Urban Forestry Technician

Urban Forestry Technician

Salary

$35.70 - $43.36 Hourly

Location

Ontario, CA

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

050826 UrbanForestryTech

Department

Parks & Street Maintenance

Opening Date

05/25/2026

Closing Date

6/8/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit

AFSCME

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

The Position

Urban Forestry Technician

The City of Ontarios Parks and Maintenance Department has an excellent opportunity for an individual interested in serving the community by playing a key role on the team. The Urban Forestry Technician participates in the work of a crew of skilled and unskilled workers in the performance of Urban Forestry within the Public Works Agency including tree planting, maintenance, and removal activities; coordinates assigned activities with other City departments, divisions and outside agencies.

The ideal candidate will have the ability to operate and maintain a variety of power equipment and hand tools; operate light and medium-duty equipment; and perform other related work as necessary. Additionally, successful candidates will embody the Departments mission and vision as well as the qualities of a "Five Tool Player"- Leader, Thinker, Communicator, Operator and Public Servant - and the principles of the Citys Customer Service Philosophy- Empathy, Respect, and Problem Solving.

The following procedures will apply:

• Separate Promotional and Open (external) Eligibility Lists will be established.
• The hiring department will consider candidates on the Promotional Eligibility List prior to considering candidates on the Open Eligibility List.
• The Open Eligibility List will consist of external applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and successfully complete any required selection processes.
• The Promotional Eligibility List will be comprised of current City employees (full or part-time) who meet the minimum qualifications and successfully complete any required selection processes.
• The City of Ontario reserves the right, if necessary, to accept only the first one hundred (100) applications from applicants that meet the qualification guidelines below.
• Completed applications will be reviewed and only qualified applicants whose qualifications best meet or exceed the requirements of the position and needs of the City will be invited to participate further in the selection process.

Parks and Maintenance Department

The Parks and Maintenance Department is committed to creating and strengthening community value by enhancing the quality of life in the City of Ontario through our professional services, maintaining and preserving parkland, public facilities, and City infrastructure. This includes the maintenance service programs and operations to the City park system, public grounds, roadway maintenance, storm drains, street sweeping, sidewalks and public right-of-way, tree trimming, graffiti abatement, traffic signs, street painting and striping, debris removal, and contract maintenance services.

Within these program areas, the department provides services for non-structural overlays and pothole repair, landscape and irrigation maintenance, street striping and sign repairs, concrete repair and maintenance of sidewalk/curb/gutter, street sweeping and debris removal, and graffiti abatement.

The Public Works Agency

The Public Works Agency provides essential construction, integrated waste and recycling collection, fleet and facility maintenance and repair services to the citizens and businesses of Ontario through the Parks and Maintenance, Municipal Services, and Integrated Waste Departments. The Agency strives to meet the daily challenges of maintaining exceptional levels of service to our residents and community, providing stellar customer service, and maximizing all resources to develop and maintain value for the City. The Agency has 232 full time employees and an annual budget of over $105 million.

The City of Ontario is a dynamic leading community in the Inland Empire with a variety of full-time and part-time employment and volunteer opportunities. Ontario enjoys the reputation of being a progressive City which provides solid leadership to its citizens and to the business community. The City provides a full range of services to the community including, but not limited to: Police, Fire, Management Services, Community Life & Culture, Community Development, Economic Development, Public Works and the Ontario Municipal Utilities Company. The City's team is staffed with approximately 1,517 full-time equivalent diverse and talented employees who work to support a common goal of providing excellent service to the community.

The City's vision for the future is very exciting, and we foresee tremendous growth within the years to come. We welcome you to view the City of Ontario's 2026 State of the City video by clicking on the link below as well as the other links to learn more about the City:

State of the City The Ontario Plan

Smart Ontario Downtown Ontario

Examples of Essential Functions

The functions typically performed by the Urban Forestry Technician include the following:

• Plants, trims, sprays, removes, and maintains trees working from the ground, from ladders, and by climbing trees with the aid of ropes, climbers, safety belts, and aerial towers.
• Operates heavy equipment including boom truck, tractor, stump grinder, chain hand saw, aerial ladder, brush chipper, and chipper van.
• Uses rigging, ropes, lines, and tackle in climbing trees and lowering branches to the ground; applies proper slings and knots to the rigging as necessary; utilizes aerial trucks to trim trees in high elevation.
• Prunes trees to provide clearance of streets, sidewalks, signs, and lights and as necessary to ensure continuous health of plant.
• Picks up tree cuttings, brush, and debris resulting from tree trimming; loads truck or chipping machine; cuts and clears ground brush and undergrowth.
• Removes and grinds stumps; plants and transplants trees.
• Removes fallen trees, dead limbs, and other debris resulting from storm damage and general conditions.
• Treats cut surfaces to protect trees from insects and tree diseases; applies pesticides to trees as needed, inspects, and recommends if additional tree surgery is needed.
• Checks location of power lines, personnel, equipment, pedestrians, and traffic before cutting limbs; checks ropes for wear and breakage; ensures proper traffic control and delineation procedures.
• Cleans and maintains trimming equipment.
• Makes report of damage to structures and facilities such as sidewalks, sprinklers, and fences damaged in tree trimming or tree removal process.
• Hangs banners, signs, flags, and decorations for community or holiday events.
• Inspects and monitors projects on development sites with protected trees.
• Inspects City trees for damage, disease, parasites, deterioration, or threat to property in response to public inquiry, complaint or routine canvass.
• May spray trees to treat diseased or unhealthy trees, including mixing of chemicals and calibrating equipment.
• Makes recommendations regarding the maintenance of the tree trimming cycle.
• Responds to call outs regarding tree related complaints and to resolve tree trimming problems and emergencies.
• Meets with residents to explain the City's tree trimming/removal process.
• Adheres to safety practices as it relates to forestry and park maintenance, employees, the public, and private and public property, ensuring proper safety procedures and personal protective equipment (PPE) is used at all times and collaborates with respective agencies as it relates to the City's liability program.
• Performs related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualification Guidelines

Education:

Equivalent to High School diploma or recognized equivalent.

Experience:

Two years in Urban Forestry, Horticulture, Agriculture, Landscape Management, or a related field. Must have experience in tree identification, planting, pruning, diagnosis, removal, and caring for trees including experience with rope, saddle equipment, and climbing trees.

Licenses:

Valid Class A California driver's license at time of hire and an acceptable driving record at the time of appointment and throughout employment.

Certifications:

Must possess the "Certified Arborist" designation by the Western Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture.

Special Requirements:

• Must have the ability to sit, stand, walk, kneel, crouch, stoop, squat, twist, climb, and lift to 50 - 90 lbs.; exposure to heat, noise, outdoors, heights, vibration, confining workspace, mechanical hazards, and electrical hazards; ability to travel to different sites and locations.

• Incumbents in this classification are subject to Department of Transportation (DOT) preemployment, random, post-accident, and reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing.

Supplemental Information

How to Apply

Apply online by clicking on the "Apply" link at the top of this announcement. If this is the first time applying for a position using governmentjobs.com you will be prompted to create a new user account, otherwise log in with your username and password. Your application and responses to any supplemental questions will be used to evaluate your qualifications for this position. It is suggested that your application include the following:

• List any relevant experience and education that demonstrates that you qualify for the position.
• List all periods of employment for at least the past 10 years, beginning with your most recent or present employer (including, if applicable, all employment with the City of Ontario).
• Separately list each position held, including different positions with the same employer.

A resume may be attached to your application but will not substitute for the proper completion of your application. Applications that are not properly completed may be rejected.

NOTE: Transcripts from colleges, universities or technical schools outside of the United States must be assessed for U.S. equivalency by a NACES educational credential evaluation service. Failure to provide a transcript or credential evaluation report will result in your application being rejected and you will not be able to continue in the selection process for this position.

Application Process

Applicants are required to submit required certification(s) or other required documentation as outlined in the Qualifications Guideline section of this bulletin. Please use the attachment function found on the Citys online application to attach copies of the requested certification(s) or other documentation. Failure to attach required documentation may result in the rejection of your application. Please contact the Human Resources/Risk Management Agency if you have any questions regarding the application process.

Your application is the primary tool used to evaluate your job qualifications. It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. Failure to complete these sections may result in the rejection of your application.

Supplemental Questions

To complete your application for this position you will be prompted to respond to supplemental questions. This information will be used as part of the application screening and selection process and is designed to help you present your qualifications for this position. This may include a selection step in which your application and supplemental questions are reviewed and scored by a panel of raters familiar with this position.

Incomplete responses, false statements, omission, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Your responses should be consistent with the information provided on your application.

Please provide succinct, concise, descriptive, and detailed information for each question. If you have no experience, write "no experience" for the appropriate question.

Email Notices

Email is the primary way that the Human Resources or Hiring Department will communicate with you. Please check your email account (including the SPAM folder) on a regular basis for any emails related to the application or selection process. Emails from the city of Ontario will come from "@ontarioca.gov" or "governmentjobs.com." If you change your email address after submitting your application, please visit governmentjobs.com and update your profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any additional questions regarding the application process, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions page.

The City of Ontario values the health and wellness of our employees and their families. We understand benefits are an important part of your total compensation and we take pride in offering a comprehensive benefit package. Please check out our excellent benefit packages here www.ontariocityemployees.org.

Employees in this classification are represented by the American Federal of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). For a list of benefits for AFSCME employees please click here 2025 AFSCME Benefit Summary

01

INSTRUCTIONS: The information on your application and the following supplemental questionnaire will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. The information you provide will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility and to further identify those applicants who are best qualified to continue in the selection process for this position. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, partial information or AI-generated responses may result in disqualification from the selection process. Resumes may be attached, but they will not be accepted in lieu of completing the job experience section of the application or the supplemental questions. Responses to the supplemental questions that indicate "see resume" are considered incomplete. By checking the Yes response below, I indicate that I have read the job bulletin and these instructions for completing the supplemental questionnaire. Additionally, I certify that my application and supplemental answers accurately reflect my training, education and experience; and I understand that my responses are subject to verification.

• Yes, I understand the above statement.

02

All appointments to this position are required to provide proof of completion of the listed education or certification requirements. Acceptable forms of proof include Unofficial Transcripts, Official Transcripts, Photos and/or Photocopies of Institutional Degrees/Certifications. This must be provided by way of attachment to your online application or as an email attachment sent to the Hiring Agency Representative conducting the reference check. Failure to provide the required documentation at, or before, time of the reference check process will result in disqualification If you require clarification on this requirement, please call the City of Ontario Recruitment Team at (909) 395-2035. Please indicate that you have read and understand the statement above by selecting "Yes."

• Yes
• No

03

Do you currently possess a valid California Commercial Class A Drivers License?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you possess a high school diploma or a recognized equivalent?

• Yes
• No

05

Do you currently possess the "Certified Arborist " designation by the Western Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture? Proof must be attached to your application. If not attached, application may result in disqualification.

• Yes
• No

06

Please indicate your related years of work experience in Urban Forestry, Horticulture, Agriculture, Landscape Management, or related field.

• less than two (2) years
• two (2) years or more but less than four (4) years
• four (4) years or more
• none

07

Do you have experience in tree identification, planting, pruning, diagnosis, removal, and caring for trees including experience with rope, saddle equipment, and climbing trees?

• Yes
• No

08

Incumbents in this classification are subject to Department of Transportation (DOT) preemployment, random, post-accident, and reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing. Please indicated that you have read and understand the above statement by selecting "Yes."

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Ontario

Address 200 North Cherry Avenue

Ontario, California, 91764

Phone 909.395.2455

909.395.2000

Website http://www.ontarioca.gov