Tree Trimmer

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is a national leader and innovator in the services and programs we provide to our residents who enjoy our public spaces such as parks, community centers, specialty gardens and swimming pools. Our mission is to equip employees and the public for well-being as we support healthy people, a thriving environment and vibrant community. We provide safe and accessible spaces for residents and visitors to work, recreate, rejuvenate and enhance quality of life and wellness for children, teenagers, adults and seniors.

Delivering excellent customer service to all is a core value.

Seattle Parks and Recreation commits to advancing equity and social justice in our department and in every neighborhood by growing a dynamic and diverse workforce, developing strong investments, growth opportunities and beneficial partner strategies as we acknowledge and pledge to close disparities created by historical practices which often hindered workforce development, environmental justice, access to quality open spaces, programs and facilities.

Under the Department of Natural Resources Unit in the Citywide Services Division, the Urban Forestry program oversees the stewardship of tree preservation, protection and enhancement of tree canopy development in nature and developed parks’ property. The bodies of work in Urban Forestry unit comprises of tree maintenance operations with priorities for public safety and accountability, tree inspection program, permit and capital project development works, inter-agency work relating to trees, tree planting, tree watering and young tree care establishment maintenance.

SPR Urban Forestry works and collaborates closely with city-wide agencies to maintain, develop and grow the city’s urban forest to provide the benefits of greenery equitably to communities and mitigate climate change.

SPR Urban Forestry is seeking well-qualified candidates to fill one full-time Tree Trimmer, position. SPR manages a 6,414-acre park system of over 485 developed parks and natural areas. The Tree Trimmer plays a key role in participating in the SPR tree crew to respond to tree emergencies such as storm response, work requests in pruning or any other hazard tree mitigation work within parks’ managed properties such as developed parks, natural areas, parks boulevards and areas of Right-of-way (ROW) that are under the maintenance responsibilities of SPR.

To be successful in this position, the candidate must have excellent customer service skills, value diversity equity and inclusion, have a passion for preserving and caring for trees, and be a good team-player to support crew members and interdepartmental needs. Other preferred skills are to have basic knowledge of tree risk assessment techniques, have experience working with storm-damaged trees, hazard tree felling and performing tree climbing and aerial tree work operations.

Candidates must have knowledge of the methods and equipment used in pruning and removing trees and knowledge of and adherence to American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards and applicable Washington Administrative Code (WAC) for tree care is required.

This is a separate posting from the Tree Trimmer Lead position and you will need to submit an application to  to be considered.

• Participates in the work of a tree crew.
• Prunes, and removes green belt, arterial, park, and street trees to provide public safety and maintain healthy trees.
• Climbs trees of varying heights using rope, saddles, spurs, ladders, or aerial hydraulic lift truck in order to safely prune or remove trees.
• Fells trees and salvages fallen timber, removes trees and stumps.
• Responds to emergency calls to remove damaged sections or entire trees.
• Maintains, inspects, and operates a variety of equipment such as hydraulic aerial lift trucks, hand and power saws, compressors, wood chippers, winches, blowers, and stump cutters.
• Weeds tree pits; fertilizes, waters, and prunes young trees; sprays or injects trees for insects, diseases, or weed control.
• Evaluates tree health for potential hazard to property and public safety.
• Performs other related duties of a comparable level/type as assigned.

One year experience in urban forestry, landscape maintenance, tree farming, or tree trimming which involves the use of safety harnesses, climbing equipment, aerial hydraulic lift trucks, rigging, and chain saws and includes the application of arboricultural…