Labor Crew Chief - Tree Maintenance

Date Opened: Thursday, January 15, 2026 12:00 AM

Close Date: Thursday, January 29, 2026 12:00 AM

Department: General Services Department

Salary: $24.00 - $29.81 Commensurate with Experience

Welcome to the City of Charlotte

Charlotte is America’s Queen City, opening her arms to a diverse and inclusive community of residents, businesses and visitors alike. Here you will find a safe, family-oriented city where people work together to help everyone thrive. The mission of the City of Charlotte is to deliver quality public services and promote the safety, health, and quality of life for all residents.

Our guiding principles include:

• Attracting and retaining a skilled and diverse workforce

• Valuing teamwork, openness, accountability, productivity, and employee development

• Providing all customers with courteous, responsive, accessible, and seamless quality services

• Taking initiative to identify, analyze, and solve problems

• Collaborating with stakeholders to make informed decisions

SUMMARY

This position serves as supervisor of a tree maintenance crew responsible for tree maintenance operations utilizing medium and heavy equipment to maintain and preserve trees in the rights-of-way. Ensures safe, efficient, and professional operations in compliance with City and industry standards.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Schedules, organizes, assigns, and participates in work of tree maintenance crew specializing in pruning and removal of various size trees (up to 100 ft.) in a safe manner.
• Properly and safely operate arboriculture equipment, including:
  • Chainsaws
  • Stump grinder
  • Wood chipper
  • Bucket trucks of varying heights
  • And other related tree maintenance equipment.
• Ensures that crew members are properly trained to complete assigned tasks in a safe manner. Provides time and/or instruction for crew members to attend safety training, learn to operate different equipment, learn or practice new techniques, and receive training from other sources.
• Knowledgeable in all safety procedures for both equipment and personnel.
• Comply with all safety rules so that all jobs and tasks are performed in a safe manner according to City safety policies, COOT, NCDOT, and OSHA regulations.
• Ensures job site and work zone are in accordance with WATCH handbook and DOT regulations for traffic safety.
• Initiates requests for supplies, materials, and tools.
• Ensures that tools and equipment remain in good condition. Inspects the condition of assigned equipment daily. Safely operates, maintains, cleans and makes minor repairs to any equipment to complete the daily tasks. Maintains inventory of all assigned tools and equipment and retains a general working knowledge of safe practices and procedures relating to those tools and equipment.
• Use City’s work management software, Microsoft Office programs, and Virtual Charlotte to perform administrative responsibilities.
• Completes daily work reports. Maintains accurate schedules and completes other work reports and requests as needed.
• Assists crewmembers in developing their performance and development work plans. Properly and accurately completes performance evaluation of crewmembers in accordance with City and department timeframes.  Documents performance so that employees are kept informed of their progress.
• Maintains the appropriate licenses for carrying out assigned tasks including commercial driver’s license. Attends classes, training sessions, seminars etc. to acquire recertification credits and/or updates.
• May be required to work in adverse weather and environmental conditions.
• Participate in the emergency on-call program and emergency storm cleanup.
• Work hours may include nights, weekends and holidays when needed.
• Perform other duties as requested.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of arboriculture and tree maintenance operations. Uses this knowledge in the day-to-day operations.
• Has a good working knowledge of arboriculture and of trees indigenous to North Carolina and the southeastern U.S. Uses the knowledge in arboriculture maintenance.
• Requires knowledge of tools, equipment, and materials used in the arboriculture industry.
• Ability to assign, supervise and inspect work of unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled workers.
• Good computer skills, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) with the ability to prepare accurate daily work reports.
• Requires strong communication skills and customer service skills with the ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.  Ability to deal courteously and tactfully with subordinates, co-workers and the public.  
• Ability to execute tasks with attention to detail.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently.
• Ability to perform moderate to heavy manual labor for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to read, write, and follow verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to use mobile devices including smart phones and tablets.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School Graduate or equivalent.
• A minimum of five (5) years’ experience in tree maintenance operations.
• Valid North Carolina or South Carolina Class B Commercial Driver’s License with air brake endorsement and good driving record.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Three (3) years of supervisory experience in arboriculture or horticulture fields.
• International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist

Additional Information:

• Must maintain a valid NC Driver’s License and safe-driving record.
• Work requires physical strength, outdoor exposure, and availability for storm events.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The City’s Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check.

Background checks must be in compliance with all federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The checks must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by these laws requiring organizations to obtain a candidate’s written authorization before obtaining a criminal background report, motor vehicle records check or credit report; and to properly store and dispose of information derived from such reports.

Final candidates must pass a pre-employment drug-screening test and physical examination. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test, and/or participate in other assessments.

The City of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or on the basis of actual or perceived gender as expressed through dress, appearance, or behavior.

Our culture is to serve the community honorably.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply online.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job.

You are welcome to visit the City of Charlotte Human Resources Department lobby, where self-service application kiosks are available. They are located in our office at 700 East 4th Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28202. We are open Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (EST), excluding official City holidays.

For questions about your application or the hiring process, please email [email protected].

The City of Charlotte is committed to making our services and programs accessible to all. Upon request, auxiliary aids, written materials in alternate formats, language access, and other reasonable accommodations or modifications will be provided. To make a request, please fill out the Innovation & Technology ADA request form or call 704.336.4120.

BENEFITS

The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees.

Click here to learn more about the City of Charlotte’s benefits.

The City of Charlotte is a drug and alcohol-free workplace.