Tree Trimmer / Arborist

Arborist / Tree Trimmer

Join our team as an Arborist / Tree Trimmer to help shape the future of Largo's urban forest. Are you passionate about preserving and enhancing green spaces? The City of Largo is seeking a dedicated Arborist / Tree Trimmer to join our Urban Forestry operations team. In this key role, you'll use your advanced arboriculture knowledge to care for our growing urban forest while mentoring Tree Trimmers and supporting complex projects in collaboration with our Arborist II.

What You'll Do :

• Perform expert-level tree care, pruning, removal, and planting
• Diagnose and address tree-related issues impacting public safety and aesthetics
• Ensure all work complies with local codes, safety standards, and best arboricultural practices
• Assist with training and guiding team members on techniques and safety procedures
• Support project planning and execution across the city's parks, streetscapes, and public areas

Starting Salaries :

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

All employees share components of leadership, management, technical, and team skills to assist in making the City of Largo the community of choice in Tampa Bay.

Leadership

Demonstrates an understanding and reflection of the City's mission, vision, and values and a commitment to achieve organizational goals aligned with the City's strategic plan.

Champions a high-performance work culture that encourages and embraces new ideas, develops individuals and welcomes and encourages diverse perspectives.

Articulates strategic and innovative thinking and provides clarity to deliver superior services.

Approaches the job with enthusiasm and curiosity to promote a solutions-oriented work culture.

Assists Arborist II in leading work and training Tree Trimmers.

Acts in a lead role in the absence of the Arborist II, overseeing the team's work and ensuring safety standards are met.

Management

Effectively manages assignments and priorities to ensure the fulfillment of projects, tasks, and responsibilities.

Adheres to ANSI A300 and Z133 industry standards to ensure proper tree care and safety practices.

Technical

Operates aerial lifts, bucket trucks, dump trucks, tractors, backhoes, brush chippers, chainsaws, and hand tools.

Performs Temporary Traffic Control when necessary.

Maintains trees in all City rights-of-way, parks, and other City properties to ensure safety, proper clearance, and visibility of roadways, sidewalks, streetlights, street signs, etc.

Ensures trees are properly pruned for good health and structure, identifies and mitigates tree hazards, trims, deadwood, and removes trees as necessary.

Utilizes email and work order software.

Trains new team members in proper tree care and maintenance.

Performs preventive maintenance on power tools, machinery, and equipment.

Performs emergency tree mitigation during non-working hours.

Performs training exercises : knots, ropes, rigging equipment and hardware, chainsaws, and other miscellaneous equipment.

Attends seminars and educational courses to maintain International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Arborist certification (30 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) required every three (3) years for re-certification).

Assists in the identification of a wide range of tree-related issues and helps develop effective plans to solve them.

Team Skills

Supports honest and transparent decision-making.

Collaborates with all team members in a way that builds upon ideas and takes personal accountability and ownership of projects, roles, and assignments.

Openly exhibits a positive attitude, in words and action, and encourages others to do the same.

Performs related work as required.

Emergency Response Status : As a condition of employment, City of Largo employees will be required to work as directed during an undeclared and / or a declared emergency. All employees are subject to recall around the clock for emergency response operations, which may require irregular work hours, work at locations other than the normal work location, and may include duties other than those specified in the official job description.

Minimum Qualifications :

Education and Experience : (Arborist)

Must possess and maintain certification through the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) as a Certified Arborist or five (5) years of experience in tree trimming or directly related experience or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Class B CDL required within six (6) months of hire.

Temporary Traffic Control (TTC) Certification is required within six (6) months of hire.

Education and Experience : (Tree Trimmer)

High school diploma or general education diploma (GED) and one (1) year of experience in arboriculture, landscaping, grounds maintenance, or directly related occupation; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

CDL Class B within six (6) months of hire.

Temporary Traffic Control (TTC) Certification within one (1) year of hire.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

Advanced knowledge of standard methods, materials, tools, and equipment used in arboriculture operations, including proficient use of saws and other standard tools.

Knowledge of occupational hazards, ANSI Standards, and Best Management Practices of tree care.

Ability to communicate effectively with citizens, explaining work objectives in a courteous, confident, and tactful manner.

Knowledge of tree biology, soils, fungi, pest identification, wood anatomy, wood decay, species identification, species profiles, tree hazards, pruning principals, plant health care, equipment operations, and intermediate arboricultural techniques.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

Work Environment : 10% inside a climate-controlled building and 90% outside, which may include driving.

Physical Requirements : The essential functions of the job require sitting approximately one (1) hour per day, standing approximately four (4) hours per day, and walking approximately three (3) hours per day. The work requires frequent bending / stooping, climbing, crawling, fine manipulations, grasping, kneeling, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, lifting / carrying of objects weighing up to 15 pounds, lifting / carrying of objects weighing 15 to 44 pounds; often requires lifting / carrying objects weighing 45 pounds and over.

Sensory Requirements : Hearing : Ability to understand what others are saying in normal conversation in person and on the telephone, and ability to detect specific noises and the proper equipment operation. Speaking : Ability to communicate orally with others in person and on the phone. Seeing : Ability to operate a motor vehicle, to cut, climb, and walk.

Driving Requirements : The work requires frequent driving and possession of a valid Florida Class "B" CDL Driver's License.

Technology : The work requires the ability to operate telephones, smartphones, tablets, desktop and laptop computers, calculators, and all associated software. The position also requires proficiency with computer hardware and software programs, including GIS and asset management software.

Important Information :

Yes - DRUG TESTING (Safety Sensitive)

No - CHILDCARE FINGERPRINTING

No - CREDIT CHECK

No - FDLE AND CJSTC SECURITY CLEARANCE : As mandated by the FDLE, CJSTC, and the Largo Police Department, this position may be subject to additional security clearances due to access to the police department facility or police department's electronic data.