TREE SURGEON 3114 (REV 09-29-26)

DUTIES

ANNUAL SALARY

$62,305 to $91,078

NOTES:

Annual salary is at the start of the pay range. The current salary range is subject to change. Please confirm the starting salary with the hiring department before accepting a job offer.

A Tree Surgeon climbs, prunes, trims, treats, sprays, plants, fertilizes, transplants and removes trees along City streets and highways, in City parks, over or on private property, and on public grounds to eliminate hazardous conditions; prevent interference with traffic, traffic signals; and to preserve and maintain the trees.

WHERE TO APPLY & APPLICATION DEADLINE

Applications will only be accepted on-line on the dates listed in the “Application Deadline” section of this bulletin. When you are viewing the on-line job bulletin of your choice, simply scroll to the top of the page and select the “Apply” icon. On-line job bulletins are also available at .

NOTE:

Applicants are urged to apply early to ensure you have time to resolve any technical issues you may encounter.

Applications will only be accepted on-line on the dates listed below:

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2026 to THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2026.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 13, 2027 and THURSDAY, AUGUST 26, 2027.

The examination may close without prior notice at any time after a sufficient number of applications have been received. Filing periods may change without prior notice or additional dates may be added, as needed, at a later date. For administrative purposes, filing will close periodically and reopen on the dates noted in the “Application Deadline” section of this bulletin.

In accordance with Civil Service Rule 4.2, all applicants who apply may not be tested in this examination. To meet anticipated hiring needs, only a limited number of qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the selection process in the following order: 1) Los Angeles City Promotional applicants who meet the minimum requirements. You must have received a regular appointment to a City position or be on a reserve list to apply for this examination as a promotional candidate; 2) Applicants currently employed by the City of Los Angeles on a part-time or exempt basis who meet the minimum requirements; 3) Remaining applicants who meet the minimum requirements in sufficient numbers to meet hiring needs based on a random sampling of those qualified candidates. Applicants not selected to be tested may re-apply in a subsequent filing period in order to be considered for that filing period’s selection process.

SELECTION PROCESS

Examination Weight:  

Performance Test............................100%

The examination will consist entirely of a performance test. In the performance test, the following competencies may be evaluated: Physical Capability; Follow Oral Directions; Follow Written Directions; Safety Focus, including knowledge of: safety practices related to tree work, work practices used when completing tree work, characteristics of rope, such as breaking strengths, sizes, types, and working loads, tools used to clean up work areas, the safe and proper use of tools and equipment used to perform tree trimming work, the proper storage and maintenance of tools, gear, vehicles, and equipment; Job Knowledge, including the knowledge of: tree species and characteristics common to the rights-of-way, parks, and open spaces, tree trimming and removal procedures; and other necessary skills, knowledge and abilities.

Additional job analysis information can be obtained by going to  and clicking on Competencies under Tree Surgeon.

Candidates will be notified later by e-mail of the date, time, and location of the performance test, which will be held in Los Angeles.

For candidates who apply between FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2026 and THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2026, it is anticipated that the performance test will begin during the period of MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2026 to FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2026.

For candidates who apply between FRIDAY, AUGUST 13, 2027 and THURSDAY, AUGUST 26, 2027, it is anticipated that the performance test will begin during the period of MONDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2027 to FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2027.

Safety Information

1. A harness will be provided by the City. However, candidates who wish to do so may bring their own harness, provided it is an approved tree climbing saddle.

2. In the performance test, candidates will be required to demonstrate, while on the ground, the ability to tie various knots and hitches. If candidates are unable to tie the required knots and hitches properly in two attempts, they will not be permitted to continue and will have failed the performance test. This is done for the candidate’s personal safety. Candidates who tie the knots properly will be required to enter the tree and demonstrate working methods, as well as demonstrating other knots used in tree work. Candidates are required to wear boots proper for climbing a rope. No other shoes will be allowed. Candidates who cannot make this climb satisfactorily in two attempts will have failed the performance test.

NOTES:

1. This examination is based on a validation study.

2. As a covered entity under the Fair Employment and Housing Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and upon request, will provide reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. To request a disability accommodation, please complete the Disability Accommodation Form within 14 calendar days of the submittal of the City application. The Disability Accommodation Form can be obtained at .

3. Applications are accepted subject to review to ensure that minimum qualifications are met. Candidates may be disqualified at any time if it is determined that they do not possess the minimum qualifications stated on this bulletin.

4. Based on City policy, you may be required to undergo mandatory drug and alcohol testing prior to and during employment in this class.

5. You may be required to pass an annual or periodic work fitness evaluation to determine your eligibility for continued employment.

6. In conjunction with Civil Service Rules, applicants who have received a regular appointment to a City position or are on a reserve list will be considered Promotional candidates while all other applicants will be considered Open candidates.

7. The promotional list will ordinarily be used ahead of the open competitive list. However, if open competitive candidates receive a higher score, without military credits, than the highest available promotional candidate, after adding 0.25 of a point seniority credit for each year of continuous classified service, the Civil Service Commission, upon request of the appointing authority may approve certification of such open competitive candidates ahead of the promotional candidates.

8. A final average score of 70% is required to be placed on the eligible list.

9. You may take this examination only once every 365 days. Your name may be removed from the employment list after 365 days. If you have taken the Tree Surgeon test within the last 12 months, you may not file for this examination at this time.

10. In accordance with Civil Service Rule, Sec. 4.24, review periods may be combined. Candidates in the examination process may file protests as provided in Sec. 4.20, 4.22 and 4.23 as applicable and within the required time frame; however, the Personnel Department may respond to and resolve protests prior to the establishment of the eligible list.

Notice:

If you receive and accept an offer of employment to a regular position with the City of Los Angeles, your employee benefit coverage (including health and dental coverage as well as life insurance) will commence approximately six weeks after your original regular appointment. Not all positions in the City receive benefit coverage; you should inquire regarding the availability of employee benefits prior to accepting a position. All City employees are required to be Disaster Service Workers.

The City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, creed, color, ancestry, medical condition (cancer), or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

For additional information and FAQs regarding the City's hiring process, please go to: 

Qualifications

REQUIREMENT(S)/MINIMUM QUALIFICATION(S):

• One year of full-time paid experience with the City of Los Angeles as a Tree Surgeon Assistant or in a class at that level performing tree trimming or treatment work
• or
• One year of full-time paid experience as a tree surgeon, which includes climbing trees using spurs, climbers, ropes and safety belts and using power saws, aerial lifts, power winches, booms or similar equipment

PROCESS NOTES:

Work for Warriors is a no-cost employment program of the California Military Department for Service Members, Veterans, and military family members. The Veteran Staffing Consultant for City of Los Angeles is Damon Oliver.