TREE TRIMMER

Salary : $39,520.00 - $44,245.50 Annually
Location : Columbia, SC
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 202600267
Department: PUBLIC WORKS ADMINISTRATION
Division: FORESTRY & BEAUTIFICATION
Opening Date: 10/28/2026
Closing Date: 11/18/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Pay Grade: 105


Description


This position performs skilled and semi-skilled work involved in pruning and removing trees in City rights-of-way and on other City properties; and performs other work as required. The incumbent works according to some procedures but decides how or when to do things; work is reviewed regularly by supervisor.

The work is considered heavy in nature and involves constantly lifting, pushing or raising objects, exerting between 50 and 75 pounds of force on a recurring basis and over 100 pounds of force on a frequent basis. The work requires the following physical abilities to perform the essential job functions: balancing, climbing, crouching, feeling, fingering, grasping, handling, kneeling, lifting, mental acuity, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, stooping, talking, visual acuity, and walking.

Work environment may involve exposure to bright/dim light, dusts and pollen, extreme heat and/or cold, wet or humid conditions, extreme noise levels, vibration, traffic, moving machinery, electrical shock, heights; and involves heavy equipment and machinery that could result in bodily harm to co-workers or others.

Essential Job Functions

• Prunes or removes trees in City rights-of-way and on other properties as directed
• Drives and operates trucks and bucket truck; operates specialized tree felling equipment, small and large chain saws, wood chippers stump grinders and other tools and equipment as necessary to complete assigned duties
• Loads / unloads materials onto vehicles
• Cleans and removes debris from work sites
• Inspects equipment to ensure proper and safe working condition; reports defects or required maintenance to the supervisor
• Performs routine maintenance and cleaning of assigned tools and equipment
• Assists in providing instruction and leadership of lower-level crew members as assigned
• Performs all work in compliance with all policies and procedures and standards of quality and safety
• Attends training as required to enhance job knowledge and skills;
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements to Perform Work:

• High school diploma or GED
• Some relevant prior experience
• Valid South Carolina Class D Driver's License
• Be able to obtain South Carolina Class "B" Driver's License within one (1) year from the date of hire or promotion

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of addition and subtraction, multiplication and division, and/or calculating ratios, rates and percentages
• Ability to compare or inspect items against a standard
• Ability to provide information, guidance or assistance to people to directly facilitate task accomplishment; may give directions or assignments to helpers or assistants
• Ability to lead, operate or repair complex machinery or equipment that requires extended training and experience, such as tree felling equipment, heavy equipment, power tools, etc.
• Ability to perform skilled work involving rules/systems with almost constant problem-solving
• Ability to read routine sentences, instructions, regulations, procedures or work orders; writing routine sentences and completing routine job forms and incident reports; speaking routine sentences using proper grammar
• Ability to perform clerical, manual or technical tasks prescribed by standard practices but which may require computation, the use of several procedures, and the use of independent judgments with obvious choices; requires normal attention for accurate results;
• Ability to guide others, requiring frequent decisions affecting co-workers and others who depend on the service or product; works in a somewhat fluid environment with rules and procedures but with many variations from the routine.

The City of Columbia is proud to offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees. This package includes health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.

Part-time or temporary employees, including interns, are not eligible for City benefits.
To learn more details, visit our benefits page at:
01


Do you have a High School diploma or GED?

• Yes
• No

02


Do you have a valid Driver's License?

• Yes
• No

03


Do you currently have a Commercial Driver's License (CDL)?

• Yes
• No

04


How many years of relevant experience do you have?

• No experience
• Less than 1 year of experience
• Over 1 year but less than 2 years of experience
• Over 2 years but less than 3 years of experience
• Over 3 years but less than 5 years of experience
• Over 5 years of experience

05


Do you have at least one (1) year of experience operating Chainsaws and/or Chippers?

• Yes
• No

Required Question