Forester

The City of New York is seeking a Forester based in Lincoln, NE, who must be a permanent employee in the 'Forester' title. The role involves managing urban forestry and green infrastructure initiatives, including site surveys for tree planting and collaboration with the NYC Department of Environmental Protection. Responsibilities include field inspections, contract management, and ensuring compliance with forestry standards. The position requires approximately 50% fieldwork.
IMPORTANT: All Applicants must be serving Permanent in the "Forester" title to be considered for Interview.

The Forestry, Horticulture, and Natural Resources Group is responsible for citywide urban forestry, ecological and horticulture initiatives, policy standards and performance measures, including street tree planting, Greenstreets, Green Infrastructure, natural areas restoration and horticultural training and education. The Green Infrastructure Unit of the NYC Parks Department (DPR GI Unit) focuses on stormwater capture in priority Combined Sewage Overflow (CSO) tributary areas, primarily in the right of way.

This work not only improves the function of the city’s sewer system, it transforms grey space into green, providing New Yorkers with all of the commensurate benefits green space provides.

The mission of Forestry, Horticulture, and Natural Resources is to protect, restore, expand, and manage New York City’s natural spaces and green infrastructure to maximize their benefits and promote their value within and outside of the urban ecosystem. The division is responsible for citywide urban forestry, ecological, and horticulture initiatives. The division is also focused on the broader reaches of green infrastructure, including green roofs, day lighting, wetland restoration, and stormwater capture as it relates to water quality.

Specifically, the Green Infrastructure Unit, in which the Forester will review designs created by others of engineered landscapes that transform impervious grey space to green space and retrofits of existing parkland to maximize environmental benefits, particularly stormwater capture, in a cost-effective manner. This work is performed in Priority Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Tributary Areas in close partnership with the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

Foresters are needed for site surveys to identify potential tree issues with respect to green infrastructure siting and issue permits for trees in the right of way and on-site, which are under NYC Parks' jurisdiction. The sites are constructed through DEP and other city agencies as part of DEP’s Green Infrastructure Program. This function includes reviewing and approving the best practices for tree planting and under NYC Parks Forestry tree preservation protocols.

DEP plans to install thousands of bioswales in the right of way and many parklands green infrastructure projects that will need permitting from NYC Parks. This position will require roughly 50% of work in the field.
Major Responsibilities
• Together with DEP and other city agency representatives, participate in all field walk-throughs to survey potential green infrastructure sites for possible tree planting and make decisions regarding species selection and site design per NYC Parks criteria.
• Compile and manage right-of-way and on-site green infrastructure contracts for all 60% and 90% design contracts that include bioswales with trees and on-site plantings in conjunction with DEP and other city agencies. Review and provide any comments to DEP or other city agencies regarding trees included in the proposed and approved designs within a timely manner.
• Perform post-planting field inspections and inspect trees with DEP.
• Under general supervision, perform advanced professional forestry functions in the field and office.
• Implement Parks Department standards for tree permitting including removal, planting, and replacement.
• Consult with NYC Parks and DEP engineers and contractors on a regular basis throughout projects.
• Schedule and supervise field surveys and inspections to assess the conditions of trees for health, structure, and disease.
• Manage borough-wide tree database and track, monitor and produce reports on budgets, productivity, accomplishments and program status updates.Minimum Qualifications
• 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…