Tree Trimmer

City of Seattle•Wa 98108, WA

17h•Onsite

About The Position

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is seeking a full-time Tree Trimmer for its Urban Forestry program, within the Department of Natural Resources Unit in the Citywide Services Division. The program stewards tree preservation, protection, and canopy development in natural and developed parks. SPR manages a 6,414-acre park system with more than 485 developed parks and natural areas. The Tree Trimmer participates in a tree crew responding to emergencies, work requests, pruning needs, and hazard-tree mitigation on SPR-managed properties, including developed parks, natural areas, park boulevards, and certain rights-of-way. The role supports public safety and healthy trees and requires customer service, teamwork, and a commitment to equity, inclusion, and tree care. The position requires knowledge of tree pruning and removal methods and equipment, and adherence to ANSI standards and applicable Washington Administrative Code requirements. The position is full-time. The full salary range is $39.31 to $42.50 per hour. Work is outdoors in all types of weather and includes climbing, heavy lifting, operating equipment, and being on call for emergencies. The City offers vacation time, 12 paid holidays, sick leave, and medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.

Requirements

One year of experience in urban forestry, landscape maintenance, tree farming, or tree trimming involving safety harnesses, climbing equipment, aerial hydraulic lift trucks, rigging, and chainsaws, and applying arboricultural practices, proper pruning methods, and related safety practices; comparable combinations of education, training, and experience may be evaluated.
Current Washington State Driver's License.
Class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with air-brake restriction removed and a valid medical certificate, required or to be obtained within six months of hire.
Current First Aid/CPR certification, required or to be obtained within six months of hire.
Washington State Flagging/Traffic Control certification, required or to be obtained within six months of hire.
Knowledge of methods and equipment used in pruning and removing trees.
Knowledge of and adherence to ANSI standards and applicable Washington Administrative Code requirements for tree care.
Ability to work outdoors in all types of weather, climb trees, work at varying heights, and operate tree-care machinery and equipment safely.
Ability to stand, walk, climb, or bend for extended periods and frequently lift objects weighing more than 50 pounds.
Ability to be on call at all times for emergencies.

Nice To Haves

ISA Certified Arborist.
ISA Tree Risk Assessor Qualified.
WSDA Certified Public Operator.
Additional training and a Washington Pesticide Operator’s License.
Familiarity with state, federal, and industry standards and regulations for arboriculture operations.
Basic knowledge of tree risk assessment techniques.
Experience with storm-damaged trees, hazard-tree felling, tree climbing, and aerial tree-work operations.
Excellent customer service skills, commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, passion for preserving and caring for trees, and ability to work as a team member.

Responsibilities

Participate in the work of a tree crew.
Prune and remove greenbelt, arterial, park, and street trees to promote public safety and maintain tree health.
Climb trees of varying heights using ropes, saddles, spurs, ladders, or an aerial hydraulic lift truck to prune or remove trees safely.
Fell trees, salvage fallen timber, and remove trees and stumps.
Respond to emergency calls to remove damaged tree sections or entire trees.
Maintain, inspect, and operate equipment including hydraulic aerial lift trucks, hand and power saws, compressors, woodchippers, winches, blowers, and stump cutters.
Weed tree pits; fertilize, water, and prune young trees; and spray or inject trees to control insects, diseases, or weeds.
Evaluate tree health and identify potential hazards to property and public safety.
Perform other related duties of a comparable level or type as assigned.