Introduction
Job Description
The City of Racine is seeking a qualified and motivated professional to serve as City Forester within the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services (PRCS) Department. Forestry is a division of PRCS and plays a key role in maintaining the City’s natural assets, public safety, and overall quality of life.
Position Purpose
The Forestry Division is responsible for the management and long-term stewardship of Racine’s urban forest, which includes approximately 28,000 public trees and an additional 12,000 designated planting locations throughout the community. In addition to trees located along streets and within parks, the Forestry Division manages trees located on the Wustum Museum grounds, at the Racine Zoo, on three public golf courses, and within two municipal cemeteries.
Essential Duties
Essential Duties
- Oversee and coordinate forestry operations, projects, and work programs, establishing priorities and standards for implementation by field staff.
- Implement a comprehensive tree maintenance program for all public trees.
- Develop and maintain a citywide tree inventory and Urban Forest Management Plan with measurable performance metrics.
- Maintain tree health records and support data-driven urban forestry practices. Recommend programmatic improvements and implement modifications.
- Plan, prioritize, and schedule inspection, maintenance, and removal activities based on risk, condition, and available resources, and asset management principles.
- Develop short- and long-term strategic goals for the urban forest, including canopy equity, climate resilience, species diversity, and invasive species management, and lead periodic updates to the Urban Forest Management Plan.
- Supervise, mentor, and evaluate permanent, seasonal, and temporary staff. Participate in hiring, performance evaluations, and employee development.
- Initiate corrective and disciplinary actions in accordance with City policies, procedures, and any labor agreements if applicable.
- Ensure compliance with applicable safety standards, including ANSI Z133, OSHA regulations, and City safety policies, and take corrective action when unsafe conditions or practices are identified.
- Promote a strong safety culture through training, inspections, and corrective actions.
- Provide training opportunities for staff and the public.
- Coordinate community forestry events and lead staff and volunteers in tree planting and maintenance efforts.
- Participate in the development and administration of the Division of Forestry operating and capital budgets. Monitor expenditures and ensure fiscal accountability. Apply for and administer grants. Create bid specifications, administer contracts, and monitor contractor performance to ensure compliance with specifications, schedules, and safety requirements.
- Serve as the primary technical advisor on urban forestry matters to City leadership, boards, commissions, and the public. Coordinate with utilities, developers, and internal departments on tree protection, removals, development review, and infrastructure projects.
- Interpret and enforce chapter 102 of city ordinance–Trees & Vegetation.
- Coordinate and lead storm damage and emergency response related to trees, including assessment, prioritization, and deployment of resources.
- Maintain availability for on-call duty as part of a rotation with other supervisors.
- In the absence of the Superintendent of Parks, the City Forester shall serve in an acting capacity for field operations, with authority over parks and forestry operational staff and emergency response activities, subject to overall direction of the Director.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Environmental/Working Conditions Of Position
This position functions in a combination of office, field, and vehicle-based work environments. Duties include office work, field inspections, site visits, and meetings with staff, contractors, and the public. The City Forester regularly conducts outdoor inspections and assessments throughout the year and may be exposed to varying weather conditions, including heat, cold, wind, precipitation, noise, dust, and uneven terrain.
The position requires travel throughout the City and occasional response to emergency or storm-related situations outside of normal business hours. While the City Forester provides professional and supervisory oversight of forestry operations, the position is not primarily assigned to routine manual labor or equipment operation.
Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in urban forestry, forestry, forest management, arboriculture, or a closely related field.
- Must possess at a minimum International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)Certified Arborist certification, or preferably ISA Certified Urban Forest Professional certification at time of hire.
- At least 6 years of progressively responsible experience working in urban forestry or arboriculture including a minimum three years of supervisory role.
- Must possess and maintain a valid, unrestricted Wisconsin driver’s license.
- Equivalent combinations of education and experience may also be considered.
Preferred Quailification
- International Society of Arboriculture Certified Urban Forest Professional certification.
- Possession of or ability to obtain Wisconsin Pesticide Applicator license.
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Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities Required
- Strong leadership, managerial, organizational and planning skills.
- Strong written and verbal skills. The ability to make professional presentations to boards, commissions, community groups, and professional organizations.
- Proficiency with computers, tablets, and mobile technology, including urban forestry management software, GIS-based applications (e.g., Tree Keeper or similar), and standard office software.
Supplemental Information
Physical Demands Of The Position
Ability to work in an office setting and outdoors in a variety of weather conditions, and to respond to emergencies or storm events, including working outside normal business hours
Equipment Used
The City Forester utilizes standard office and field equipment including computers, tablets, urban forestry management software, GIS-based applications, soil testing equipment, diameter (DBH) tapes, and related inspection and assessment tools. The position requires familiarity with arboricultural equipment commonly used by field staff, including chainsaws, aerial lift devices, stump grinders, brush chippers, and other forestry and landscape maintenance equipment, for purposes of supervision, training, safety oversight, and operational planning.
This job description is intended to identify essential duties and also illustrates other types of duties that may be assigned. It should not be interpreted as describing all of the duties that will be required of an employee or be used to limit the nature and extent of assignments that an individual is required to perform. In addition to the responsibilities and duties listed, it is expected that employees maintain a consistent and reliable attendance record. Job descriptions are subject to revision at any time at the discretion of the Utility or City of Racine.
The City of Racine is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
City Employee Benefits - 2026
- Health Insurance
- 92.5% of the Premium is paid by the City of Racine - either single or family.
- Centivo administers the PPO Plans that are offered. You can chose from two high-deductible health plans and one low-deductible health plan, with two different networks offered.
- CVS Caremark administers our prescription plan
- Payment of $50 per month to employees who waive health coverage
- Health Savings Account (H.S.A.)
- A Health Savings Account (H.S.A.) is a tax beneficial savings account that can be used in conjunction with a qualified High – Deductible Health Plan. The funds put into an H.S.A. may be used on future, eligible health care expenses without any taxation. The City makes a prorated, one-time contribution to an employee’s Health Savings Account, with the amount of the contribution determined at the time of hire.
- The maximum contribution amounts are determined by the IRS each year.
- Racine Employee Health & Wellness Center
- The Employee Health and Wellness Center run by Ascension Wisconsin is available to you and your dependent(s) if enrolled in the medical insurance
- It provides comprehensive services including clinic visits, health coaching, and preventative exams and health screenings.
- Life Insurance
- City provides one unit equal to your annual earnings
- Employee may buy additional insurance – each unit is equal to your annual earnings.
- Maximum additional life insurance is four units; For a total of five (5) units at the maximum coverage.
- Cost depends on age and annual salary
- Spouse and Dependent Life Insurance is available – maximum coverage is $20,000 for spouse and $10,000 for dependents, cost is $3.20 per month or half for $1.60/month
- Pension
- Wisconsin Retirement System, the contribution rate for 2026 is 14.4% Funded 50% by the City of Racine and 50% by the employee.
- Rates can change per year depending upon what is approved through WRS.
- Vacation
- Less than 4 years of continuous service – 96 hours
- At least 4 years but less than 9 years of continuous service – 136
- At least 9 years but less than 14 years of continuous service - 176
- At least 14 years but less than 21 years of continuous service - 216
- At least 21 years of continuous service – 256
- You may carry over up to 80 hours into the next year.
- During the first calendar year of employment, new employees shall earn vacation on a prorated basis based on the new employee’s start date.
- Holidays
- 13 paid holidays, 12 scheduled and 1 floating
- Sick Leave
- Accrues at the rate of 1 day per full month worked.
- Casual Days
- You can earn up to 4 casual days based off the amount of sick time that you have accrued.
- You are also eligible for an additional casual day if you use 16 hours or less of sick time in the preceding year.
- Dental Insurance
- MetLife administers our dental plan with two options available to employees (Basic plan or Advanced plan). Employees pay the premium with a pre-tax payroll deduction.
- The City of Racine pays for the Basic Employee premium if you are enrolled in the medical insurance.
- Vision Insurance
- Superior Vision administers our vision plan with one option. Employees pay the premium with a pre-tax payroll deduction.
- Flexible Spending Plans
- Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts administered by Health Equity.
- The maximum contributions are determined by the IRS each year.
- Short Term Disability Policy
- Automatically enrolled in a short-term disability insurance policy through MetLife, excludes Water and Wastewater Utility Employees.
- 70% of annual income, up to 13 weeks with a maximum benefit of $2,000 weekly.
- Employee Assistance Program
- The City of Racine offers an employee assistance program through Advocate Aurora.
- Parental Leave
- 320 hours of paid parental leave, if eligible for FMLA. Water and Wastewater Utility employees are eligible for 80 hours.
- Deferred Compensation
- Provided through Nationwide, Security Benefit (RPA/The Standard) or Wisconsin Deferred Comp.
- Supplemental Insurance
- Provided through AFLAC Funded by payroll deduction
- Accident, Hospital & Cancer policies are available
- Tuition Reimbursement
- $4,000 per year, or 80% of the employee's total tuition cost, whichever is lower.
- Student Loan Repayment Program
- The Student Loan Repayment Program, administered by Bakertilly Vantagen, helps assist you with the financial burden of the education that you have received. Non City of Racine residents can receive up to $1,200 per year towards student loan repayments, and City of Racine residents can receive up to $2,400 per year towards student loan repayments.
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
- The PSLF Program promotes full-time public sector employment. Public Employees, may qualify for public service loan forgiveness after making 120 payments toward their student loans while working full-time in public service. This means that nurses, policeman, firefighters, public health, and government employees can be eligible for participation. The Forgiveness Program was designed uniquely to provide relief to those who are doing the best for our communities every day. To find out if you qualify for a forgiveness program call 866-706-5005.
- Wellness Incentive
- Employees, spouses, and retirees covered by the City health insurance plan who complete the Wellness Incentive requirements are eligible to receive $200, spouses receive $100.
- Fitness Reimbursement
- Employees, spouses, and retirees covered by the City health insurance plan are eligible for 50% reimbursement of their annual membership fee up to a maximum of $200 per household.
- Reimbursement also includes fitness classes and weight reduction programs.
- City of Racine Residency
- City of Racine employees that are non-represented are eligible for a 4% per hour pay differential if you provide proof that you are City of Racine resident.
- City of Racine residency pay differential rates are different for:
- Racine Police Association – 3% differential rate
- Local 321 Firefighter Union – 3% differential rate
- Transit Union – 2% differential rate
- You can receive additional City contribution into your H.S.A. account if you are a City of Racine Resident. Residency contributions are based on what
- Homebuyer Down payment Assistance Program
- The City of Racine Employee Homebuyer Assistance Program offers up to $10,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance to help you purchase your dream home in the City of Racine – Submission deadline for applications is August 1st, 2026.
- Racine Financial Empowerment Center
- The Racine Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) provides free one-on-one professional financial counseling for all City of Racine employees, and residents of the City of Racine.
Additional information about the City’s comprehensive benefits package can be found on the following website; Active Employees - City of Racine - Human Resources Department
01
Are you currently a City of Racine employee?
02
Do you possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in urban forestry, forestry, forest management, arboriculture, or a closely related field?
03
How many years of supervisory experience do you have working in urban forestry or arboriculture?
- 0-1 years experience
- 2-4 years of experience
- 5 or more years of experience
04
Do you currently possess the International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist Certification?
