Groundman Tree Service Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $2,787.20 - $3,390.40 Biweekly
Location : Carlsbad, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 08042026
Department: Parks & Recreation
Opening Date: 08/05/2026
The Position
Carlsbad - The Community: This nearly 40 square mile city is ideally situated in north San Diego County with an approximate population of 115,000. It offers a great climate, beautiful beaches, lagoons and abundant natural open space. World class resorts, family attractions, well planned neighborhoods, a diverse business sector and a charming village atmosphere combine to create the ideal California experience.
The Department: The department is the steward of approximately 450 acres of parkland, featuring community and historic parks, senior services, playgrounds, multigenerational facilities, aquatic centers, tennis courts and multiuse fields. Nearly 40 percent of the city is dedicated open space, and the department maintains approximately 40 linear miles of recreational trails.
The department is a leading provider of world class service, projects, programs and events that strengthen and build community connectivity. The department has a robust Capital Improvement Program, which includes projects for parks' retrofits, infills, and new developments.
The Position: The Tree Trimmer Lead worker will lead, oversee, and participate in the more complex and difficult work of staff responsible for City tree trimming, removal, and pruning services; to respond to emergency situations involving City trees; and to perform a variety of technical tasks relative to assigned areas of responsibility.
The Ideal Candidate: The ideal candidate will possess a positive attitude and a proven record of teamwork and cooperation. Parks employees must reflect Carlsbad's community and organizational values. Must be able to work on weekends and be willing to volunteer for after hours duty on a rotating basis. International Society of Arboriculture Certification is a plus.
You belong in Carlsbad
The City of Carlsbad embraces and recognizes the vital relationship of an inclusive, engaged work environment and innovative excellence. An equitable and inclusive work climate comprises personal experiences, values, and views shaped from differences of culture and circumstance. Our organization appreciates belonging, creativity, recognition and retention of its employees and is committed to hiring and developing motivated, productive and talented employees who provide services and enhance our quality of life. We work to embrace open and equitable access to opportunities for learning and development as our responsibility and goal.
Key Responsibilities

• Provide exemplary customer service to all individuals by demonstrating a willingness to be attentive, understanding, responsive, fair, courteous and respectful, and to actively participate in maintaining a positive customer service environment.
• Lead, plan, train, and review the work of staff responsible for tree trimming. removal, and pruning services; chip tree clippings as needed; clean work sites as needed.
• Ensure adherence to OSHA tree safety regulations; set-up and remove traffic and pedestrian safety devices as needed.
• Supervise the use of and operate tree trimming and removal, equipment including a chain saw, stump grinder, chipper grinder, root pruner, crane wench, loader, chipper truck, and aerial lift.
• Train assigned employees in their areas of work in tree trimming, removal, and pruning methods, techniques, and in the set up and use of equipment.
• and compliance with applicable standards and specification.
• Ensure the adherence to safe work practices and procedures.
• Maintain accurate records of daily work and tree trimming needs throughout the City.
• Respond to emergency situations involving City trees; remove fallen trees and clean surrounding grounds.
• Respond to public inquiries in a courteous manner; provide information within the area of assignment; resolve complaints in an efficient and timely manner.
• Estimate time, materials, and equipment required for jobs assigned; requisition materials as required.
• Assist in planting trees as needed.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

Qualifications
Knowledge of:

• Operations, services, and activities of a tree trimming, removal, and planting program.
• Principals of lead supervision and training
• Methods and techniques of tree trimming, removal and planting.
• Care, operation, and maintenance of a variety of mechanical equipment and power tools used in area of assigned work
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices necessary in area of assigned work

Ability to:

• Lead, organize, and review the work of staff in the area of assigned work
• Work independently, or with a crew, to perform and complete tree maintenance assignments
• Safely and effectively operate equipment used for tree climbing, trimming and removal.
• Observe possible safety hazards and react accordingly.
• Operate a variety of mechanical equipment and power tools in a safe and effective manner
• Work independently in the absence of supervision.
• Understand written and oral instructions.
• Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities which may include the following: walking, standing for extended periods of time.

Experience & Education
Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Three years of increasingly responsible experience in tree maintenance. Specialized training in tree maintenance.
Special Requirements:
The ability to obtain and maintain state and federally mandated requirements to operate assigned equipment and machinery and vehicles essential to the job.
Must possess sufficient strength and stamina to lift, carry and manipulate objects weighing up to 50 lbs. above the waist and to perform sustained heavy physical labor. Maintenance workers must be physically able to stand, stoop, bend, lift and maintain awkward body positions for prolonged periods of time. Must be willing to work outdoors in all weather conditions and with exposure to potentially hazardous conditions.

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Life Insurance
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• Retirement under the CalPERS program, 2% @ 62 formula, Classic Members (those who are enrolled in CalPERS at another local agency) have the 2% @ 60 formula
• Bilingual Pay
• Holidays - 11 scheduled
• Floating Holiday- 2
• Paid vacation
• Computer purchase loan
• Tuition reimbursement

A detailed list of our benefits can be found here:
Additional CalPERS information can be found here:
01
Initial in the box below that you acknowledge "see application" and "see resume" are not valid responses to the questions below.
02
What is your highest level of education?

• High School / GED
• Trade or Technical School
• Some College
• Associates
• Bachelors
• Masters or Higher
• None of the above

03
Regarding your education, indicate your area(s) of study in the space below. If you answered "None of the above," type N/A in the space below.
04
Please indicate the Driver's License class you currently possess.

• Class A
• Class B
• Class C
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05
Please list all relevant certifications / licenses you possess. If you do not possess any, type "NA"
06
How many years of experience do you have performing duties comparable to those of a Tree Trimmer?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year, but less than 3
• 3 or more years

07
Regarding the previous question, please explain your experience. If you selected "None", type "NA".
Required Question