Tree Worker

Tree Worker

Salary

$67,620.80 - $82,326.40 Annually

Location

Oakland, CA

Job Type

Full Time Civil Service

Job Number

26-TR190-06

Department

Oakland Public Works Department

Opening Date

07/23/2026

Closing Date

8/11/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit

SC1

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

The Position

The City of Oakland is an equal opportunity employer that values workforce diversity, inclusion, and equity. Oakland has a long history of activism around issues of justice and equity. Both oppression and this resistance to oppression have shaped the city's historical roots and the lives of its residents to this day. As public servants in one of the most diverse cities in the nation, we strive to develop employees who understand the harm and impacts of systemic inequity to create lasting, meaningful outcomes for everyone. Oakland strives to establish an environment that embraces the richness of culture, community, and individualism of employees.

Why join the City of Oaklands Public Works Department?

Are you interested in being part of an urban forestry program in a diverse and dynamic city? The City of Oakland has an excellent opportunity for individuals who enjoy being outdoors, interacting with the public, and working for the benefit and beauty of the community!

The City of Oakland is currently recruiting to fill one (1) Tree Worker vacancy within the Oakland Public Works Department. The ideal candidate will be an enthusiastic team player with exceptional communication skills, capable of following oral and written directions to complete assignments, eager to learn a variety of tree maintenance tasks, and interested in long-term professional development. The ideal candidate will also demonstrate a solid work ethic, including a strong commitment to maintaining the Citys urban forest.

We are also recruiting to fill Tree Trimmer and Tree Trimmer Crew Leader positions. If you would like to be considered for any other positions, you must submit separate applications for each posting. The other postings can be found here:

Tree Trimmer

Tree Trimmer Crew Leader

We are looking for someone who:

• Is committed to job site safety.
• Takes initiative and works well as part of a team.
• Interacts and communicates well with the public.
• Is eager to learn and develop new skills.
• Can perform physically demanding outdoor work in varying weather conditions.

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Performing tree maintenance and assisting Tree Trimmers and Crew Leaders.
• Operating brush, aerial lift, crane, and wood chipper trucks.
• Following safe work practices and helping maintain a safe job site.
• Cleaning up job sites by removing brush, limbs, and debris.
• Gathering, inspecting, and preparing equipment for daily use.
• Lowering limbs safely using ropes and other rigging equipment.
• Fueling and maintaining chainsaws and other equipment as directed.
• Operating or assisting with the operation of a wood chipper.
• Supporting the crew with general tree work and other assigned tasks.

Read the complete job description by clicking here: Tree Worker

• Click on the link below to see a video on what its like to work for the City of Oakland!

Working for the City of Oakland

A few reasons you might love this job:

• You will have opportunities to learn new skills and advance to higher-level positions.
• You will work outdoors in parks, neighborhoods, and other natural settings.
• You will be part of a team that helps keep Oaklands trees healthy, safe, and beautiful.
• You will make a positive impact in the community.

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• You will perform strenuous physical work, including lifting, carrying, and pulling, as well as working outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.
• You will work with hazardous equipment and tools, and be expected to maintain safe work practices and stay focused at all times.
• You will be expected to interact with members of the public and respond professionally to questions and concerns at the job site.
• You will need to adapt to changing work locations, weather conditions, and daily work assignments.

Competencies Required:

• Action & Results Focused (Taking Initiative): Initiating tasks and focusing on accomplishment
• Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products
• Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims
• Customer Focus: Attending to the needs and expectations of customers
• Decision Making: Choosing optimal courses of action in a timely manner
• Environmental Exposure Tolerance: Performing under physically demanding conditions
• General Physical Ability: Using strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, and coordination
• Handling Stress: Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity
• Manual Dexterity: Using senses, hands, and fingers in manipulating objects quickly and efficiently
• Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
• Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job
• Reading Comprehension: Understanding and using written information
• Safety Focus: Showing vigilance and care in identifying and addressing health risks and safety hazards
• Teamwork: Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals
• Valuing Diversity: Appreciating the benefits of varied backgrounds and cultures in the workplace

Minimum Requirements for Application

This recruitment will produce two eligible lists. The restricted list will be for full-time, permanent part-time, or part-time City and Port of Oakland employees who maintain employment for the duration of the recruitment and pass all stages of the recruitment process. The open list will be for all other applicants who pass all stages of the recruitment process.

Any combination of education and experience that is equivalent to the following minimum qualifications may be acceptable:

Education:

Successful completion of the eighth grade.

Experience:

One (1) year of work experience including heavy manual labor.

License or Certificate / Other Requirements:

Possession of a Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certificate (CPR) by the end of the probationary period.

Possess and maintain a valid California Drivers License, Class C, throughout the tenure of employment with the City of Oakland. License requirements are subject to changes in State and Federal law, and the City of Oakland must comply with mandated changes at all times.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Tree maintenance experience operating a chainsaw, wood chippers, stump grinder, and/or other machinery.
• Completed courses in arboriculture or horticulture.

Supplemental Information

The Recruitment Process

The City of Oakland works with a Civil Service system. Applicants apply online, and HR staff reviews their experience, education, and training listed on the application against the "minimum qualifications" listed for each position.

Candidates who demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements are then invited to participate in an assessment process (or testing) to measure their knowledge, skills, and abilities in job-related areas.

Candidates who do not demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements will have an opportunity to request a final review. Candidates must request a final review within 5 business days of being notified that they did not meet the minimum qualifications.

In the final review, candidates may clarify information already provided on their application. No additional work history, education, or certifications will be accepted. Any decisions made during this review process will be final.

For this recruitment, all qualified applicants will be invited to the job simulation exercise (sometimes referred to as a performance exam) (weighted 100%). The tentative date of the performance exam is the week of August 31, 2026.

Candidates requesting reasonable accommodations for the examination process must request accommodations no later than one week before they are scheduled to take the exam; otherwise, it may not be possible to arrange accommodations for the selection process. Please complete the Request for Reasonable Accommodation in Testing form by clicking on this link or by copying and pasting the link into your browser to open it: https://cao-94612.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/Request-for-Reasonable-Accommodation-in-Testing-2.9.22-Fillable.pdf ; Send the completed form and any supporting documentation to the exam analyst: Alanna Butler at abutler@oaklandca.gov.

Candidates who pass each stage in the process will be placed on an eligible list. Some candidates may receive extra points, for example, if you are a Veteran with an honorable discharge, or if you are a current City of Oakland resident. If you're applying to a "restricted" posting and you are eligible as a current City employee, you may also receive additional points for your City service. Extra points are only applied to passing scores, so if you do not pass every element of the testing process, you cannot use extra points to pass.

The City of Oakland reserves the right to modify the selection process and date of examination as necessary to conform to administrative or business necessity. The information contained in this announcement is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

What's in it for you?

• Work/Life Balance: 40-hour work weeks
• 15 paid holidays
• Vacation: 2 weeks per year minimum with the ability to accrue more depending on public sector years of service
• Retirement: CalPERS (California Public Employees' Retirement System) with a pension formula of 2.5% @ 55 (for Classic CalPERS members) and 2% @ 62 for new CalPERS members. Classic Employees contribute 8% of pre-tax wages. The City of Oakland does not participate in Social Security
• Health: The City of Oakland pays the full cost of employee and eligible dependent coverage at the Kaiser rate. Other plans include Anthem, Blue Shield, United Healthcare, and other HMO and PPO plans
• Dental: Delta Dental full premium for employees and eligible dependents
• Vision: VSP full premium for employees and eligible dependents
• Sick leave: Employees accrue 12 days per year
• Deferred Compensation: 457(b) pre-tax plan and an after-tax ROTH 401(k)plan
• Other benefits include a Flexible Spending Account, Wellness Program, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement, Life Insurance up to $200k & Employee Training.
• Benefits described here do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found here: Working for Oakland | City of Oakland, CA

Applicants are required to submit criminal history information upon request after receiving a conditional offer of employment. If the requested information is not furnished in a timely manner, applicants will not qualify for further consideration and will be removed from the eligible list.

Disaster Service Workers

All employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

How to Apply

Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least two to three hours to submit your application if you are a new user of the system. APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED ONLINE ONLY. You may apply and view current openings by visiting our employment opportunities webpage at:

http://agency.governmentjobs.com/oaklandca

If you do not have access to a computer, there are computer stations available at any City of Oakland Public Library. There are also workstations at the Human Resources Management Department, 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 2nd Floor, Oakland, CA 94612. Workstations are available during regular business hours (normally 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.).

Our online application system is provided by GovernmentJobs. If you have problems while applying online, please contact GovernmentJobs Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday. You may also call the City of Oakland Human Resources Management Department during regular business hours at (510) 238-3112 for information; however, we are unable to provide technical support for the online application system. For recruitment-specific questions, please contact Alanna Butler at abutler@oaklandca.gov.

The City of Oakland is committed to the wellbeing of its employees and offers comprehensive health and wellness services along with an array of other benefits for most positions. Benefits may include*:

• CalPERS Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Medical Waiver Plan - Cash-In-Lieu
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Commuter Benefits
• Group & Supplemental Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH)
• Pension Benefits
• Deferred Compensation
• Specific benefits may vary depending on the assigned specific bargaining unit. Information regarding most benefits can be reviewed here: Employee Benefits Information Current MOUs may be reviewed here: City of Oakland Labor Agreements

01

Please be sure to answer the supplemental questions thoroughly and accurately. Applicants are responsible for clearly, completely, and accurately identifying their qualifications. Responses to the supplemental questions may determine your application status. By answering "yes" to this question, I certify that I have read and understand the statement above concerning submission of supplemental question responses.

• Yes
• No

02

This recruitment will produce two eligible lists. The restricted list will be for full-time, permanent part-time, or part-time City employees who maintain employment for the duration of the recruitment and pass all stages of the recruitment process. The open list will be for all other applicants who pass all stages of the recruitment process. Are you a current full-time, permanent part-time, or part-time City of Oakland employee?

• Yes
• No

03

If you are a current City or Port of Oakland employee, what is your job title and employee ID number? If you are not a City or Port of Oakland employee, type "N/A".

04

Have you previously been employed by the City of Oakland?

• Yes
• No

05

If you have previously been employed by the City of Oakland, please enter the dates and titles of the jobs you previously held at the City of Oakland below. If not applicable, type "N/A".

06

Please list other names used while employed by the City of Oakland. If you have not been employed by the City of Oakland, type "N/A".

07

Do you confirm that the address on your application matches your current residency?

• Yes
• No

08

If the address on your application does not match your current residence, please enter your address and update it in your application profile. If not applicable, type "N/A".

09

What is the highest degree or level of education that you have completed?

• Completion of the 8th grade
• High school graduate, diploma or equivalent (for example: GED)
• Some college credits, no degree
• Associates degree or higher
• Other

10

Please clearly and thoroughly state how your experience and the related duties you performed involving heavy manual labor. If you do not have this experience, type "N/A".

11

REQUIRED DOCUMENT: Applicants must scan and attach a copy of their drivers license to qualify for participation in the recruitment process. I understand and acknowledge that my application will be considered incomplete if I do not attach the required document.

• Yes
• No

12

Acting assignments: If you have served in an Acting assignment that you would like considered as experience towards the minimum qualifications requirement, please list the Acting assignment(s) separately in the "Work experience" section of your application. For each Acting assignment, the description must include the Acting job title (use the word Acting as part of the job title), dates and hours served, and duties performed. I understand the above statement and will list any Acting assignments separately in the "Work experience" section of my application form.

• Yes
• No

13

Answers to the above supplemental questions MUST be supported by information contained in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of this application. Answers not supported by information contained in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of this application will NOT be considered. Resumes and cover letters will not be reviewed. I have read and understand this statement.

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Oakland

Address 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza - 2nd Floor

Oakland, California, 94612

Phone (510) 238-3112

Website http://www.oaklandca.gov/