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City Forester

City Of Des Moines

Job Location:

Des Moines, IA - USA

Hourly Salary: USD 46 - 58

Posted: 29 September 2026 (13 days ago)

Application Deadline: 27 December 2026

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

General Statement of Duties

Develops manages and leads activities related to the Urban Forest in the City of Des Moines.

Click here to review the full job description:Class Specifications City Forester Class Spec Details

Acceptable Experience and Training

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelors degree in arboriculture or closely related field; and
Five (5) years of experience in arboriculture; and
Certified Arborist with the International Society of Arboriculture is required.

Please note: College transcripts and any applicable certifications must be submitted with your application or separately to the City of Des Moines Human Resources Department by email to by fax to or by mail or hand delivery to 1200 Locust St Des Moines IA 50309 on or before the application deadline.

Required Special Qualifications

Possession of valid drivers license.
Candidates for positions in this class must pass a post-employment offer background check physical examination and drug screen.
Registered Consulting Arborist with the American Society of Consulting Arborists or Board Certified Master Arborist with the International Society of Arboriculture preferred.

Please Note: If possess an out-of-state Drivers License you are required to submit certified driving records. These records must be submitted to the City of Des Moines Human Resources Department by the application deadline. You may submit them electronically to by fax to or by mail to 1200 Locust St Des Moines IA 50309 by the application deadline date.

Examples of Essential Work (Illustrative Only)

Manages the Forestry Division of the Public Works Department.

Responsible for all city owned trees.
Works with other city departments on tree related matters.
Develops leads and maintains the Urban Forest Master Plan.
Acts as a liaison to varying Boards and Commissions including the DNR Trees Forever Tree City USA/Arbor Day ISU-Forestry Department Parks Board Planning and Zoning and Des Moines neighborhood Groups.
Performs planning data collection and reporting activities including a complete inventory of all city owned trees.
Makes presentations to various civic professional and other related groups on the care and maintenance of trees.
Recommends Capital Improvement Program projects and prepares monitors and recommends related expenditures.
Reviews site plans specifications contracts etc. for compliance with codes ordinances zoning etc. related to trees.
Oversees the Citys Tree Mitigation Ordinance and Policy.
Enforces City tree ordinances design design standards and municipal specifications; recommends changes to such when necessary through the appropriate approval process.
Inspects and reports on the need to treat trees for diseases parasites etc.
Manages and/or coordinates specific tree programs i.e. Oak Wilt Program Emerald Ash Borer program etc.
Develops and implements plans strategies and programs to conserve preserve and proliferate trees and urban forests.

Required Experience:

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