Arborist - Department of Transportation

Job Description:

Arborist - Department of Transportation

Description

Our diverse and inclusive workforce of more than 7,000 employees play a key role in the success of San José, the heart of the Silicon Valley. All City of San José employees work together as one team to make San José a vibrant, innovative, and desirable place to live and work. Visit here to learn more about our One Team Leadership Values and Expectations, including quality and excellent customer service and here to learn more about San José.

The City of San José is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of San José is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at 408-535-1285, 711 (TTY) , or via email at CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov .

About the Department

The Department of Transportation (DOT) plans, develops, operates, and maintains transportation facilities, services, and related systems which contribute to the livability and economic health of the City. We comprise a team of more than 500 people ready to serve the needs of our residents to improve the efficiency and safety of San José streets. We are an energetic and innovative team that is improving transportation in one of the nation’s largest cities, while focusing on safety, sustainability, and active public life! For more information about DOT, visit www.sanjoseca.gov/transportation.

Position Duties

The Department of Transportation is currently seeking to fill 1 vacancy for the Arborist position. If you are interested in employment in these classifications, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

The City of San Jose Department of Transportation (DOT) is recruiting for highly motivated, technically skilled, public/community service-minded individuals to serve as the Arborist. This position performs work of routine difficulty in assisting with the coordination and implementation of the City's Street Tree, Maintenance Assessment Districts, and Median Landscape Programs. The Arborist is responsible for the daily supervision of technicians, developing and implementing policies and practices that advance the goals of the City's Community Forest Strategic Framework and ensuring compliance with the sections of the City's Municipal Code as it relates to street trees and hardscapes in the public right-of-way. The Arborist works closely with internal management, administrative, inspection, engineering, and maintenance staff, and has extensive engagement with the public and many other stakeholders.

Key tasks and responsibilities may include but are limited to:

• Assists in planning, developing and coordinating the preparation of City trees, public right of way trees, and maintenance contracts.
• Assists in the planning, developing and coordinating of the City's public right of way programs, for median trees, and risk, insect and disease control.
• Coordinates tree trimming activities with appropriate City Departments and other public agencies (i.e. PG&E and CALTRANS).
• Consults with public and private contractors on development landscape projects. This includes plan review for new and redevelopment projects by enforcing Citywide Design Standards and tree protection.
• Responds to inquiries regarding tree concerns from citizens and from other City departments.
• Administers routine contractual work on trimming and removing trees.
• Prepares contracts for subdivision tree planting, and trimming of young and mature trees.
• Develops and manages budgets for various sections within DOT.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Successful completion of advanced undergraduate course work in landscape architecture, forestry, park management, or related fields.

Experience: Three (3) years of experience in a tree planting and maintenance activity similar to a Municipal Street Tree Program.

LICENSES OR CERTIFICATES: Possession of a valid State of California’s driver’s license is required. Selected candidates will be required to submit a DMV Release of Driver Record Information form at the time of conditional offer and will be enrolled in the DMV Employer Pull Notice (EPN) Program. Refusal to do so will be considered withdrawing from the recruitment process.

Form 700 Requirement: This position requires a disclosure of outside investments, real property interest, income, and business positions. You must complete and file an “Assuming Office Form 700” with the City Clerk’s Office within the first 30 days of employment with the office.

Other Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history.

Job Expertise: Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations.

Communication Skills: Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills and displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.

Constructive Energies: A demonstration of energy and drive that comes from within, and a willingness to approach all aspects of work with a generally positive attitude; possessing the inclination to take appropriate action rather than waiting to be told what to do; examples of Constructive Energies include but are not limited to: enthusiasm, honesty, integrity, empathy, dedication, reliable, proactive, respectful, confidence, ethical, and a willingness to help others

Customer Service: Demonstrates the ability to anticipate customers' needs and deliver services effectively and efficiently using professional demeanor.

Leadership: Leads by example; demonstrates high ethical standards; remains visible and approachable and interacts with others on a regular basis; promotes a cooperative work environment, allowing others to learn from mistakes; provides motivational supports and direction.

Political Skills: In taking action, demonstrates an understanding and consideration of how it will impact stakeholders and affected areas in the organization.

Project Management: Ensures support for projects and implements agency goals and strategic objectives.

Conflict Management: Uses appropriate interpersonal styles and methods to reduce tension or conflict between two or more people, by presenting the facts, analysis, and conclusions or solutions that show command of content and perspectives and interests of the audience.

Problem Solving: Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue; determines the significance of problem; collects information; uses logic and intuition to arrive at decisions or solutions to problems that achieve the desired outcome.

Social Awareness: Demonstrates the ability to read or sense other people’s emotions and how they influence the situation of interest or concern; demonstrates empathy and organizational awareness.

Selection Process
The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to all the job specific questions. You must answer all questions to be considered, or your application may be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses. Please be advised that use of AI content in your responses may result in your removal from the hiring process. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews

Submission of a resume is optional. However, submission of a resume in lieu of completing the education and work experience sections on the application or failing to answer all the questions will constitute an incomplete application and it will be withheld from further consideration.

If selected, the Conditional Offer of Employment may be contingent upon you providing proof of a valid State of California driver’s license, and an assessment of your California DMV Employer Pull Notice (EPN) as per the DMV Release of Driver Record Information form. Failure to pass the DMV Pull Notice assessment will deem you ineligible for employment.

If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Jasmine Medrano at jasmine.medrano@sanjoseca.gov.

Additional Information:

Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

You must answer all job-specific questions to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses.

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application. If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov and we will research the status of your application.

AI and the Hiring Process

We recognize that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming part of daily life and can be a valuable tool for learning, research, and professional growth. We encourage candidates to use AI responsibly as a support in preparing application materials, live assessments, and interviews. However, we value authenticity, accuracy and truthfulness. Application responses and interview answers must reflect your own knowledge, skills, and experiences. While AI can supplement preparation, it cannot replace the originality and judgment we look for in our employees. This ensures fairness, transparency, and equity for all applicants in the hiring process.

The City of San Jose offers a wide range of core health benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Disability, and Savings Plans. Please visit the City's benefits pagefor detailed information on coverage, cost, and dependent coverage.

For information on the City’s Retirement Plan(pension for full-time employees), please visit the Office of Retirement Services website. You will be able to view information based on different Sworn/Federated job classification.

In additional to the benefits above, there is an additional perks siteto explore further benefits of working for the City of San Jose like paid leave, educational reimbursements, and holiday pay are specific to the job classification and union membership.

Closing Date/Time: 12/19/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$130,472.16 - $158,951.52 Annually