City Forester

Job Description

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 bachelor’s 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 humanresources@dmgov.org, by fax to 515-237-1680, 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 driver’s 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 Driver's 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 humanresources@dmgov.org, by fax to 515-237-1680, 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 City’s 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.

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Closing Date/Time: 10/20/2026 4:00 PM Central