Job Detail

Tree Care Specialist

Location: Gaithersburg, MD
Salary: 55,000 - 71,000

Description

The Department of Public Works is accepting applications for an experienced Tree Care Specialist to perform a variety of specialized tree care and maintenance duties as well as other routine Departmental maintenance, construction, and repair tasks as a member of the Department's Landscaping & Forestry Crew. The Landscaping & Forestry Crew maintains more than 91 properties, places over 800 yards of mulch, plants 150 trees, and trims more than 2,500 trees each year. You will be joining a hard-working and collaborative team committed to keeping the City beautiful and well-maintained and exceeding the expectations of our citizens and visitors to our community.

 

The Tree Care Specialist plays a vital role in maintaining and enhancing the health, safety, and aesthetic value of public trees within the community. The position requires utilizing specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities and performs a variety of tree care tasks to ensure the longevity and vitality of urban forests including routine inspections, pest control, pruning, planting, and removal of trees in accordance with municipal standards and environmental regulations. The Tree Care Specialist works closely with crew members, other City departments, and the public to ensure urban forestry initiatives support sustainable growth and community well-being.

 

Candidates must have at least three years of related experience in tree care and maintenance, including previous experience using aerial lifts (bucket trucks), chainsaws, and other equipment typically used for tree care, pruning, and removal. Current ISA Certified Arborist credential and current Public Agency Application Certificate are preferred (required to be hired at Level II). You must possess a valid Class A CDL with Tanker Endorsement ("N") at the time of hire or be eligible and agree to obtain your Class A CDL with Tanker Endorsement within 12 months of your hire date as a condition of your employment. Training/equipment to assist you in meeting this requirement will be offered, and testing and licensing costs are paid for by the City.

 

40 hours per week; 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Some evening, weekend, and holiday work may be required. The position may be filled at the Tree Care Specialist I or II level, depending on qualifications. Starting salary is negotiable within the anticipated target hiring range (see below) and will be offered at a level consistent with the experience, qualifications, and certifications of the candidate.

Tree Care Specialist I - $55,000 - $63,000

Tree Care Specialist II - $63,000 - $71,000

 

We provide comprehensive insurance benefits (medical, dental, vision, long-term care, life); paid time off; generous retirement contributions; tools to assist with paying down student loan debt and managing student loans; excellent work/life balance; and opportunities for professional growth and career progression.

Job Functions

What you will do with us:

• Assist in conducting regular inspections of public trees to assess health, stability, and safety concerns.
• Assist in inspecting trees for signs of disease, pest infestations, structural defects, and environmental stress, and implement treatment plans.
• Assist in pruning, trimming, and removal of trees using appropriate tools and techniques to promote tree health and public safety.
• Assist in clearing fallen trees from roads, trails, and public access areas.
• Assist in planting and maintaining new trees in designated public areas following City guidelines and environmental best practices.
• Assist in maintaining accurate records of tree maintenance activities, inspections, and work orders.
• Collaborate with crew leader and other City departments and contractors to coordinate tree care projects and emergency response efforts.
• Ensure compliance with all safety protocols and environmental regulations during all tree care operations.
• Perform routine groundskeeping and landscaping duties including but not limited to planting, maintaining and watering shrubs and flowers; median beautification; weed and litter control; mulching and edging; mowing and trimming grass; leaf raking/collection; loading and unloading materials and equipment; and picking up/collecting trash from public areas.
• Monitor and inspect work in progress to assure conformance with instructions and to ensure work time schedules and quality standards are being met.
• Operate equipment related to tree care operations, including bucket trucks, chippers, various pole saws/pruners, and various size chainsaws, and other equipment related to landscaping duties; supervise and monitor proper care and maintenance of all tools and equipment; report needs for equipment repairs and maintenance.
• Lead and/or participate in snow and ice removal efforts. 
• May lead special work assignments.
• Serve as initial contact person during emergencies occurring during off duty hours.
• Provide excellent service, pursue continuous improvement, and exceed expectations.

Key responsibilities are outlined above; please click here to view the complete classification description for the Tree Care Specialist position. The classification description indicates the full salary range established for this position to provide opportunity for growth and development (Grade 302 in the City's FY 2026 Schedule of Salary Ranges).

Qualifications

What you will need to be considered:

• At least 18 years of age; high school diploma or equivalent.
• At least three years of professional experience in the tree care industry, with specific knowledge of proper tree pruning and care procedures, previous experience using aerial lifts (bucket trucks), and previous progressive experience with chainsaw uses and maintenance (at least five years of relevant experience to be hired at Level II).
• Knowledge of ANSI A300 Tree Care Standards and ANSI Z133 Safety Requirements for Arboricultural Operations.
• Valid driver's license and a good driving record (Class A CDL with tanker endorsement [“N”] required upon hire or must acquire within 12 months).
• Current ISA Certified Arborist credential (Level I – preferred; Level II – required).
• Current Public Agency Applicator Certificate (Level I – preferred; Level II required).
• A valid, unexpired Medical Examiner's Certificate/DOT physical card (may be obtained during pre-employment medical examination and must be maintained throughout employment).
• Ability to safely operate tools and equipment typically used in tree care and maintenance, mowers, trimmers, and other maintenance and repair equipment.
• Be hard working, dependable, responsible, punctual, and safety conscious and able to delivery excellent customer service with a positive attitude.
• Ability to work cooperatively with others and contribute to a successful team effort.
• Ability to perform moderate to heavy manual labor over extended periods of time, possibly under adverse weather conditions.
• Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English to follow safety precautions and work procedures.
• Ability to work from ladders, scaffolding, and aerial/bucket lifts from various heights and/or in confined spaces.
• Ability to work weekends, holidays, and overtime when required; and to return to work when designated to be on call for emergency situations or repair work and/or snow and ice removal.
• Or any acceptable equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to satisfactorily perform job duties and responsibilities.

Additional Information

Interested applicants must submit an online application to be considered.

 

Review of applications will begin immediately, so prompt application is strongly encouraged. Position will remain open until filled; recruitment will close without notice when a sufficient number of qualified applicants are identified or all hiring decisions have been made.

 

This position is non-exempt which means an individual in the Tree Care Specialist position is eligible for overtime compensation under the provision of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the City's personnel regulations. Direct deposit of paychecks is a condition for all City of Gaithersburg employees.

 

Successful candidates will be subject to a pre-employment criminal background investigation and medical examination including drug/alcohol screening. The City has established an alcohol-free, drug-free, and smoke-free workplace which applies to any person employed by, conducting business with, or applying for a position with the City. Each employee, as a condition of their employment, may be required to participate in pre-employment and reasonable suspicion testing. Employees classified as safety sensitive are also subject to immediate post accident and random testing.

 

For more information about the position, contact the Department of Public Works at 301.258.6370 or [email protected]. Questions regarding the online application process may be directed to the Department of Human Resources at 301.258.6327 or [email protected].

This recruitment will establish an eligibility list which will be used to fill the current vacancy and may be used to fill other openings in this classification which occur in the next 12 months.

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