Job Description

JOB LOCATION

Cit y of Aurora , Colorado

It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we're growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of: Integrity , Respect, Professionalism , and Customer Service , and we welcome all who share these values to apply.


Why Work for Aurora?

• Make a difference in the lives of real people every day
• Diverse community
• Competitive total compensation package
• Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan
• Light rail station minutes away
• On-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement
• Access to innovation workspaces

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Growth is the name of the game for our next Apprentice Tree Climber, and we are looking for someone ready to branch out into a rewarding forestry career. You will join a dedicated team maintaining the city’s canopy through pruning, planting, and essential ground operations. This role suits individuals who enjoy fresh air and don’t mind a workplace that occasionally requires a literal leap of faith. Candidates need 1,000 hours of recognized tree-trimmer training and a strong commitment to safety protocols. We value hard workers who can handle 24-hour emergency responses while keeping a professional attitude toward our citizens. Your office will have the best views in town as you help our local environment thrive one limb at a time.

The deadline to submit applications is April 26, 2026. Please note that the City of Aurora will conduct ongoing screenings of applications on a first-come, first-served basis; as soon as we determine that we have a qualified pool of applicants, this position may close quickly and without notice.

The hiring range for this role is $15.58 - $19.47/hour.

Salary to be commensurate with experience.

This is classified as VHBE (Variable Hour Benefit Eligible), where the selected candidate can work up to 40 hours per week. The selected candidate will be eligible to elect Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits, accrue paid time off, and receive 11 paid holidays.

Position overview:

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Follows directives of technicians and lead worker on daily assignments
• Prunes, grinds stumps, plants, and waters trees under supervision
• Operates machinery needed in ground operations for tree maintenance
• Educates and explains forestry standards of street tree maintenance to citizens
• Serves as crew leader on volunteer work projects
• Maintains equipment for daily use
• Performs 24 hour emergency storm response and snow removal duties in coordination with other departments
• Maintains a safe working environment
• Performs additional duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Education:

• High School Diploma or GED.

Experience:

• At least 1000 hours of training in a recognized a US Department of Labor Tree Trimmer Apprenticeship.

Preferred Experience

• One year of manual labor experience in the green industries
• And/or college level education in horticulture, natural resources, aboriculture, forestry, or related field

Knowledge:

• Hazards and safety practices common to tree maintenance operations.
• Principles and techniques of job site safety and maintaining a safe work space

Skills:

• Follows the standard operating procedures of a safety sensitive work environment
• Operates chipper
• Courteously drives CDL city vehicles
• Operates chainsaws and other hand tools
• Maintains a safe work environment

Abilities:

• Team player. Can coordinate activities with other crew members.
• Ability to work in unpleasant and sometimes hazardous weather conditions.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Able to learn technical material quickly and apply lessons consistently
• Ability to learn skills and do tasks that require physical endurance

Licenses, Training, and Certifications Required:

• Valid driver’s license with clean driving history
• Class B Colorado Commercial Driver's License.
• CPR and First Aid certification
• TCIA Chipper Operator Specialist
• TCIA Ground Operations Specialist
• Core 4 Training

WORKING CONDITIONS

Essential Personnel:

When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the City, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel.

Physical Demands:

• Moderate to heavy physical work depending on assigned function
• Continuous heavy physical work requiring the ability to frequently lift up to 50 pounds with or without assistance and carry objects weighing up to 50 pounds
• Continuous walking and standing; frequently performs activities requiring a full range of body motion including pushing, pulling, bending, stooping/crouching, and climbing
• Continuous hand/eye and hand/foot coordination for operation of tools, equipment, and vehicles
• Speech communication to give instructions and information to employees
• Vision to read manuals and gauges and operate equipment
• Hearing/listening for instructions, troubleshooting, and warning signals.

Work Environment:

• Works both indoors and outdoors with exposure to all weather conditions, noise, fumes, dust, and chemicals

Equipment Used:

• Aerial Lift
• Chip truck and chipper combination
• Water truck
• Tandem axle snow plows and dump trucks
• 1 ton dump trucks
• Snow blowers and truck mounted snow plows
• Chainsaws
• Hand tools and power tools
• Stump grinder
• Computers and typical MS Office software

This position may require the incumbent to use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment.

The city of Aurora will implement furlough days (unpaid days off) for most employees in 2026. The scheduled furlough dates are January 16, April 10, July 2, and December 24.

For Veterans preference: Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application.


The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer. We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants. It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission.



Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug-free workplace. A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired.

Drug Testing, Thorough Criminal Background Check, and Employment References:
As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check.

Applicants selected for safety-sensitive positions are required to complete and pass a drug screening as a condition of employment. Safety sensitive positions include Civil Service positions within Police and Fire Departments and positions where their job responsibilities have direct and substantial responsibility that would impact the health and safety of others.

Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies.

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