Maintenance Specialist- Landscape

About the role

The Maintenance Specialist is responsible for the planning, maintenance, preservation, and management of trees and urban green infrastructure in the Landscape Maintenance Districts and General Benefit Areas. This role supports environmental sustainability, public safety, and community beautification through urban forestry tree care programs, inspections, and planting initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Administers contract services for urban forestry operations, supervises personnel involved with urban forestry and landscape maintenance projects.
• Inspects and ensures compliance with contractual terms and specifications.
• Inspects, evaluates, and monitors the health and condition of urban forest trees and prescribes treatment as necessary.
• Performs and evaluates soil analysis to determine fertility condition and treatment needed to promote tree or plant health, growth, and vitality.
• Selects and plants juvenile trees and nursery stock.
• Covers tree planting, pruning, removal, and maintenance operations.
• Provides education and instruction in proper forestry and arboriculture practices.
• Enforces International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and American National Standard Institute (ANSI) specifications for tree pruning, removal, planting, and replacement.
• Assists with management and oversight of the Western Joshua Tree and Native Vegetation Preservation ordinance.
• Conducts tree risk assessments and recommends corrective actions.
• Maintains tree inventory databases.
• Ensures compliance with local, state, and federal environmental regulations.
• Affords assistance with the procurement of commodities, contract services, and requisition entry.
• Prepares reports, assists with budget preparation, and manages operating budgets.
• Responds to public inquiries and community concerns regarding trees and landscaping.
• Aids in wildfire hazard mitigation, storm response, and emergency tree hazards.
• Promotes sustainability, biodiversity, and climate resilience initiatives.
• Educates the public about tree care and urban environmental stewardship.

Qualifications

• 5 years of increasingly responsible experience in performing municipal forestry work.
• Knowledge of tree biology, pest management, and pruning standards.
• Familiarity with GIS software and urban forestry inventory systems.
• Ability to operate forestry tools and equipment safely.
• Strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Valid driver’s license at time of appointment.

Skills

• International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist.
• International Society of Arboriculture Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ).
• Commercial Pesticide Applicator License DPR Q.A.L.

Benefits

Benefits listed here apply to full-time and benefited part-time positions, not to unbenefited part-time employees unless described. A probation period of six months minimum applies to initial employment with the City. Vacation, holidays, and leave details are provided. Administrative employees accrue 80 hours of administrative leave per year with a maximum accrual of 240 hours. Sick leave accrues 96 hours per year with a maximum accrual of 800 hours (400 hours for benefited part-time employees).

Pay

The full salary range for this position is as follows: $37.96-$48.46. Expected hiring range is as follows: $37.96 to $41.86.

Schedule

Normal operating hours are from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm Monday – Thursday. Closed on Friday.

Union

The Teamsters Local 911 represents certain positions in the City's Public Works Maintenance division.

Employment Information

Application materials must be submitted by the closing date listed in the job bulletin. Resumes cannot be accepted in lieu of a City online application. Residence within the City is not required. An eligibility list of the most qualified applicants will be compiled based on the results of the selection process. The list will remain in place for a period to be determined by Human Resources.

Supplemental Questions

Please answer the following supplemental questions to further explain your qualifications:

1. Do you possess an I.S.A. Certified Arborist? If so, please provide the certification number.
2. Do you possess an I.S.A. Tree Risk Assessment Qualification? If so, please provide the issue date.
3. Do you have 5 years of experience providing professional arboricultural services in support of municipal urban forestry programs? If so, please explain your experience.
4. Do you have 3 years of experience performing tree risk assessments? If so, please explain your experience.