City Forester

City Forester

Salary

$111,821.00 - $145,350.00 Annually

Location

Forestry 402 23rd St N, Fargo, ND

Job Type

Full Time Regular (40)

Job Number

2026-00002

Department

Forestry

Division

FORESTRY - SELECT THIS OPTION

Opening Date

05/21/2026

Closing Date

6/12/2026 11:59 PM Central

• Description
• Benefits

Position Description

Under general direction, the City Forester plans, organizes and implements a progressive municipal forestry program to ensure public safety, and the continuity and health of community trees. The job is primarily focused on managing forestry on public property, but may extend to private property for insect/disease management or protection of public safety.

Primary Responsibilities

Incumbent supervises the activities of the Arborist Supervisor, and related staff of approximately nine FTE Forestry staff and approximately one to twenty seasonal/temporary staff. The incumbent manages the unit budget of approximately $2.5 million.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develops, recommends and implements Forestry unit operating policies, procedures and programs within the division in order to accomplish departmental goals and objectives.

• Develops and recommends urban forestry programs such as a reforestation plan for the City including a master tree planting plan and streetscape design detailing particular species of trees and their appropriate percentage of Citys tree population to aggressively encourage diversity and maintain neighborhood street tree consistency;

• In collaboration with the Director of Operations, researches and writes operating policies and procedures;

• Plans, organizes and supervises the implementation of insect/disease management and control programs including extensive, occasionally after regular hours, communications with private property owners, some being extremely emotional;

• Establishes, directs, maintains records for department's operations and programs including tree inventory;

• Prepares and submits to the Director reports and correspondence relating to divisional activities, direction, accomplishments, etc.

• Plans, prioritizes, coordinates and evaluates the daily operations and activities, programs and services of the division to ensure effective and efficient operation and quality service to the community. Provides technical expertise to all work unit operations.

• Reviews, plans and prioritizes projects with subordinate supervisors;

• Ensures supervisors understand and implement policies, work standards and procedures for all work unit activities;

• Plans and coordinates operations, activities and projects including scheduling inspections and surveying;

• Determines appropriate chemicals to use and the timing of treatments.

• Using independent judgment provides supervision and leadership to department personnel under the span of control.

• Participates in decisions on matters of hiring, transfer, suspension, lay off, recall, promotion, discharge, assignment, reward, adjusting grievances or disciplining employees under the span of control;

• Sets goals and objectives for others to work towards and monitors performance;

• Leads unit in creating and maintaining a positive work environment and fostering effective performance of staff;

• Conducts ongoing feedback, coaching, mentoring, and timely formal reviews of performance for assigned employees;

• Provides safety and forestry related training and work direction, ensuring the employee knows and follows department and city rules as well as sound work and safety practices in order to accomplish the job objectives and avoid injury or loss; ensures that each employee:

• Knows and follows department and city rules as well as sound work and safety practices in order to accomplish the job objectives and avoid injury or loss;

• Wears proper protective equipment when policy requires or conditions indicate a need exists and utilizes proper body mechanics and ergonomics while performing work;

• When potentially unsafe conditions are observed, makes efforts to avoid or correct them if they are controllable and draws them to the attention of the responsible supervisor or safety representative in a timely manner.

• Plans the work schedule to meet department demands and to limit overtime costs to reasonable and necessary levels;

• Encourages employee growth and development by providing or encouraging learning opportunities;

• Assesses staff development needs and directs the provision of staff training;

• Participates in decisions regarding the content of jobs and the number of staff within the functional areas under the span of control.

• Manages the Forestry unit budget.

• Provides informed input on matters relating to the annual operating and multi-year capital budgets;

• Analyzes past expenditures, expected needs, future cost projections and sources of funding in order to develop detailed budgets;

• Reviews year-to-date spending reports and monitors performance against plan during the entire budget cycle, making or recommending adjustments as necessary to achieve a desired balance at the end of the cycle;

• Approves expenditures for purposes and amounts that are within the budget and within the authorized approval limits of the job;

• Works to ensure the most cost-effective alternatives are identified when planning expenditures;

• Seeks, prepares and submits applications for grant funds for urban forestry purposes and works with finance department staff to account for grant fund uses.

• Administers contracts with private firms to carry-out technical forestry activities.

• Develops contract specifications, sets standards for proper tree care and develops work plans;

• Coordinates contractors' work, supervises activities and monitors quality of work to ensure contract requirements are met.

• Reviews proposed street and utility projects to assess potential impact on existing trees and assist with tree preservation. Makes recommendations' regarding necessary revisions.

• Directs the issuance of permits for street tree plantings and Land Development Code enforcement, pruning, and removal; reviews landscape site plans and monitors compliance.

• Conducts and oversees annual tree risk assessment inspections to ensure the public's safety along public rights of ways; collects forensic information and details relating to failures; conducts tree appraisals for the valuation on public property and occasionally private property as needed; may be involved in litigation and contentious related situations; enforces City codes and ordinances relating to Forestry.

• Communicates courteously and professionally and maintains working relationships with others in carrying out job functions.

• Frequently interacts with others in the work unit, the public, vendors, developers, insurance professionals, or across departments to exchange detailed and/or technical information;

• Interaction with the public, vendors, or across departments regularly and includes negotiations involving convincing the other party to do something to achieve a basic work related objective;

• Communications include responsibility for maintaining relationships that are key to the function;

• Receives and responds to inquiries from the general public regarding forestry issues. Provides professional and technical advice and information as necessary;

• Serves as a professional liaison to other departments and governmental agencies and boards including a forestry advisory committee to coordinate efforts, share information and resources, and discuss relevant issues regarding the technical aspects of arboriculture.

• Plans, organizes and coordinates public relation events and programs such as Arbor Day and community meetings to promote awareness and support of reforestation efforts.

• Performs other duties and activities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

The job requires a Bachelor's degree in Forestry and eight or more years of experience in urban forestry or a masters degree in Urban Forestry and three or more years of experience in the nursery or forestry management field. Current International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist is required. ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification is required. ISA Board Certified Master Arborist Certification is required within 1 year of hire. A valid Commercial Driver's License with appropriate endorsement(s) is required.

Knowledge, skills and abilities include:

• Knowledge of concepts, theories and principles of forestry management; life cycles of insects and disease related to trees; and tree performance and regionally adapted trees;
• Knowledge of governmental administrative practices including budgeting, purchasing and policy formulation;
• Knowledge of local, state and federal laws, regulations and codes relating to forestry;
• Knowledge of human resource management practices such as training, discipline, delegation, etc.;
• Skill in organizing and prioritizing work and in record keeping;
• Skill in forestry management practices and procedures including inventory management, streetscape design, developing reforestation plan, tree risk management, code and ordinance enforcement, etc.;
• Ability to communicate effectively in both verbal and written forms, and have strong public relations skills;
• Ability to select competent personnel and to train them to perform their duties in an effective and efficient manner;
• Ability to supervise personnel in a manner conducive to efficient performance and high morale;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

Physical Demands

Work is performed in a normal office environment and outdoors. Work is generally moderate with considerable variety. Daily work often involves moving between buildings and rooms and traveling to work sites. Regular driving is required to assess field conditions and attend meetings. The job may involve dealing with and calming individuals who are emotionally charged over an issue, such as tree removal impact. There is considerable attention to detail and deadlines. At times the incumbent may actively participate in field activities. At these times there may be intermittent exposure to disagreeable working conditions and hazards the same as those described for the Arborist Supervisor.

Climbing, reaching, standing, walking, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing/listening, seeing/observing, repetitive motions.

Moderate Work: Exerting up to 75 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently.

Some requirements in this job description may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. All requirements are subject to modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and experience required. To perform this job successfully, the worker must possess the abilities and aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship. The City Administrator retains the discretion to add duties or change the duties of this position at any time.

The City of Fargo offers a comprehensive benefit package, to include participation in the North Dakota Public Employees Retirement System. For more information on our benefits click here.

If you are applying for a Part Time Temporary or Seasonal position, you are not eligible for benefits through the City of Fargo.

Employer City of Fargo

Address 225 4th Street N

Fargo, North Dakota, 58102

Phone (701) 241-1321

Website http://www.fargond.gov