Apprentice Tree Pruning Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

JOB LOCATION
13645 E Ellsworth Ave Aurora, Colorado 80012-1331
City of Aurora, Colorado
It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we're growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of: Integrity, Respect, Professionalism, and Customer Service, and we welcome all who share these values to apply.
Why Work for Aurora?

• Make a difference in the lives of real people every day
• Diverse community
• Competitive total compensation package
• Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan
• Light rail station minutes away
• On-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement
• Access to innovation workspaces

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Are you looking to branch out into a rewarding outdoor career where you can learn valuable, lifelong skills? The Forestry Program within the Park, Recreation, and Open Space Department invites you to join our team as an Apprentice Tree Climber. Through our structured Apprenticeship Development Program, you will receive hands-on, on-the-job training while working directly alongside our experienced forestry crew. This entry-level role is perfect for motivated individuals, as no prior experience is required to start your journey in the green industry. You will play a vital role in maintaining the beauty and safety of our community by pruning trees, operating essential ground machinery, and assisting with storm response. As you master new arborist techniques and competencies, you will be evaluated periodically for step-by-step skill enhancement and long-term career growth. We provide the tools, safety training, and supportive environment you need to succeed, including assistance in obtaining your Commercial Driver's License and CPR certifications. Turn your passion for the outdoors into a fulfilling career and grow with us today.
The deadline to submit applications is June 20, 2026. Please note that the City of Aurora will conduct ongoing screenings of applications on a first-come, first-served basis; as soon as we determine that we have a qualified pool of applicants, this position may close quickly and without notice.
The hiring range for this role is $15.58 - $19.47/hour.
Salary to be commensurate with experience.
This is classified as VHBE (Variable Hour Benefit Eligible), where the selected candidate can work up to 40 hours per week. The selected candidate will be eligible to elect Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits, accrue paid time off, and receive 11 paid holidays.
Position overview:
The Forestry Program within the Park, Recreation, and Open Space Department offers an Apprenticeship Development Program designed to help candidates build skills and gain experience through on-the-job training. Participants work directly with the forestry crew to develop practical, hands-on skills. This is a step-by-step skill-enhancement program in which employees are evaluated periodically based on the competencies they achieve within defined timeframes, preparing them for long-term careers in the green industry
PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Follows directives of technicians and lead workers on daily assignments
• Prunes, grinds stumps, plants, and waters trees under supervision
• Operates machinery needed in ground operations for tree maintenance
• Educates and explains forestry standards of street tree maintenance to citizens
• Serves as crew leader on volunteer work projects
• Maintains equipment for daily use
• Performs 24-hour emergency storm response and snow removal duties in coordination with other departments
• Maintains a safe working environment
• Performs additional duties as assigned
• This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS
An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.
Education:

• High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent

Experience:

• Entry-level position; prior work experience is not required

Preferred Experience:

• Experience working on a team
• Customer service experience
• Experience working in the green industries
• Experience operating forestry tools and equipment

Or

• College-level education in horticulture, natural resources, arboriculture, forestry, or related field

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of hazard identification and safety practices common to tree maintenance operations
• Knowledge of hand tools and their uses
• Knowledge of the principles and techniques of job site safety and maintaining a safe workspace

Skills:

• Skill in learning new techniques and procedures related to tree care and equipment use
• Skill in adapting to changing work conditions, including weather and job site environments
• Skill in the safe use of basic hand tools (e.g., saws, pruners, hand tools), or ability to quickly learn their proper use
• Skill in following instructions to complete manual tasks accurately and efficiently
• Skill in basic equipment handling and care, including cleaning and organizing tools

Abilities:

• Ability to coordinate activities with other crew members and contribute to a team
• Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with employees, managers, and the community
• Ability to follow established safety procedures and use protective equipment
• Ability to operate equipment including chippers, chainsaws, and other hand tools
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Ability to learn technical material quickly and apply lessons consistently
• Ability to learn and carry out arborist techniques requiring sustained outdoor physical activity

Licenses, Training, and Certifications Required:

• Valid driver's license and ability to operate a city vehicle
• Class B Colorado Commercial Driver's License or the ability to obtain within 6 months
• CPR and First Aid certification or ability to obtain within 6 months

WORKING CONDITIONS
Essential Personnel:
When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the city, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel.
Physical Demands:

• Moderate to heavy physical work requiring the ability to frequently lift up to 50 pounds with or without assistance and carry objects weighing up to 50 pounds
• Frequent walking and standing
• Frequent activities requiring a full range of body motion including pushing, pulling, bending, stooping/crouching, and climbing
• Requires continuous hand/eye and hand/foot coordination for operation of equipment and vehicles
• Ability to review and interpret reports and other written documents with or without reasonable accommodation
• Ability to communicate with employees, contractors, and residents in field environments, with or without reasonable accommodation

Work Environment:

• Works both indoors and outdoors with exposure to all weather conditions, noise, fumes, dust, and chemicals

Equipment Used:

• Aerial Lift
• Chip truck and chipper combination
• Water truck
• Tandem axle snowplows and dump trucks
• 1 ton dump trucks
• Snow blowers and truck mounted snowplows
• Chainsaws
• Hand tools and power tools
• Stump grinder
• Computers and typical MS Office software
• This position may require the incumbent to use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment.

The city of Aurora will implement furlough days (unpaid days off) for most employees in 2026. The scheduled furlough dates are January 16, April 10, July 2, and December 24.
For Veterans preference: Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application.
The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer. We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants. It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission.
Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug-free workplace. A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired.
Drug Testing, Thorough Criminal Background Check, and Employment References:
As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check.
Applicants selected for safety-sensitive positions are required to complete and pass a drug screening as a condition of employment. Safety sensitive positions include Civil Service positions within Police and Fire Departments and positions where their job responsibilities have direct and substantial responsibility that would impact the health and safety of others.
Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies.