• Job Description

  Req#: 4900264

  Precinct One’s Mission
  

  Precinct One’s mission is that we are committed to become a national model for delivering responsive public service utilizing inclusive, innovative and collaborative approaches to improve the quality of life, advance equality of opportunity and promote the fair treatment of all people in Harris County.
  

  
  

  What you will do at Precinct One

  Harris County Precinct One is looking for a Caretaker - Urban Forestry!

  
  Essential Duties and Responsibilities
  

  • This role focuses on both preventative and reactive forestry services to meet the needs of the community. The Urban Forestry Caretaker will respond to community service requests, including those submitted through the 311 service ticket system, addressing a range of forestry concerns such as storm damage, hazardous tree removal, and general tree maintenance to ensure public safety and environmental health on our Road & Bridges.
  • You will respond to 311 service tickets and other requests related to tree trimming, storm damage cleanup, removal of hazardous or fallen trees, and other urban forestry-related tasks. Perform preventative maintenance such as pruning, planting, and monitoring the health of trees to prevent potential hazards. React quickly to emergencies, including storm damage, removing dangerous or downed trees, and ensuring public safety after significant weather events.
  • Safely operate a variety of forestry equipment and tools, including chainsaws, woodchippers, and pruning tools. Manage debris and provide clean-up services for fallen branches and tree limbs. Conduct routine inspections of trees to identify potential hazards, ensuring that trees within the precinct's parks and green spaces are safe and healthy. Assist with maintaining natural trails, wooded areas, and other green spaces in the precinct. Work outdoors in various weather conditions and be available for weekend, after-hours, and holiday assignments as required.
  • Additional duties may include supporting park maintenance and other assigned tasks as necessary.

  
  

  
  

  Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
  https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx
  If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net.
  
  This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

  What you will bring to Precinct One

  Education:

  • High school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent

  Experience:

  • Three (3) years of experience in forestry, landscaping, tree maintenance, or a related field.
  • Experience working with a 311-service ticket system or similar community request systems.
    
  • Experience responding to storm damage and emergency situations involving fallen trees and hazardous conditions.
  • Knowledge of urban forestry best practices, including tree trimming, pruning, and planting in urban environments.

  Licensure:

  • Valid Texas State Driver's License

  Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Basic principles of arboriculture and tree care.
    
  • Operation and maintenance of forestry equipment such as chainsaws, woodchippers, and pruning tools.
    
  • Tree hazard identification, including recognizing signs of disease, decay, or damage.
    
  • Safety protocols for handling hazardous tree removal and operating heavy equipment.
    
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
    
    
    

  
  

  NOTE : Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. See Resume will not be accepted for qualifications.

  Position Type:

  • Full-time | Regular
  • Work schedules may vary and include weekends, holidays, and after-hours assignments, especially during emergencies or when responding to service tickets.
    
  • Occasional after-hours or weekend work may be required for special events or emergency responses (e.g., inclement weather,
    park safety issues)

  Work Environment and Physical Demands:

  • Must be able to lift, carry, and move objects up to 100 pounds.
  • Frequent standing, walking, bending, stooping, and working in varying weather conditions, including extreme heat, humidity, cold, and rain.
  • Ability to operate forestry equipment.
  • The work environment is primarily outdoors, requiring regular exposure to various weather conditions such as extreme heat, cold, rain, and wind. Exposure to environmental hazards such as dust, pollen, insects and animals is common.
  • The position may involve working at heights (e.g., climbing trees or using aerial lifts) and near-moving mechanical equipment.
    
    

  What you get in return

  You will be surrounded by coworkers who bring their best to work each day. Passionate people who want to make a difference in the communities Precinct One serves along with Harris County as a whole.
  
  Harris County employees receive a competitive salary plus medical, dental, and vision insurance at no cost to the employee after the first two months of full-time continued employment. Vacation, sick time, and floating holidays allow our employees to recharge and balance work and personal time. Mandatory participation in our retirement program allows employees to save for retirement. Various other benefits and discounts lead to the satisfaction and engagement of our employees.

  About Precinct One
  
  There are four precincts in Harris County. The four elected commissioners, along with an elected county judge, serve as members of Harris County Commissioners Court, the administrative head of the county’s government.

  With approximately 1.1 million residents, Harris County Precinct One is a diverse, urban precinct that covers 363 square miles. Precinct One’s multi-racial, multi-ethnic population is roughly 39 percent African American, 37 percent Latino, 18 percent Anglo, 5 percent Asian, and 1 percent other.

  Precinct One, which includes 876 miles of road, stretches south to Brazoria County and reaches into eastern and northern sections of Harris County. The Precinct’s territory includes a large section of Downtown Houston, including the Downtown Harris County Courthouse Complex, Toyota Center, Minute Maid Park, and the BBVA Compass Stadium. Other notable landmarks include the 263-acre NRG Park Complex, the renowned Texas Medical Center, Rice University, Texas Southern University, the University of Houston’s main and downtown campuses, and the University of St. Thomas. Precinct One is home to more than 20 county parks, 11 community centers, numerous hike-and-bike trails, three maintenance service centers, and several area offices, all of which provide an array of services to Precinct One residents.

  Featured Benefits:

  Harris County employees receive a competitive salary plus medical, dental, and vision insurance at no cost to the employee after the first two months of full-time continuous employment. Vacation, sick time, and floating holidays allow our employees to recharge and balance work and personal time. Mandatory participation in our retirement program will enable employees to save for retirement. Various other benefits and discounts lead to the satisfaction and engagement of our employees.

  
  

  How to apply

  If this job sounds interesting, you meet the required qualifications and you can see yourself working for Precinct One in our Parks area, we invite you to apply.

  https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/harriscountytx

  
  

  Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.
  
  Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.

• About the company

  Office of Commissioner Tom S. Ramsey, P.E.

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