and apply chemicals to plants and trees for disease, pest, and weed control.
- Water trees and clean water wells.
- Operate trucks and other equipment such as jack hammers, chippers, power augers, stumpers, cement cutters, and sprayers.
- Propagate seeds and cuttings.
- Graft and bud plants, trees, and shrubs.
- Water, prune, fertilize, and transplant various flowers, shrubs, and trees.
- Weed and cultivate flower beds, container plants, shrubs, and other planted areas.
- Prepare cold frame and annual flower beds.
- The duties above are typical of those performed by incumbents in this class. Other related duties may also be performed; not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

- Principles, practices, methods, tools, and equipment used in tree maintenance and plant culture.
- Varieties of plants and trees found in the Sacramento area.
- Safety procedures involving fungicides, pesticides, herbicides, and related chemicals.

Skill in:

- Performing a wide range of tree maintenance and plant culture activities using standard methods and equipment.

Ability to:

- Identify various plant, flowers, shrubs, trees, and ground covers by botanical and common names.
- Identify common pests and diseases related to trees and plants.
- Work in a safe and efficient manner.
- Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
- Safely operate tree maintenance and nursery related equipment
with proficiency.
- Work effectively with other employees and the general public.
- Obtain a valid California Pesticide Applicator's Certificate
during the probationary period is desirable.

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:

One year of landscape or tree maintenance experience including some experience handling and applying pesticides.

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.

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS

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

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Respiratory Protective Equipment:
Work in this class required wearing respiratory protective equipment at times. When assigned to such work, facial hair must be shaven when it interferes with the safe fitting of respiratory protective equipment.

Some positions may be assigned to the City Nursery.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD:

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

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 by the final filing deadline;

• Employment applications must be submitted online; paper applications will not be accepted.
• Employment applications will be considered incomplete and will be disqualified:
  • If applicants do not list current and/or past job-related experience in the duties area of the "Work Experience" section. Note: Qualifying experience is based on full-time experience (40 hours per week). Qualifying experience is calculated to the full-time equivalent (pro-rated if less than 40 hours/week ).
  • If "see resume" is noted in the "Work Experience" section; a resume will not substitute for the information required in the "Work Experience" section.
• 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.
• If you’re requesting Veteran’s credit, a copy of your DD214 must be submitted online with your application or emailed to the Employment Office by the final filing deadline . Information regarding the use of Veteran’s credit can be found in the Civil Service Board rules under rule 4.9C.
• Applicants are responsible for attaching a copy of their DD214 to each position for which they apply.

2. Training and Experience Exam: (Weighted 100%) - The questions located at the end of the application are the Training and Experience (T&E) Exam. Responses to the T&E questions will be rated and scored. This exam will evaluate the relevance, level, and progression of a candidate's education, training and experience. The exam score will determine your ranking on the eligible list for this job. When completing the T&E questions, please note:

• Responses to the T&E questions must be submitted online; paper questionnaires will not be accepted.
• A resume will not substitute for the information required in the T&E questions.
  

3. Eligibility: Candidates who pass the Training and Experience Test will be placed on the eligible list. The hiring department may contact candidates for interview at any time during the life of the one-year list. Candidate’s eligibility expires one year from the date of notification of a passing score for the Tree Maintenance Worker examination.

4. Screening Committee: (Pass/Fail)- All candidates that pass the examination and are in one of the top three ranks will have their application forwarded to the hiring department for review. The hiring department will select the most competitive applications for further consideration. Human Resources will only evaluate employment applications for the minimum qualifications, as stated on the job announcement, for applications selected by the hiring department.

5. Conditional Hire: Upon receipt of a conditional offer, the selected candidate must complete and pass Live Scan/fingerprinting. If applicable, candidates may also need to pass a pre-employment medical exam, controlled substance and/or alcohol test, and possess any required licensure or certification prior to receiving a start date from the Department. Failure to meet these prerequisites will be grounds for withdrawal of your conditional offer of employment.

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 (855) 524-5627.
• Visit the City of Sacramento Human Resources Department website at https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/HR/employment ;
• Send an email to employment@cityofsacramento.org ; or
• Call the Human Resources Department at (916) 808-5726

Bilingual Pay
Did you know that the City offers bilingual pay? That's right, most labor agreements offer the option of providing employees with bilingual pay if the department deems it to be operationally necessary.

Pension Reform Act
The City of Sacramento is covered by the California Public Employees' Retirement System, and as such, must adhere to the California Public Employee's Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) of 2013. Please note that the provisions within this act may affect or impact an applicant's eligibility and/or selection for open vacancies at the City of Sacramento.

Equal Opportunity Employer
The City of Sacramento 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.

Additional Information
Civil Service Rules: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/content/dam/portal/hr/documentlibrary/CivilServiceBoardRules62012.pdf

Union Contracts: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/HR/labor-agreements.html

Salary Schedule: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/content/dam/portal/hr/documentlibrary/SalarySchedule.pdf

Closing Date/Time: 1/6/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$50,633.97 - $71,247.08 Annually