City of Somerville
Tree Surgeon/ Special Heavy Motor Equipment Operator/ Public Works Laborer
City of Somerville, Somerville, Massachusetts, us, 02145
Tree Surgeon / Special Heavy Motor Equipment Operator / Public Works Laborer
Performs a variety of skilled and semi-skilled tasks in the maintenance, repair and care of trees and shrubbery. Climbs trees and performs maintenance work such as preventing or repairing limb or trunk fractures by wiring or placing tree rods as needed. Performs trimming, shaping and cutting of trees and shrubbery and removes dead, dying, or hazardous trees as well as grinding stumps. Operates power saws and a range of other tools and equipment including bucket trucks and aerial devices, and operates heavy motor equipment safely in order to complete assigned work.
Responsibilities
Loads and unloads trucks; picks up and hauls material, plows and sands highways; greases, oils and cleans equipment.
Performs unskilled labor duties such as digging holes, trenches, shoveling materials and leveling areas; loading/unloading materials; clearing litter and debris from streets, runways, parking lots.
Mows grass, trims shrubs and small trees using hand or powered equipment; removes snow/ice using manual or small powered equipment; spreads sand on icy areas.
Uses small hand tools, including shovels, picks, axes, saws, heavy wrenches and small power tools.
Operates heavy motor equipment in a proper and safe manner to perform all assigned work.
Performs all other duties that may be assigned.
Qualifications
Associate degree in arboriculture or related field and at least two years of experience working with trees, either as a tree climber or working in an aerial lift. Applicants with a high school diploma/GED and minimum four years of experience in the tree‑care industry, preferably as a tree crew member, will be considered.
ISA Certified Tree Worker Aerial Lift Specialist preferred; certification required within one year of employment.
Current training in aerial rescue, CPR, and first aid preferred.
Ability to receive and interpret written and oral instructions and to provide written and oral reports to supervisors.
Ability to prune, brace, cut and fell trees consistent with ANSI Z133 standards.
Ability to identify trees by species and to recognize hazard defects of trees, ensuring public safety.
Ability to inspect for pests and diseases such as Emerald Ash Borer and Asian Long‑Horned Beetle.
Must be in good health, dependable, and able to perform hard physical work; position requires ability to work extended hours and respond to emergency situations.
Must possess a current valid Massachusetts Class B CDL; Hoisting 2B license required within 120 days.
Must have a safe driving record.
Work Environment This position primarily works outside in all types of weather, including snow, inclement weather, freezing temperatures, and microbursts. Duties include frequent exposure to noise and hazardous conditions such as working at heights and exposure to high‑voltage sources. The job requires agility and physical strength to move in or around trees while operating hand and power tools and equipment. Extreme care and adherence to established safety precautions are required at all times. This position responds to emergency tree hazard situations and may be required to work extended hours as deemed necessary.
Physical and Mental Requirements Employees are frequently required to bend, crawl, sit, talk, move about, hear, and speak. Work may occur in restricted spaces or under difficult access conditions. Noise level may be high when operating power equipment. Employees may need to lift or move up to 50 pounds and greater than 50 pounds using appropriate equipment. Employee is required to use safety equipment appropriately to prevent injury.
Motor skills include written and oral communication; reading and interpreting data, information, and documents; analyzing and solving problems; using math; observing scenarios; learning new skills; working under deadlines; and interacting with City staff.
Visual skills required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Hours and Salary Full‑time. Salary: $1,305.65 weekly plus benefits.
Union SMEU B
FLSA Status Non‑Exempt
Date Posted December 17th 2025
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement The City of Somerville is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability or any other protected category. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities free of charge, upon request. Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy at 617‑625‑6600 x 2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov.
Pre‑Employment Requirements for All Employees
MA Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) clearance.
Completion of Conflict‑of‑Interest Law Education training for municipal employees.
Overview of Total Rewards
4 weeks annual vacation for non‑union positions (union positions vary by contract).
Medical insurance through the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) – 80% of premium costs paid by City.
Dental coverage – low and high plans through Cigna.
Vision care through Vision Service Plan (VSP).
Long term disability through Sun Life.
Group and voluntary life insurance through Boston Mutual.
Health Care and Dependent Care flexible spending through Benefit Strategies.
Deferred compensation plans through a choice of three vendors.
Free, confidential services through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provided by E4Health.
Annual cancer screening & wellness release.
Somerville Retirement Pension System.
Tuition reimbursement.
MBTA pass program.
FREE Blue Bikes membership.
Eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).
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Responsibilities
Loads and unloads trucks; picks up and hauls material, plows and sands highways; greases, oils and cleans equipment.
Performs unskilled labor duties such as digging holes, trenches, shoveling materials and leveling areas; loading/unloading materials; clearing litter and debris from streets, runways, parking lots.
Mows grass, trims shrubs and small trees using hand or powered equipment; removes snow/ice using manual or small powered equipment; spreads sand on icy areas.
Uses small hand tools, including shovels, picks, axes, saws, heavy wrenches and small power tools.
Operates heavy motor equipment in a proper and safe manner to perform all assigned work.
Performs all other duties that may be assigned.
Qualifications
Associate degree in arboriculture or related field and at least two years of experience working with trees, either as a tree climber or working in an aerial lift. Applicants with a high school diploma/GED and minimum four years of experience in the tree‑care industry, preferably as a tree crew member, will be considered.
ISA Certified Tree Worker Aerial Lift Specialist preferred; certification required within one year of employment.
Current training in aerial rescue, CPR, and first aid preferred.
Ability to receive and interpret written and oral instructions and to provide written and oral reports to supervisors.
Ability to prune, brace, cut and fell trees consistent with ANSI Z133 standards.
Ability to identify trees by species and to recognize hazard defects of trees, ensuring public safety.
Ability to inspect for pests and diseases such as Emerald Ash Borer and Asian Long‑Horned Beetle.
Must be in good health, dependable, and able to perform hard physical work; position requires ability to work extended hours and respond to emergency situations.
Must possess a current valid Massachusetts Class B CDL; Hoisting 2B license required within 120 days.
Must have a safe driving record.
Work Environment This position primarily works outside in all types of weather, including snow, inclement weather, freezing temperatures, and microbursts. Duties include frequent exposure to noise and hazardous conditions such as working at heights and exposure to high‑voltage sources. The job requires agility and physical strength to move in or around trees while operating hand and power tools and equipment. Extreme care and adherence to established safety precautions are required at all times. This position responds to emergency tree hazard situations and may be required to work extended hours as deemed necessary.
Physical and Mental Requirements Employees are frequently required to bend, crawl, sit, talk, move about, hear, and speak. Work may occur in restricted spaces or under difficult access conditions. Noise level may be high when operating power equipment. Employees may need to lift or move up to 50 pounds and greater than 50 pounds using appropriate equipment. Employee is required to use safety equipment appropriately to prevent injury.
Motor skills include written and oral communication; reading and interpreting data, information, and documents; analyzing and solving problems; using math; observing scenarios; learning new skills; working under deadlines; and interacting with City staff.
Visual skills required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Hours and Salary Full‑time. Salary: $1,305.65 weekly plus benefits.
Union SMEU B
FLSA Status Non‑Exempt
Date Posted December 17th 2025
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement The City of Somerville is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability or any other protected category. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities free of charge, upon request. Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy at 617‑625‑6600 x 2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov.
Pre‑Employment Requirements for All Employees
MA Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) clearance.
Completion of Conflict‑of‑Interest Law Education training for municipal employees.
Overview of Total Rewards
4 weeks annual vacation for non‑union positions (union positions vary by contract).
Medical insurance through the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) – 80% of premium costs paid by City.
Dental coverage – low and high plans through Cigna.
Vision care through Vision Service Plan (VSP).
Long term disability through Sun Life.
Group and voluntary life insurance through Boston Mutual.
Health Care and Dependent Care flexible spending through Benefit Strategies.
Deferred compensation plans through a choice of three vendors.
Free, confidential services through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provided by E4Health.
Annual cancer screening & wellness release.
Somerville Retirement Pension System.
Tuition reimbursement.
MBTA pass program.
FREE Blue Bikes membership.
Eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).
#J-18808-Ljbffr