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Tree Trimmer

Salary

$57,428.80 - $75,129.60 Annually

Location

CA 91942, CA

Job Type

Regular Full-Time

Job Number

25-44

Department

Public Works Operations

Division

Parks

Opening Date

10/27/2025

Closing Date

11/17/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

Position Summary

The City currently has one (1) Tree Trimmer vacancy in the Public Works Department.

Future Scheduled Salary Increases:

5.0% increase effective July 1, 2026

5.0% increase effective July 1, 2027

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

To perform a variety of semi-skilled and skilled work involved in the trimming, removal, and general maintenance of trees within City right of ways and parks; to operate and maintain tree trimming and branch disposal equipment; and to ensure adherence to safe work procedures and practices.

This is the entry/journey level class in the Tree Trimmer series. Positions in this class perform the full range of tree trimming work and are distinguished from the Senior Tree Trimmer class in that they are not expected to lead a crew on a regular basis or perform the most complex and specialized tree trimming work. Incumbents initially work under close supervision, but are expected to perform with increasing independence as experience and skill are acquired.

Key Responsibilities

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

+ Perform a variety of semi-skilled and skilled tasks involved in the trimming, removal, and general maintenance of trees; perform tasks in accordance with recommended tree care programs.

+ Climb and trim trees in numerous locations throughout the City including City right of ways and parks.

+ Prune trees and shrubbery to provide clearance of streets, sidewalks, signs, and lights and as necessary to ensure continued health of trees.

+ Remove fallen trees, dead limbs and other debris resulting from storm damage and general conditions.

+ Remove and grind stumps.

+ Safely operate, maintain, and clean a variety of hand and power tools including, but not limited to, a chainsaw, brush chipper, stump grinder, front end loader, aerial lift truck, power pole saw and various tree climbing equipment.

+ Ensure adherence to safe work procedures; check location of power lines, pedestrians, crew members, equipment and traffic before cutting limbs; set up appropriate traffic safety controls around tree pruning and maintenance work sites; sweep work area to keep it free from debris.

+ Work both independently and as a crew member in removing trees and stumps.

+ Perform general maintenance work when not assigned to tree trimming duties.

+ Perform related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training:

Formal or informal education or training that ensures the ability to read and write at a level necessary for successful job performance supplemented by specialized training in tree care work.

Experience:

Six months of experience involving tree maintenance work including some tree trimming experience.

License or Certificate:

Possession of a valid Class C driver's license at the time of appointment, and required to obtain a Class B driver's license within six months of employment.

Special Requirements:

Employees in this position are subject to mandatory drug and alcohol testing as required by the Department of Transportation. The applicant selected will be given a conditional offer of employment pending the outcome of a post-offer physical and drug screen. Additionally, applicants will be required to provide written authorization allowing the City to contact previous employers to determine if the applicant has previously tested positive for drugs or alcohol, or refused to submit for testing.

Examination Process

Interested applicants must submit an online application, a cover letter, and a completed supplemental questionnaire by the closing deadline of 11:59 p.m. on November 17, 2025. Unless specifically stated otherwise in this announcement, all requirements must be met at the time of application, and all required licenses and certificates must be current and valid. Candidates whose qualifications most closely meet the needs of the City will be invited to participate in the examination process for this position. The examination process includes an appraisal interview and department selection interview.

Schedule of Events:

November 17, 2025 - Recruitment Closes

December 10, 2025 - Appraisal Interview

December 15, 2025 - Department Selection Interview

*Please note interview dates are subject to change.

NOTE : Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment medical evaluation, including alcohol/drug screen, and employment verification, and background investigation.

The City of La Mesa offers a comprehensive benefit package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. Click here (https://www.cityoflamesa.us/DocumentCenter/View/22734/General-Employees-Unit-July-2024-PDF) for a summary of Employee benefits.

For additional detailed information regarding salaries and benefits, please review the La Mesa City Employees Association MOU. (https://www.cityoflamesa.us/DocumentCenter/View/11348/La-Mesa-City-Employees-Association-MOU-PDF?bidId=)

01

Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as part of the application screening and selection process. The information you provide will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to continue in the selection process. Please be as descriptive as possible in responding to each question. Resumes in lieu of this questionnaire will not be accepted. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and that your responses can be verified from information included within the application?

+ Yes

+ No

02

Do you possess a valid Class A or Class B California Driver's License?

+ Yes

+ No

03

Do you have at least 6 months of experience involving tree maintenance work, including some tree trimming experience?

+ Yes

+ No

04

Please select the number of years of experience you have involving tree maintenance work. Your responses must align with the job history provided in your application.

+ Less than 6 months

+ 6 months to 1 year

+ More than 1 year, but less than 2 years

+ More than 2 years, but less than 4 years

+ More than 4 years

05

Please describe any tree maintenance experience you have (include name of employer(s), years of experience, types of projects, and equipment used). If you have no related experience in this area, please type "N/A".

06

Please describe any specialized training you have related to this position. Include any certifications you achieved, and include what type of certification and the date you received the certification.

07

Please indicate which equipment you have experience operating with. (Check all that apply)

+ Blower

+ Chipper

+ Chain Saw

+ Stump Grinder

+ Basic Hand Tools

+ None of the above

08

Describe your experience operating an aerial lift truck and any related safety measures associated with the operation of the lift truck. If no experience with this type of truck, please type "N/A".

09

This position works from 6:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. (9/80 schedule) with alternate Fridays off. Are you willing and able to work this schedule?

+ Yes

+ No

10

APPLICANT'S ACKNOWLEDGMENT - NOTIFICATION VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL (E-MAIL): The City of La Mesa Human Resources Division uses e-mail to notify our applicants of important information relating to the status and processing of your application. Therefore, as an applicant, you are hereby advised of the following: 1. Ensure that the e-mail address and contact information you provide is current, secure, and readily accessible to you. Do not share e-mail addresses. Spam or other filters should be adjusted to accept our e-mails. We will not be responsible in any way if you do not receive our e-mail notifications, i.e., for the non-delivery of e-mail or if you fail to check your e-mail inbox on a timely basis, etc. 2. Carefully read any notices that we send in a timely manner. Follow further instructions, if any. We recommend that you print and keep a hard copy of our notices for your records. I acknowledge that I have read, understand, and agree to the above.

+ Yes

+ No

Required Question

Employer

City of La Mesa

Address

8130 Allison Avenue La Mesa, California, 91942

Phone

619-667-1175

Website

https://www.cityoflamesa.gov/

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