Date Opened: Friday, January 23, 2026 12:00 AM

Close Date: Friday, February 06, 2026 12:00 AM

Department: General Services Department

Salary: $24.00 - $27.04 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 is based in General Service’s Landscape Management Division. This Equipment Operator III position, in the Landscape Operations section, works both independently and as a team leader in the day-to-day operations and is responsible for providing technical and administrative support in all aspects of Tree Maintenance, Landscape Maintenance and Installation operations: but primarily tree maintenance.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Perform daily, seasonal, and annual tasks including skilled equipment operation, administrative duties and moderate to heavy manual labor
• Develop moderately complex oral and written plans and instructions including tasks, equipment and staffing requirements, schedules and maps for assigned work
• Properly and safely operate landscape, construction, and arboriculture equipment including, but not limited to bucket trucks, small dump trucks, trailers, chippers, skid steers, frontend loader/backhoe, utility vehicles, and landscape or arboriculture tools.
• Ability to perform arboricultural and horticultural practices as it relates to care and maintenance of all types of publicly owned landscaped areas.
• Ability to assist in the management of a multi-year Tree Maintenance Program.
• Assist crew chief in developing performance reviews and development work plans.
• Lead teamwork and work independently to meet or exceed City goals and expectations; directing subordinate staff in assigned work.
• Read and understand safety data sheets, blueprints, maps, and equipment repair manuals.
• Provide basic routine equipment maintenance and minor repairs required to complete daily tasks
• Ensure job site and work zone safety according to federal, state, and local DOT standards and regulations and are in accordance with WATCH handbook and NCDOT regulations
• Ability to assist in the management a multi-year Tree Maintenance Program.
• Use CityWorks work management software, Microsoft Office programs, Virtual Charlotte, and MUNIS financial software 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 evaluation of crewmembers’ work plan in accordance with City and department time frames.  Documents performance incidents so that employees are kept informed of their progress.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Self-motivated and ability to manage employees
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing
• Has a good working knowledge of tree and landscape maintenance operations. Uses this knowledge in the day to day operations.
• Thorough knowledge of landscaping and horticultural practices as it relates to care and maintenance of all types of publicly owned landscaped areas.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Ability to perform moderate to heavy manual labor for extended periods of time
• Ability to deal courteously and tactfully with coworkers and the public

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Minimum Qualifications:

• High school graduate or GED
• At least 5 years of experience in the arboriculture and/or horticulture field
• Valid North Carolina Class C Driver’s License with a good driving record or other States equivalent and ability to obtain Class A CDL within 6 months of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 3 years of supervisory experience in arboriculture or horticulture fields
• ISA Certified Arborist
• NC Driver’s License Class A or B CDL or other States equivalent
• NC Pesticide License

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.