Forester

Join the Environment and Planning Division to protect, restore, expand, and manage New York City’s natural spaces and green infrastructure through citywide urban forestry, ecological, and horticulture initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Perform advanced professional forestry functions in the field and office.
• Enforce Parks Department standards for tree pruning, removal, planting, and replacement.
• Assess work to be done by contractors; engage with and supervise employees involved in professional forestry activities.
• Consult with engineers, developers, and contractors regularly throughout projects.
• Schedule, conduct, and/or supervise inspections and field surveys to assess tree health, structure, pests, diseases, and construction impacts.
• Compile and manage forestry contracts, including tree maintenance, removal, planting, sidewalk repair, invasive species removal, and natural area restoration.
• Review schedules, reports, and correspondence prepared by consultants, contractors, and other agencies.
• Perform field inspections to assess contract compliance and work outcomes.
• Review permit applications to assess impacts to trees and landscapes; advise applicants and agencies on designs and methods, and/or issue permits.
• Manage forestry databases used to track, monitor, and produce reports on budgets, productivity, accomplishments, and program status updates.
• Respond to citizen inquiries and maintain working relationships with community boards, community groups, and officials within and outside the Agency.
• Coordinate community-based greening efforts and lead tree stewardship workshops.

Requirements

• A master’s degree from an accredited college or university, with a specialization in forestry or a related subject, or
• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, with a specialization in forestry or a related subject and one year of full-time professional experience in forestry or arboricultural work, or
• An associate degree from an accredited college or university, with a specialization in forestry or a related subject and three years of full-time professional experience in forestry or arboricultural work, or
• A satisfactory combination of education and/or experience equivalent to the above, provided all candidates have at least an associate degree with a specialization in forestry or a related subject.

License Requirement

• A Motor Vehicle Driver License valid in the State of New York, maintained for the duration of employment.

Preferred Skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft 365.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience working with the public.
• Ability to work independently.

Benefits

• Eligibility for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs (see U.S. Department of Education’s website).
• This position is exempt from NYC residency requirements.
• Open to qualified persons with a disability through the 55-a Program.

Pay

$60,122.00 – $85,187.00