Tree Planting Jobs in Silver Spring, MD (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $43,216.00 - $76,540.00 Annually
Location : Ft. Washington, MD
Job Type: Career
Job Number: 10612
Department: PGC Parks and Recreation
Opening Date: 08/18/2026
Closing Date: 9/2/2026 4:07 PM Eastern
Description
THIS IS RE-ADVERTISEMENT. PREVIOUS APPLICANTS NEED NOT REAPPLY.

• Do you have experience in Athletic Fields and are interested in joining an award-winning program to continue your professional growth?
• Are you a team player and enjoy working in a position with varied work responsibilities?
• Do you love sports and are interested in an opportunity improve athletic fields?

The Prince George's County Department of Parks and Recreation Southern Region Parks Division seeks an experienced Athletic Field Specialist-CDL (Principal Parks/Facilities Maintenance Worker-CDL) to work within our Athletic Field Program working in the Bock Road Maintenance Facility in Fort Washington, Maryland. This position will perform Athletic Field maintenance and renovation tasks in our parks throughout the southern portion of Prince Geore's County for community passive and active recreation to support our mission for healthy lifestyles for our community involving considerable responsibility, complexity, and variety. The successful candidate will perform a variety of athletic field management tasks such as mowing, lining, pest scouting and control, infield grooming, aeration, seeding, and nutrient management which may include equipment operations such as tractors, skid loaders, mowers, infield groomer, aerators, spreaders, sprayers, and other large equipment working in a team environment. This is the expert level in park/general maintenance work involving all types of equipment, difficult specialized assignments, and directing and training other workers in maintenance procedures and practices. The successful candidate will perform work of increasing difficulty and responsibility to develop and improve skills. Incumbents in this class are regularly given independent work assignments but may work as part of a group. Performs other related duties as assigned.
This position will have a work schedule of Tuesday-Saturday from 6:00 am - 2:45 pm but maybe subject to change based on program needs.
Please note that the above salary range represents earning potential. The budgeted salary range is $42,135 - $58,379.
All applicants to this job posting will be considered for this and future Park/General Maintenance Worker III - CDL job openings for 6 months or until all qualified candidates have been exhausted from this job posting, whichever comes first. At that time, a new job posting may be available for application to future openings.
Examples of Important Duties

• Operates trucks, truck and trailer combination, front-end loader, backhoe, dump trucks with plows, bucket trucks, trash trucks, and tank trucks, spreaders, and sprayers. Operates complex equipment and vehicles. Performs routine safety inspection and maintenance of vehicles and equipment.
• On a regular basis (more than 50% of the time), it provides general direction and instructions on proper procedures and safety to a small work group. Informs the Leader or Supervisor of job progress and completion and any problems requiring attention. May collect and/or enter data into daily reports and work order completion. Assists with training seasonal staff.
• Performs complex athletic field maintenance with large tractor operation with attachments to mow, aerate, seed, or fertilize athletic fields. Cuts and lays sod and other landscaping duties. Operates tree spade to plant trees, shrubs, and plants, according to established standards. Trims and prunes trees and shrubs.
• Operates large equipment which requires expert knowledge for athletic field renovation to include grading, soil modifications, sod installation, watering, nutrient management and pest control on both cool and warm season turfgrass.
• Inspects athletic fields for playground safety hazards, surface safety, and surrounding areas, develops work orders for improvements and approves completion of projects for detailed work involving sensitive measurements field layout per industry standards.
• Performs tree maintenance duties. Positions bucket truck and sets outriggers. Trims and fells trees. Operates chain saws. Operates ropes from ground level to assist Tree Climber in cutting down trees. Raises and lowers equipment. Lowers tree limbs with ropes. Operates chipping machine to grind brush into mulch. Operates stump grinder to remove tree stumps.
• Perform pest identification for Integrated Pest Management for organic and conventional pesticide applications and record keeping.
• Conducts Park inspections for safety and submits detailed reports to supervisor for maintenance prioritization and resource allocation. Inspections. Makes recommendations for Americans with Disability Act access improvements.
• Reports on unsafe or hazardous conditions of park facilities and amenities.
• Assists in setting up, monitoring, and taking down Commission programs and rental events. Inform visitors of rules and regulations. Opens and closes Commission facilities.
• Interacts with visitors daily in a courteous and effective manner.
• Snow removal and other related weather duties.

Important Work Characteristics:

• Considerable knowledge of work procedures, steps, tasks and techniques for standard (1) groundskeeping including turf and trail maintenance; (2) landscaping; (3) building maintenance; (4)
  safety techniques, procedures and requirements; (5) cleaning agents, procedures and equipment; (6) pesticide and fertilizer applications; (7) automobile and equipment maintenance; (8) basic methods
  and procedures for skilled trades support work (i.e., HVACR, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, masonry, painting, welding); and (9) Commission organization, policies and procedures.

*Knowledge is typically acquired or fully developed by on-the-job training in this job class.

• Skill and ability to (1) operate automotive and heavy power equipment including trucks, truck and trailer combinations, farm tractors with attachments, bucket trucks with attachments (plows, graders), trash trucks, dump trucks, tank trucks, bobcats, front-end loaders, tree spades, turf rollers, backhoes, dozers, and truck or vans with trailers; (2) apply pesticides and fertilizers requiring certification; (3) operate hand and power tools, chainsaws, and power saws, woodchippers, push and riding mowers, tractors with attachments, trucks or vans with trailers; (4) apply basic skilled trade practices safely and effectively; (5) operate various computerized software programs; (6) provide courteous service; and (7) perform First Aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED).
• Skill in problem solving to select, organize, and logically process relevant information (verbal, numerical, or abstract) to solve a problem. Examples include measuring dimensions for construction
  of flower beds; repairing picnic tables and fences; and selecting the appropriate attachments to rake, drag and grade athletic fields.
• Skill in communication to understand verbal and written information (including facts, descriptions and ideas) and to express such information so that others will understand. Examples include reading and writing routine reports and correspondence; understanding blueprints, plans, and diagrams; and explaining safety and work procedures to work crews.
• Interpersonal skills to interact effectively and establish and maintain effective working relationships as a member of a team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two years of experience in athletic field or grounds maintenance industry in relation to turf and infield maintenance, safety inspection, and renovation.
• Knowledge of technology to perform inspections and enter data into portable electronic equipment. Ability to use Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Experience with hand tools for athletic field maintenance include compact drills, wrenches, impact drills, heat tools, and pressure washers.

Minimum Qualifications

1. High school diploma or Certificate of General Educational Development (GED).
2. Four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in groundskeeping, building maintenance or park maintenance.
3. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total four (4) years.
4. Valid driver's license in accordance with both State and Commission rules and regulations. Driver's license must be unencumbered by restrictions, revocations, suspensions, or points that could limit the employee's ability to drive Commission vehicles or perform driving duties required of their position.
5. Pass Commission medical examination.
6. Depending upon the area of assignment, some positions in this class require within 12 months of hire (a) Commercial driver's license (CDL) with appropriate endorsements; (b) obtainment of certifications including:

Supplemental Information
Class/Specification: Principal Parks/Facilities Maintenance Worker III-CDL
Primarily works outside but may work inside on occasion or as assigned. May work weekends, evenings and holidays. Occasionally exposed to inclement weather, dirt, waste, odors, caustic chemicals, pesticides, wildlife and potentially harmful insects (e.g., bees, hornets, wasps) and plants (e.g., poison ivy). Ability to occasionally lift up to 100 pounds and regularly up to 50 pounds.
May be subject to medical, drug and alcohol testing. The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate a workplace culture of diversity, equity and inclusion without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other non-merit factor.
Applicants with Disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
If you require accommodations or special arrangements due to a qualifying disability, please notify the Recruitment & Selections Services Unit at the time of applications at or 301-454-1411
(Maryland Relay 7-1-1) M-NCPPC will make all efforts to reasonably accommodate you.
THE MARYLAND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING COMMISSION
2026 BENEFIT SUMMARY FOR MERIT SYSTEM EMPLOYEES
The following benefit summary is provided for informational purposes only and is not, nor should be construed as an employment agreement with the M-NCPPC, implied or actual. It is not all-inclusive and is subject to change. Benefits listed are extended to all Merit System employees of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). All plans are optional except the Defined Benefit and Long-Term Disability plans.
Eligibility
You have 45 days from your hire date to elect your benefits. Your coverage begins on the first of the month following receipt of your enrollment forms and required documentation.
Retirement Programs

• Defined Benefit Plan (Mandatory Participation) - Plan E excludes FOP members.

PlanEmployee ContributionPlan C9.5%* of base salary (FOP members only)Plan E4% of base salary up to maximum Social Security Wage Base (SSWB) and 8% in excess of SSWB.

• 457 (b) Plan (Optional) (Pre-tax and Roth)
• Traditional and Roth IRAs (Optional)
• Retiree Healthcare - Eligibility requires, at least 10 years of eligible service and continuous enrollment in M-NCPPC plans (or proof of continuous enrollment in comparable plans) during the 36 months immediately preceding your retirement date. Premium cost share based on years of service

Health Insurance Plans (FOP Members Pay 23% for Medical, Prescription and Dental and same as all other employees for Vision.) All other employees pay percentage below.*

• Medical
  • Kaiser Permanente Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) - (15%)
  • UnitedHealthcare Select Exclusive Provider Organization Health Plan (EPO) - (20%)
  • UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus Point of Service (POS) - (20%)
• Prescription - CVS Caremark - (15%)
• Dental - Delta Dental PPO and DeltaCare USA HMO - (20%)
• Vision - EyeMed - (80% of Low Option plan paid by Commission. Any balance paid by employee.)
  • Low, moderate, and high options are available. Frequency of covered services differs.

Flexible Spending Accounts (Employee Pays 100%)

• Medical Account - Maximum annual contribution: $3,300
• Dependent Care Account - Maximum annual contribution: $7,500

Long-Term Disability Insurance (Mandatory Participation)

• Employee Pays 20%: Commission Pays 80% (FOP Members Pay 100%)
• Benefits paid at 66 2/3% of base salary, maximum of $6,000/month

Supplemental Long-Term Disability Insurance (Employee Pays 100%)

• Benefits paid at 66 2/3% of base salary that exceeds $108,000; capped at $216,000

Basic Life and AD&D Insurance (Employee Pays 20%: Commission Pays 80%)

• Two (2) times base salary; maximum benefit is $200,000 for each
• Automatic coverage with opt-out provision

Supplemental and Spouse/Dependent Life Insurance (Employee Pays 100%)

• Supplemental - 1,2,3,4, or 5 times base salary; maximum benefit is $750,000
• Spouse/Dependent Combination - $10,000/$5,000, $20,000/$10,000, or $30,000/$15,000

Sick Leave Bank (Contribution and Benefit hours prorated for part-time employees)

• Employees have 60 days from date of hire to enroll.
• Employee contributes 8 leave hours each year
• Annually covers up to 688 hours for own serious medical condition, and 480 hours for parental responsibilities (birth, adoption or foster care), and 80-160 hours for serious medical condition of an immediate family member