Tree Maintenance Worker, Caltrans

Job Title and Compensation

Caltrans Tree Maintenance Worker – Salary $4,870.00 – $6,101.00 per month. New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or the minimum of the alternate range when applicable. Final filing date:
July 29, 2026.

Work assignments are within eight counties of the District and may require up to 80% travel from HQ station. Under a Caltrans Tree Maintenance Supervisor, the employee is responsible for tree maintenance on state highways and facilities, including climbing techniques or using a personnel hoist.

Duties include:

• Climbing trees exceeding 40 ft using ropes, spurs, safety belt and rigging.
• Trimming or removing limbs and branches, using power and hand saws, treating cut surfaces, and lowering cut limbs by line.
• Occasionally felling entire trees.
• Planting, cultivating and irrigating trees, cutting brush and weeds along right-of-way and in state facilities.
• Performing traffic control, operating aerial equipment and pneumatic/hydraulic tools, and operating a brush chipper to remove cut vegetation.
• Operating snow removal equipment and abrasive and salt‑spreading equipment.
• Operating and maintaining equipment assigned to the crew, requiring a Class C driver’s license (Class A or B desirable). Operations include passenger vehicles, pickups, vans, 1‑ton and up trucks, and heavy equipment such as mowers, graders, tractors, backhoes, forklifts, and snow‑removal specialists.
• Performing minor repairs, adjustments, emergency repairs, cleaning, and keeping documentation.
• Recording crew reports, pre‑ and post‑operative equipment checks, fuel purchases, and material usage.

Requires work in a wide range of weather including up to 120 °F heat, ‑15 °F cold, strong winds, rain, sleet, and snow. Must work a 4/10 schedule year round, and may be scheduled night shift in winter months. Up to 80 % of the year may involve per‑diem travel. Safety gear includes work boots, long sleeve shirts or safety vest, long pants, hard hat, safety glasses, hearing protection, face shields, gloves, respirator, chaps, or other gear as required.

Class C driver’s license, ability to lift up to 50 lbs, manual dexterity, willingness to travel extensively, and ability to perform duties in extreme weather conditions.

Experience with rope work, climbing, power tools, pesticide safety, basic mathematics, and driving Class B or A with endorsements P, H, N. Knowledge of cutting patterns, rigging procedures, and safe pesticide application.

Click to view the Benefits Summary for Civil Service Employees in the State of California.

California is an equal opportunity employer. The State supports a drug‑free workplace and encourages applicants to meet the obligations of the Civil Service rules.