TREE MAINTENANCE WORKER 1 - Forestry

Salary: $19.75 - $27.91 Hourly
Location : City of Wichita Forestry Operations, KS
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: TREE MTCE WORKER 1 FORESTRY
Department: Parks and Recreation
Division: PARK Forestry and Maintenance
Opening Date: 10/09/2025
Closing Date: Continuous
Bargaining Unit: 2000


The City of Wichita is NOT an E-Verify Employer.

Distinguishing Features of Work
This is manual work caring for trees along street rights-of-way, in City parks, and on other City properties. Employees must use caution to avoid injury and damage to persons and property. Assignments and instructions are received from a working supervisor, and work is normally performed under close supervision.
The day and hours for this position: Monday-Friday 7:00am-3:30pm
Bargaining Unit: Service Employee's International (SEIU)
**Employee within the department or division shall be given first consideration**
**Posting may close at any time**

Examples of Work Performed

• Climbs trees, using rope and saddle, up to heights of 80' above the ground from the ground.
• Removes dead and dangerous trees; grubs and pulls out stumps.
• Provides recommendations for improvements in tree maintenance.
• Identifies hazardous trees and assists in or performs needed pruning or removal of trees.
• Prunes trees and removes dead and/or broken tree limbs from trees.
• Assists in job site cleanup, chipping brush, and in raking, sweeping, loading debris and logs on trucks.
• Operates tree-related equipment as needed.
• Maintains tree care equipment and tools.
• These examples are not intended to be all-inclusive.
• Other related duties may be assigned as needed.

Requirements of Work

• Some knowledge of tree care, of the methods and equipment used in pruning, trimming, topping, spraying and removing trees
• Knowledge of occupational hazards, safety precautions and ANZI Z133 standards
• Ability to become a qualified Line Clearance Tree Trimmer
• Ability to climb trees with rope and saddle up to heights of 80 ft. above the ground from the ground
• Ability to start, operate, stop, and carry chainsaws weighing up to 22 lbs. at a height of up to 80 ft. above the ground at a variety of angles and positions while working in a rope and saddle.
• Ability to tolerate equipment and machinery noise with the use of ear plugs or other hearing protection
• Ability to lift 100% of body weight as required to climb trees
• Ability to knot, accurately throw, and climb a half-inch rope up to heights of twenty feet using the foot lock and body thrust method
• Ability to operate a 26" hand saw.
• Ability to bend, squat, and twist as required to shovel soil from up to three feet below ground level.
• Ability to swing an ax accurately and effectively to chop at ground level.
• Ability to drag, pull, and carry up to 40 pounds of bulky tree debris as far as 50 feet and load same up to heights of eight feet using an ensilage or pitch fork.
• Ability to lift logs weighing up to 150 pounds with assistance of another worker.
• Ability to rake and sweep work site using lawn rake and push broom.
• Ability to work outdoors when inclement weather conditions exist, including after-hour emergencies
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with associates and the public.
• Possession of a valid Kansas class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with air brake endorsement
• An employee shall not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.

Experience and Training
Required experience and Training

• One year of experience in tree maintenance work.
• Ability to obtain Kansas class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with air brake endorsement within 6 months of employment. If you are a Canadian or Mexican citizen, you will be required to have or obtain a CDL from your home country.
• A valid driver's license.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need of a sponsorship.

Preferred Experience and Training

• Kansas class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with air brake endorsement
• One year experience climbing with a rope and saddle.

Please note that this position is part of a random drug testing pool, and employees are subject to random drug testing in accordance with company policies and applicable laws.
Offers of employment are contingent upon passing a pre-employment physical, including drug screening, and upon satisfactory evaluation of the results of a criminal record check.
Starting pay for current City employees will be determined by City of Wichita policy or applicable bargaining unit agreement.
Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws. Please find more information under the following links:
CITY OF WICHITA


FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE BENEFITS


1. VACATION - Most employees with less than five years employment earn 10 days of vacation per year. After five years, accrual rates increase at varying rates to varying maximums, depending on work schedule and/or union representation. Employees can accumulate and carry forward up to 240 hours each year.


2. HOLIDAYS - There are eleven paid holidays. Employees also receive one Personal Holiday that is granted after the first six months of employment.


3. SICK LEAVE - Sick leave accrual begins at one-half day per month. After five years, sick leave accruals are one work day per month. Employees can accumulate and carry forward all unused sick leave each year. Employees who use 24 hours (3 days) or less of sick leave in a calendar year earn a "Well Day." An additional "Well Day" can be earned following a year of perfect attendance.


4. HEALTH INSURANCE - UMR / United Healthcare provides two levels of medical and prescription drug plans. Both medical plan are PPOs and do not require selecting a physician or referrals for specialty care. Both medical plans include Teladoc virtual care (primary care/mental health benefits at no charge), Dario healthy living programs, and VSP Vision benefits. Pre-tax premium deductions are offered. The City contributes 80% of the premium cost towards medical, prescription drug and vision insurance.
5. DENTAL INSURANCE - Two Delta Dental plans are offered - Preferred and Traditional. The Delta Preferred plan requires using a dentist from a smaller network for a lower premium. The Delta Traditional plan allows use of any dentist, although benefits are higher using a dentist from the large Delta network. Benefits under both plans are the same (with the exception of some Orthodontic benefits) Pre-tax premium deductions are offered.
6.LIFE INSURANCE - Low-cost voluntary term life insurance is available. Employees pay one-third of the cost. The amount of Basic Life coverage is two times annual pay up to a determined maximum amount. Dependent coverage is available at $20,000 spouse / $10,000 child(ren) for an additional $0.14 per pay period. Accidental death and dismemberment coverage is included. The plan is through MetLife.
7.SUPPLEMENTAL LIFE - Additional voluntary employee-paid term life insurance is available from MetLife at low group rates. Participation in Basic Life is required. The Life Insurance plans are portable.
8. LONG-TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE- The voluntary employee-paid group disability plan from MetLife provides 60% of pre-disability income for injury or health related disabilities. Premiums are determined by income and age.


9.VOLUNTARY ACCIDENTAL DEATH & DISMEMBERMENT - Voluntary employee-paid AD&D from MetLife offers coverage for accidental death and dismemberment.


10.RETIREMENT - The City offers two retirement plans - Wichita Employees (WER) Plan 3, and Commissioned Police & Fire Plan C-79. The WER plan is a defined contribution plan; Police & Fire is a defined benefit plan. Both are contributory - employees and the City share the cost.


11.FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS - Employees may elect to make FSA pre-tax deductions for dependent care and/or unreimbursed medical expenses, reducing the cost of these expenses by eliminating taxes on the amount deducted.
12. LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE - This plan from UNUM offers facility and home care benefits for employees, spouses, and some other family members. Several options for benefit amount and duration, and specific plan features, are available.
13.MORE BENEFITS & SERVICES
Deferred Compensation Investment Program
Employee Discounts and Wichita Employee Association (WEA)
Bereavement Pay
Employee Emergency Assistance Fund
Voluntary Shared Leave Program
Training Programs
Longevity Pay
Credit Union
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Injury Leave (on-job injury)
Community Volunteer Events
01


I have the following years of tree maintenance work experience

• Less than 6 months of experience
• 6 months to 1 year experience
• 1 to 3 years' experience
• 4 to 6 years' experience
• +7 years experience
• I do not have tree maintenance work experience

02


I have following years of experience climbing with a rope and saddle.

• less than 1 year of experience
• 1 - 2 years of experience
• 3 - 4 years of experience
• 5 - 6 years of experience
• 7+ years of experience
• I do not have any experience climbing with a rope and saddle.

03


Describe your process for safely entering a tree.
04


Describe your process for safely lowering a limb out of a tree.
05


(6mo) This position requires a Class B CDL license with air brake endorsement. Please identify your current status with a Class B CDL license.

• I currently have an active Class A CDL.
• I currently have an active Class B CDL license with air break endorsements.
• I do not have a current Class B CDL license with air break endorsements, but am willing and able to obtain this license within the first 6-months of employment.
• I am not willing or able to obtain a Class B CDL license with air break endorsements within first 6-months of employment.

06


This position requires a CDL. If you are Canadian or Mexican citizen, you will be required to obtain a CDL from your home country to meet this requirement in addition to having valid employment authorization.

• I am a Canadian or Mexican citizen I have or can obtain a CDL from my home country to meet this requirement.
• I am a Canadian or Mexican citizen I do not or cannot obtain a CDL from my home country to meet this requirement.
• I am not a Canadian or Mexican citizen.

07


I have a valid driver's license.

• Yes
• No

08


I understand that this position will require me to work outdoors and I am willing and able to work under various weather conditions?

• yes
• no

09


I am legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

• Yes
• No

Required Question