The Position
***Filing Period Extended***
The filing deadline has been extended
Candidates that previously applied to this recruitment do not need to reapply
The City of Oakland is an equal opportunity employer that values workforce diversity, inclusion, and equity. Oakland has a long history of activism around issues of justice and equity. Both oppression and this resistance to oppression have shaped the city’s historical roots and the lives of its residents to this day. As public servants in one of the most diverse cities in the nation, we strive to develop employees who understand the harm and impacts of systemic inequity to create lasting, meaningful outcomes for everyone. Oakland strives to establish an environment that embraces the richness of culture, community, and individualism of employees.
Situated at the heart of the Bay Area, the City of Oakland is a vibrant, diverse, and exciting place to work. It is easily accessible, on the forefront of Race and Equity work, and a full-service organization with many innovative community services.
Why join the City of Oakland Public Works Department, Parks and Tree Division?The City of Oakland Public Works Department, Parks and Tree Division, is responsible for the maintenance of:
- Over 130 city parks and public grounds
- More than 2,300 acres of street, park, and plaza landscaping, including scenic Joaquin Miller Park and Lake Merritt
- 56,000 street trees citywide
Plus many other objectives outlined in Oakland’s Urban Forest Plan .
This is the best time to join our team! The Parks and Tree Division is currently recruiting to fill two (2) Tree Supervisor I vacancies due to internal promotions. Your unique experiences will be an important contribution to our success. The ideal candidate will have the skills to supervise a variety of tree maintenance duties, work collaboratively in a team setting, and be adaptable to work in challenging conditions such as responding to tree emergencies.
We are looking for someone who is: - An experienced lead/supervisor with advanced skills in tree maintenance work, including safety guidelines, supervising staff responsible for operating chainsaws, chippers, aerial lifts, knuckle boom cranes, and other heavy-duty equipment.
- Proficient in tree climbing methods and practices pertaining to trees, and laws to be successful in this role.
- Experienced at reading, interpreting and applying regulations, techniques, and safety rules related to tree maintenance work.
- Proficient with the use of technology, to generate computerized reports, complete data entry, follow-up on work assignments, and identify training needs.
- Able to address division goals.
- Effective at establishing and maintaining effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties.
- Accountable in planning, scheduling, training, and monitoring work, adapting to changing priorities, and problem-solving issues to ensure work completion.
What you will typically be responsible for: - Providing direction to assigned staff, answering questions, providing resources, and sharing team progress.
- Preparing daily and weekly work schedules for the staff in your zone.
- Supervising, training, counseling, and preparing and delivering performance evaluations for assigned staff and providing revisions to the entire division's performance plans as a second reviewer.
- Using City Works to plan, schedule, document, and strategize workflow with colleagues, including routine work and emergency response.
- Developing and executing special projects, including tree planting, root pruning, stump removal, and large tree removals.
Read the complete job description by clicking on the link below.
Tree Supervisor I
*Click on the link below to see a video on what it's like to work for the City of Oakland!
Working for the City of Oakland
A few reasons you might love this job: - You and your staff will be working outdoors in Oakland’s year-round moderate climate and beautiful landscape.
- You will directly contribute to Oakland’s environment, make a positive impact on residents’ quality of life, and help Oakland achieve its environmental equity goals.
- You will work in a team environment that is focused on supporting our employees' ability to do their best work.
A few challenges you might face in this job:- You will need to address citizen complaints regarding fallen trees and other tree-related service requests.
- You may face resource and staffing challenges that limit your operational capacity.
- You will need to be organized to keep up with reports, division budget changes, and keep track of numerous work assignments.
Competencies Required:Action & Results Focused (Taking Initiative): Initiating tasks and focusing on accomplishment
Adaptability: Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires
Delegating: Sharing responsibility, authority, and accountability
Displaying Ownership and Accountability: Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results.
Group Facilitation: Enabling constructive and productive group interaction
Managing Performance: Ensuring superior individual and group performance
Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job
Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability
Safety Focus: Showing vigilance and care in identifying and addressing health risks and safety hazards
Thinking & Acting Systematically: Formulating objectives and priorities, and implementing plans consistent with the long-term interests of the organization in a global environment
Using Technology: Working with electronic hardware and software applications
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing
Minimum Requirements for Application
This recruitment will produce two eligible lists. The restricted list will be for full-time, permanent part-time, or part-time City and Port of Oakland employees who meet the minimum qualifications. The open list will be for all other applicants who meet the minimum qualifications. Any combination of education and experience that is equivalent to the following minimum qualifications is acceptable
Education: High school diploma or equivalent. Eight (8) college units in forestry, horticulture, or botany must be obtained by the end of the probationary period. Six (6) units of supervisory courses are highly desirable.
NOTE: A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in arboriculture, horticulture, forestry, or botany may be substituted for two years of work experience.
Experience: Four (4) years of experience working as an arboriculturist, including two (2) years of experience in rope and saddle tree climbing techniques.
License or Certificate Requirements: Must obtain a valid California Driver's License, Class B, during the probationary period and maintain it throughout duration of employment with the City of Oakland.
Possession of a Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certificate must be obtained by the end of the probationary period.
Possession of certification as a Certified Arborist by the International Society of Arborists.
Other Requirements:Work irregular hours and shifts as needed.
Supplemental Information
The Recruitment Process:The City of Oakland works with a Civil Service system. Applicants apply online, and HR staff reviews their experience, education, and training listed on the application against the “minimum qualifications” listed for each position.
Candidates who demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements are then invited to participate in an assessment process (or testing) to measure their knowledge, skills, and abilities in job-related areas.
Candidates who do not demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements will have an opportunity to request a final review. Candidates must request a final review within 5 business days of being notified that they did not meet the minimum qualifications.
In the final review, candidates may clarify information already provided on their application. No additional work history, education, or certifications will be accepted. Any decisions made during this review process will be final.
For this recruitment, all qualified applicants will be invited to the structured interview (sometimes referred to as an Oral Exam). The tentative date of the structured interview is the week of January 8, 2024.
For some recruitments, more than one type of assessment may be used. Depending on the number of candidates who pass the first assessment (multiple-choice test, structured interview, writing exercise, performance exam) you may be asked to complete a secondary assessment before the recruitment is finalized. If a secondary assessment is scheduled, you will be notified by email with specific details. If a secondary assessment is not scheduled, department hiring interviews will occur during this time frame.
Candidates who pass each stage in the process will be placed on an eligible list. Some candidates may receive extra points, for example, if you are a Veteran with an honorable discharge, or if you are a current City of Oakland resident. If you’re applying to a “restricted” posting and you are eligible as a current City employee, you may also receive additional points for your City service. Extra points are only applied to passing scores, so if you do not pass every element of the testing process, you cannot use extra points to pass.
The City of Oakland reserves the right to modify the selection process and date of examination as necessary to conform to administrative or business necessity. The information contained in this announcement is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.
What’s in it for you?- 15 paid holidays
- Vacation: 2 weeks per year minimum with the ability to accrue more depending on public sector years of service
- Retirement: CalPERS (California Public Employees’ Retirement System) with a pension formula of 2.5% @ 55 (for Classic CalPERS members) and 2% @ 62 for new CalPERS members. Classic Employees contribute 8% of pre-tax wages. The City of Oakland does not participate in Social Security
- Health: The City of Oakland pays the full cost of employee and eligible dependent coverage at the Kaiser rate. Other plans include Anthem, Blue Shield, United Health Care, and other HMO and PPO plans
- Dental: Delta Dental full premium for employees and eligible dependents
- Vision: VSP full premium for employees and eligible dependents
- Sick leave: Employees accrue 12 days per year
- Deferred Compensation: 457(b) pre-tax plan and an after-tax ROTH 401(k)plan
- Other benefits include a Flexible Spending Account, Wellness Program, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement, Life Insurance up to $200k & Employee Training.
Applicants are required to submit criminal history information upon request after receiving a conditional offer of employment. If the requested information is not furnished in a timely manner, applicants will not qualify for further consideration and will be removed from the eligible list. Disaster Service Workers All employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.
How to Apply Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least two to three hours to submit your application if you are a new user of the system.
APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED ONLINE ONLY. You may apply and view current openings by visiting our employment opportunities webpage at:
http://agency.governmentjobs.com/oaklandca/default.cfm.
If you do not have access to a computer, there are computer stations available at any City of Oakland Public Library. There are also workstations at the Human Resources Management Department, 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 2nd Floor, Oakland, CA 94612. Workstations are available during regular business hours (normally 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).
Our online application system is provided by NeoGov. If you have problems while applying online, please contact NeoGov's Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday. You may also call the City of Oakland Human Resources Management Department during regular business hours at (510) 238-3112 for information; however, we are unable to provide technical support for the online application system. For recruitment-specific questions, please contact Briana Wong at BWong@oaklandca.gov.
The City of Oakland is committed to the wellbeing of its employees and offers comprehensive health and wellness services along with an array of other benefits for most positions. Benefits may include*:
• CalPERS Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Medical Waiver Plan - Cash-In-Lieu
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Commuter Benefits
• Group & Supplemental Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH)
• Pension Benefits
• Deferred Compensation
* Specific benefits may vary depending on the assignedspecific bargaining unit. Information regarding most benefits can be reviewed here: Employee Benefits Information Current MOUs may be reviewed here: City of Oakland Labor Agreements
Closing Date/Time: 5/5/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
