Salary : $98,668.44 - $118,695.46 Annually
Location : 1402 Wingra Creek Parkway, Madison, WI
Job Type: PERMANENT FULL TIME
Job Number:Department: Streets & Urban Forestry
Opening Date: 10/05/2026
Closing Date: 11/2/2026 11:59 PM Central
Comp. Group/Range: 18/13
General Description The City Forester manages the Urban Forestry work unit within the Streets Division. This position plays a lead role in all initiatives related to the care, protection, and promotion of Madison's urban forest. This is responsible professional, technical, supervisory, programmatic, and administrative work involving the direction of the maintenance, protection, removal, and planting of all public trees within the City of Madison. The work involves supervising a large staff of highly educated and engaged permanent and hourly employees through lower level supervisors, as well as the direct supervision of administrative staff, involved in the following work: inspections for compliance with Department of Public Works (DPW) specifications, updating street tree inventory, code enforcement, hazard tree inspections, and street tree planting.
This position has significant input in the formation and responsibility of the Forestry annual budget, developing and implementing new programs, overseeing ongoing programs, and coordinating the processing of owner assessments in certain situations. This position monitors and directs tree protection requirements for construction activities impacting right of way trees and is responsible for short- and long-term planning and coordinating projects and work unit activities. Considerable interaction and collaboration with staff from other agencies, as well as engagement with residents, developers, and elected officials is expected. This position reports to the Streets and Urban Forestry Division Manager and carries out its duties and responsibilities with a high degree of independence.
Examples of Duties and ResponsibilitiesManagement- Manage the Forestry work unit within the City's Streets Division and guide the vision, protection, and expansion of the urban forest to promote public health, environmental equity, sustainability, and quality of life.
- Direct the activities of the Urban Forestry Work Unit management and specialist staff in the planning, organizing and implementation of work unit operations by establishing and analyzing programs, service level assessments, development and monitoring of goals and performance metrics while ensuring work is performed in a safe and efficient manner.
- Direct and administer, through lower level supervisors, the field operations and programs related to tree management, including small tree and cycle pruning, chemical treatments, storm response and tree protection measures.
- Identify, pilot, and implement new methods and practices that improve safety, reduce costs and improve quality.
- Manage employee relations including recruitment, retention, promotion, training, discipline, grievance resolution and Workers Comp.
- Take proactive action to ensure unit work culture aligns with City's expectations of providing an inclusive, open and welcoming work place for all.
- Direct and coordinate technical training and research activities for the section.
- Direct workforce development training for new hires. Create and monitor ongoing employee training programs related to crew safety, skills attainment, best practices and maintenance as well as cultural awareness.
- Promote adherence to national tree work and safety standards, including A300 and ANSI Z133.
Administration- Direct tree protection programs related to construction impacts as well as those from pests or disease.
- Advise on, and execute, citywide tree policy, enforce ordinances, establish tree management priorities and best practices, develop new initiatives, and work with non-profit partners to expand and maintain the City's tree canopy.
- Provide overall management to any urban forestry contracts, contractors or consultants.
- Research, write and manage RFP's, RFQ's and related processes.
- Update Tree Technical Manual biannually.
- Work with the Department of Civil Rights as well as appropriate community partners to ensure city forestry efforts are equity-focused.
- Provide overall management of Forestry's Asset Management System, TreeKeeper, tracking relevant data as it relates to tree location, age, growth, health, work orders, and other relevant data.
- Participate in the City's annual budget process and manage the urban forestry operating and capital budget.
- Generate and present reports as necessary.
- Attend and provide presentations at various Board, Committee and Neighborhood meetings as required.
- Ensure required reports, records and data systems are accurate and up to date.
Collaboration- Interface across municipal and state agencies and authorities, as well as nonprofit and institutional partners, as necessary, on issues regarding Madison's urban forestry. Work directly with other City department personnel, elected officials, not-for-profit organizations, community groups, and State and Federal agencies on tree issues and work that supports the City's forestry program and goals.
- Work with and facilitate effective communication with community groups.
- Work with various City agencies to ensure the care and maintenance of public trees in the city right of way, parks, playgrounds, cemeteries, squares, plazas, medians and public building grounds are properly maintained.
- Respond directly or when appropriate work with the City's public information structure to manage the division's communications processes to include responses to service requests, outreach, engagement and education programs specific to tree planting, monitoring, maintenance and care, as well as to promote the Forestry Program through various media formats and conduct public presentations on the City's program.
- Work with Planning Department and City Engineering to manage the review and response associated with proposed construction and development projects regarding urban tree canopy and landscaping.
- Provide guidance and a strong voice in the development of policies, codes, and other requirements, particularly for street design and new development.
- Provide professional direction in administration of coordinated programs for City-wide conservation and protection of arboreal resources, tree inventories, regulation of owner/developer actions on trees covered by the City Code, and the maintenance, removal, and planting of trees.
- Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications - Four (4) years of experience applying the following:
- The methods, techniques, equipment, tools, and materials used in planting, pruning, removing, treating, fertilizing, and inspecting shade and ornamental trees.
- Tree species common in Madison's geographic region.
- Relevant pest and diseases including control measures.
- Occupational hazards of all phases of tree care relevant to Right of Way tree care including safety protocols and precautions; AND
- Two (2) years of experience applying the following:
- Use of computer software applicable to the duties of the position including GIS, GPS, MS Office, and Kronos (or similar timesheet/payroll software).
- The full range of supervisory principles and practices.
- Budget creation and administration.
- Efficient personnel and equipment utilization techniques.
-OR-- Three (3) years of responsible supervisory experience in a forestry organization at the level of foreperson or above; AND
- Bachelor's Degree in forestry, forest management, or a related field.
Other combinations of experience, training, and education which can be demonstrated to result in the possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of this position will also be considered.
The City of Madison strives to provide exceptional customer service to all its residents and visitors. Therefore, successful candidates will have demonstrated ability to effectively work with multicultural communities. For a complete list of the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities, please reference the
Special Requirements - Possession of a valid driver's license.
- ISA Certified Arborist designation within six (6) months of hire.
- May be expected to attend meetings or provide trainings outside regular work hours, including evenings and weekends.
Physical Requirements: Ability to inspect work at a variety of field work sites (e.g., wooded areas, hilly uneven terrain, wetlands, shorelines, etc.).
The City of Madison offers excellent pay and benefits for employees. City Ordinances, handbooks, and labor contracts provide specifics; the description here is not to be considered a binding statement but offers an informal summary.
CompensationThe City of Madison strives to pay competitive wages. View the current for pay for all classifications. Employees receive increases based on tenure with the City.
Benefits The City offers a competitive benefits package, including a generous leave package, a variety of insurance options, and non-traditional benefits such as optional pet insurance, a bus pass for all employees, and the possibility of flexible work schedules. A brief summary of benefits is listed below. Please visit our for more information.
LeaveVacation is earned upon starting employment and can be used after completion of probation. The general vacation schedule is below.
0-3 years 10 work days of vacation
After 3 years 12-1/2 days
After 7 years 15 days
After 11 years 17-1/2 days
After 15 years 20 days
After 19 years 25 days
After 27 years 27 days
Employees earn 3.5 personal days in addition to vacation.
Employees receive eight official paid holidays (New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day), as well as 3 paid leave days (the Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve).
Employees also earn 13 sick days annually that may accrue to a total of 150 days.
RetirementThe City of Madison participates in the Wisconsin Retirement System through the State of Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds.
InsuranceThe City of Madison offers a variety of optional insurance programs including:
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Pet Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Income Continuation Insurance (for short and long-term disability)
- Long Term Care Insurance
Other Benefits The City offers numerous other benefits and programs for employees, including:
• 457(b) deferred compensation plans
• Employee Assistance Program
• Bus Pass on Madison Metro
• Flexible Work Schedules
• Employer-paid Training
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PLEASE READ CAREFULLY--YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO ANSWER THE FOLLOWING SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS AS PART OF YOUR APPLICATION. You can answer the questions using a word processing program and attach as a .docx or .pdf file. You must attach the document in the "Attachments" section of the application or you will not receive further consideration for this position. Your responses will be evaluated on your writing ability including: spelling, grammar and your ability to express your thoughts in a logical fashion. By checking this box, you acknowledge the above and understand that your response is required and failure to attach your essay response will immediately eliminate you from consideration.
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The Dane County Regional Airport is expanding to accommodate the increased travel needs of Madison's growing population. Part of the expansion is the creation of an overflow parking lot adjacent to what is now an unimproved road (doesn't have curb, gutter, or sidewalk). Madison has a policy that stipulates that roadways will be redesigned with improvements whenever development occurs. This segment of road has 15 medium sized Norway maples that are located in the right of way and is traveled by many coming to and from the airport. This project has been assigned to one of your Forestry Specialists to review to determine what, if any, impacts to the street trees will be. It has been determined that all 15 trees would need to be removed because the proposed new sidewalk installation will only be two feet away from the stems of each tree. Additionally, Dane County forwarded you a
