Senior Tree Maintenance Worker

Senior Tree Maintenance Worker

Salary

$54,152.43 - $76,197.91 Annually

Location

Sacramento, CA

Job Type

Full-Time Career

Job Number

003661-26-PW

Department

Public Works

Division

Urban Forestry

Opening Date

09/20/2026

Closing Date

10/4/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

THE POSITION

To lead, train, and participate in the work of a crew performing a variety of semi-skilled tree maintenance and plant culture work.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Senior Tree Maintenance Worker is distinguished from the next lower class of Tree Maintenance Worker in that the former provides lead supervision to a work crew, which includes assisting incumbents in the class of Tree Maintenance Worker Trainee and Tree Maintenance Worker with the more complex duties. This classification is distinguished from the higher classification of Tree Maintenance Supervisor in that the latter is responsible for the direct supervision of lower level tree maintenance workers.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

General supervision is provided by a Tree Maintenance Supervisor. Assignments require lead supervision of Tree Maintenance Worker and Trainee positions. The Senior Tree Maintenance Worker does not directly supervise.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

TYPICAL DUTIES

• Make specific work assignments, check work progress, keep work records, and prepare reports of work completed and materials used.
• Provide direct supervision to staff only while applying pesticides.
• Assist the Tree Maintenance Supervisor with training, planning, and scheduling duties, and report problems.
• 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.
• Respond to inquires from the public on occasion.
• 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:

• Department operations, procedures, and regulations for tree maintenance and plant culture work.
• Tree maintenance and plant culture methods and techniques.
• Principles, practices, materials, tools, and equipment used in tree maintenance and plant culture work.
• Varieties of plants and trees found in the Sacramento area.
• Safe and efficient work practices and methods for correcting hazardous conditions encountered in the course of work.

Skill in:

• Performing a variety of tree maintenance and plant culture activities using standard methods and equipment.

Ability to:

• Provide lead guidance to lower level workers on a regular basis.
• Assist the supervisor with training, planning, and scheduling duties.
• Keep records and prepare work, time, and material reports.
• Safely operate tree maintenance and nursery related equipment with skill and proficiency.
• Identify various plants, flowers, shrubs, trees, and ground covers by botanical and common names.
• Identify common pests and diseases related to trees and plants.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Work effectively with other employees and the general public.

Experience and Education:

Two years of experience performing a variety of tree maintenance and plant culture work.

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

Certificate:

Possession of a valid California Pesticide Applicators Certificate with a Category C or D qualification at the time of appointment.

PROOF OF CERTIFICATION

Proof of the required certificate and/or license should be submitted with your application and will be required at the time of appointment. Unofficial documents and/or copies are acceptable.

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.

Possession of a valid California Class A or B Driver License is required for some assignments.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Respiratory Protective Equipment:

Work in this classification requires 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 Sacramentos 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 certification and/or license should be submitted online with your application. Proof of certification and/or license 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 candidates 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 Senior 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? Thats 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 Employees Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) of 2013. Please note that the provisions within this act may affect or impact an applicants 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

01

APPLICATION: I understand my application must meet the minimum qualifications for consideration of employment with the City of Sacramento. The experience I list in the duties area of the "Work Experience" section of the employment application will be used to determine if I meet the minimum qualifications as stated on the job announcement. A resume, responses to the supplemental questions requiring a narrative response, employment history listed elsewhere in the application or attachments will not substitute for the information required in the "Work Experience" section of the employment application. Position/job titles will not be considered in determining eligibility for meeting the minimum qualifications for this position. 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). Please refer to the City of Sacramentos Applicant Resources Page for Screening Instructions: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/HR/employment

• Yes

02

PROOF OF CERTIFICATION: I understand proof of certification, should be submitted with my application and will be required at the time of appointment.

• Yes

03

CERTIFICATION CONFIRMATION: I attest I possess or will possess a valid California Pesticide Applicators Certificate with a Category C or D qualification by time of appointment if I am selected for this position.

• Yes
• No

04

DRIVERS LICENSE CONFIRMATION: I attest I possess or will possess a valid California Class C Drivers License by the time of appointment if I am selected for this position.

• Yes
• No

05

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE EXAMINATION: The following questions are the Training and Experience (T&E) Examination. In addition to the City of Sacramento employment application, applicants must complete and submit online responses to the T&E questions. This exam will evaluate the relevance, level, and progression of a candidates education, training and experience. Therefore, your responses to the T&E Exam questions should be thorough and complete because the exam score will determine your ranking on the eligible list for this job. In accordance with the City of Sacramentos Racial and Gender Equity Action Plan (RGEAP), this examination contains non-binary names and pronouns. For additional information regarding the Citys RGEAP, please copy and paste the following link into a web browser: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/content/dam/portal/hr/Divisions/ode/workforce-equity-documents/Full-RGEAP.pdf I understand and agree to the above instructions.

• Yes

06

Select all the boxes that best describe your experience evaluating a planting site and the factors you considered in determining the species of tree(s) you planted.

• Consideration for overhead utilities
• Consideration for underground utilities
• Planter dimensions
• Consideration for irrigation
• Building set back
• Consideration for the spacing between existing trees
• Soil characteristics
• Consideration of site usage
• Consideration for pedestrians
• Consideration for inventory of surrounding species
• None

07

Select all the boxes that best describe the techniques you have used to encourage, motivate, and build high morale amongst crew members.

• Positive verbal reinforcement
• Lead by example
• Encourage feedback and questions from crew members regarding the work situations
• Talk with crew members to make sure they understand the expectations of the job
• Demonstrate active listening skills
• Let employee(s) know when they are performing especially well or when they are not meeting job standards
• Take an interest in their work satisfaction
• Treat the crew fairly, impartially and with respect
• Let them know the importance of their work in relation to the entire tree program, department, and the overall organization
• Stress the importance of providing positive customer service
• None

08

Select the one option that best describes your experience handling conflict with customers regarding tree pruning.

• Four years or more
• At least three years, but less than four years
• At least two years, but less than three years
• At least one year, but less than two years
• Less than one year

09

Select the one option that best describes your experience identifying potential safety hazards as it relates to tree maintenance.

• Four years or more
• At least three years, but less than four years
• At least two years, but less than three years
• At least one year, but less than two years
• Less than one year

Required Question

Employer City of Sacramento

Address 915 I Street

Historic City Hall

Sacramento, California, 95814-2604

Phone (916) 808-5726

Website http://portal.cityofsacramento.org/HR