Salary : $78,956.80 - $87,068.80 Annually
Location : Palmdale, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:
Department: Maintenance
Opening Date: 07/20/2026
Closing Date: 8/3/2026 1:00 PM Pacific
Max Number of Applicants: 150

DESCRIPTION
The full salary range for this position is as follows:$37.96-$48.46. Expected hiring range is as follows: $37.96 to $41.86.

The Maintenance Specialist is responsible for the planning, maintenance, preservation, and management of trees and urban green infrastructure in the Landscape Maintenance Districts and General Benefit Areas. This role supports environmental sustainability, public safety, and community beautification through urban forestry tree care programs, inspections, and planting initiatives.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

The Maintenance Specialist position is the advanced journey lead level classification in the Maintenance Specialist series. The Maintenance Specialist is responsible for leading internal staff, managing, scheduling, and conducting contract compliance oversight for vendors and other city personnel working in urban forestry and landscape operations.

This classification is distinguished from Senior Maintenance Specialist in that the latter classification is at the working supervisory level responsible for organizing, assigning, training, and monitoring work of contractors and subordinate staff.

Essential Duties:
• Administers contract services for urban forestry operations, supervises personnel involved with urban forestry and landscape maintenance projects.
• Inspect and ensure compliance with contractual terms and specifications.
• Inspect, evaluate, and monitor the health and condition of urban forest trees and prescribe treatment as necessary.
• Perform and evaluate soil analysis to determine fertility condition and treatment needed to promote tree or plant health, growth and vitality.
• Inspect and select juvenile trees and plant nursery stock.
• Coordinate tree planting, pruning, removal, and maintenance operations.
• Provide education and instruction in proper forestry and arboriculture practices.
• Enforce International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and American National Standard Institute (ANSI) specifications for tree pruning, removal, planting, and replacement.
• Assist with management and oversight of the Western Joshua Tree and Native Vegetation Preservation ordinance.
• Perform Work Zone Temporary Traffic Control Operations and ensure MUTCD compliance with contractors and city personnel.
• Assist with the development and implementation of urban forestry management plans
• Conduct tree risk assessments and recommend corrective actions
• Maintain tree inventory databases.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal environmental regulations.
• Assist with the procurement of commodities, contract services, and requisition entry.
• Prepare reports, assist with budget preparation, and management of operating budgets.
• Respond to public inquiries and community concerns regarding trees and landscaping.
• Assist with wildfire hazard mitigation, storm response, and emergency tree hazards.
• Promote sustainability, biodiversity, and climate resilience initiatives.
• Educate the public about tree care and urban environmental stewardship.

Required Qualifications:
• 5 years of increasingly responsible experience in performing municipal forestry work.
• Knowledge of tree biology, pest management, and pruning standards.
• Familiarity with GIS software and urban forestry inventory systems.
• Ability to operate forestry tools and equipment safely.
• Strong communication, leadership and organizational skills.
• Valid driver's license at time of appointment.

Preferred Certifications:
• International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist.
• International Society of Arboriculture Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ).
• Commercial Pesticide Applicator License DPR Q.A.L.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements:

Mobility: frequent use of a keyboard; frequent and intermittent sitting for long periods of time; climbing, bending twisting, and squatting when installing equipment.

Lifting: frequently lifting, carrying and pushing tools, equipment, and supplies weighing 10 to 50 pounds or more;

Vision: constant use of overall vision; frequent reading and close-up work; occasional color and depth vision.

Dexterity: frequent repetitive motion; frequent writing; frequent grasping, holding, and reaching.

Working Environment:

Incumbents in this class work within indoor and outdoor environments. When assigned to work outdoors, incumbents are exposed to all weather conditions including wet, hot and cold. Incumbents may be exposed to slippery surfaces. Incumbents will require the experience and ability to operate chainsaws, chippers, and aerial lift equipment. Incumbents may use chemicals, which may involve exposure to fumes and liquids. Incumbents are exposed to gas fumes, exhaust, dirt, dust, and other contaminants. Incumbents may be required to wear personal protective equipment while performing work. The nature of the work also requires the incumbent to climb ladders, use power and noise producing tools and equipment, drive motorized vehicles and heavy equipment, and work in heavy vehicle traffic conditions.

Incumbents must be available for on-call and stand-by duty and respond to after-hours emergencies.
01

These supplemental questions are part of the selection process and are considered part of your application. These questions give you the opportunity to fully explain your background and qualifications as they pertain to this position. Only the most qualified applicants as determined by the evaluation of this supplemental application will be invited to participate in the selection process. Your answers to the following supplemental questions are required for your application to be considered complete. Please note: if you do not have experience in a given area, type "none." Please do not write "Refer to my resume/application" as these answers will be considered incomplete and you will not be given credit. I have read and understand this statement.

• Yes
• No

02

Do you possess an I.S.A. Certified Arborist? If so, please provide the certification number.
03

Do you possess an I.S.A. Tree Risk Assessment Qualification? If so, please provide the issue date.
04

Do you have 5 years of experience providing professional arboricultural services in support of municipal urban forestry programs? If so, please explain your experience.
05

Do you have 3 years of experience performing tree risk assessments? If so, please explain your experience.
Required Question