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City Forester - Open Competitive Exam

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City Forester - Open Competitive Exam

Salary

$89,474.00 - $121,517.00 Annually

Location

Rochester, NY

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

26EOC60054300

Department

Department of Environmental Services

Opening Date

12/05/2025

Closing Date

1/5/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Civil Service Exam Date

02/07/2026

+ Description

+ Benefits

General Description

This is a managerial position in the Department of Environmental Services involving responsibility for the direction and oversight of the City’s urban forestry activities. An incumbent in this title develops and implements programs related to tree maintenance and replacement throughout the City. An employee in this class works under general direction of a higher level manager and exercises supervision over City staff involved in forestry related activities. Performs related work as required.

Typical Work Activities

+ Plans, develops, and implements tree maintenance and replacement programs, including the selection and planting of trees and appropriate insect control and fertilization programs;

+ Identifies hazardous trees on both city-owned and private properties, and schedules for their removal;

+ Directs and coordinates employees involved in the inspection, planting, pruning, spraying, and removal of trees;

+ Oversees the on-going work and reviews the completed work of contracted forestry work to ensure adherence to negotiated terms;

+ Recommends policies and procedures for the Forestry Unit;

+ Reviews specifications related to contracted forestry services, equipment purchases, and tree stock and recommends bid awards;

+ Acts as a liaison between the Forestry Unit and other City departments, public agencies, and private entities;

+ Prepares reports on the Forestry Unit’s operations and activities and makes recommendations for potential operational efficiencies and improvements;

+ Assists in the preparation of the forestry units annual operating and capital budgets;

+ Implements City and Departmental safety policies by training staff engaged in forestry operations, regular inspections of activities, and regular meetings to discuss safety concerns;

+ Responds to inquiries from the general public concerning City forestry activities;

+ Educates staff and the general public on arboricultural and horticultural practices and issues;

+ Reviews and decides upon citizen requests for the planting of new trees on City owned tree lawns;

+ Coordinates staff, volunteers, and consultants in the updating of the City’s Urban Forestry Master Plan.

Minimum Qualifications

+ Bachelor's degree in Forestry, Arboriculture, Horticulture, or related field, plus three (3) years of experience in urban forestry, two (2) years of which must have been supervisory;

OR

+ Associate's degree in Forestry, Arboriculture, Horticulture, or related field, plus four (4) years of experience in urban forestry, two (2) years of which must have been supervisory.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

1) Valid Class D New York State Operator's License at time of appointment. Licensure must be maintained throughout employment in this title.

2) Eligibility for a New York State Pesticide Applicator's license.

3) Possession of a New York State Pesticide Applicator’s license within (6) six months of appointment.

Exam Information

Preparing written material

These questions test for the ability to present information clearly and accurately, and to organize paragraphs logically and comprehensibly. For some questions, you will be given information in two or three sentences, followed by four restatements of the information. You must then choose the best version. For other questions, you will be given paragraphs with their sentences out of order. You must then choose, from four suggestions, the best order for the sentences.

Tree felling, removing, spraying, and trimming

These questions test for knowledge of the principles and practices involved in pruning, trimming, felling, and removing trees; proper spraying procedures for applying pesticides; and safe operating procedures.

Tools, equipment, terminology, and safety practices related to the care and removal of trees

These questions test for knowledge of the proper use and maintenance of the various types of tools and equipment involved in the care and removal of trees, including safe operating practices.

Principles and practices of urban forestry

These questions test for knowledge of the principles and practices of urban forestry, including tree and shrub selection, planting, transplanting, cultivating, and maintenance; identification and treatment of growth and disease problems; identification of various types of urban trees, including their characteristics and site requirements; and knowledge of operating goals and considerations in the field of urban forestry.

Administrative techniques and practices

These questions test for a knowledge of management techniques and practices used in directing or assisting in directing a program component or an organizational segment. Questions cover such areas as interpreting policies, making decisions based on the context of the position in the organization, coordinating programs or projects, communicating with employees or the public, planning employee training, and researching and evaluating areas of concern.

For full-time employees:

The City of Rochester offers a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.

For less-than full-time employees:

The City of Rochester offers numerous growth opportunities to include the potential to transition into full-time, permanent employment.

Employer

City of Rochester (NY)

Address

30 Church Street Room 103A Rochester, New York, 14614

Phone

585-428-7115

Website

http://www.cityofrochester.gov

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