City Forester

City Forester

Salary

$46.44 - $58.86 Hourly

Location

Des Moines, IA

Job Type

Regular Full-Time

Job Number

X3317-09-2026

Department

Public Works

Division

PW245000 - PW Forestry

Opening Date

09/22/2026

Closing Date

10/20/2026 4:00 PM Central

FLSA

Exempt

Bargaining Unit

Non

Occupational Group

Civil Service

Location of Vacancy

Public Works

Recruitment

Entrance

Selection Method

Applicants deemed most qualified based on qualifications may be contacted for an interview. Driving Record Check: Driving records of qualified applicants will be reviewed. Applicants not meeting City driving standards will be eliminated from employment consideration. Qualified applicants who need a reasonable accommodation must inform this office at (515) 283-4213 or TTY at Iowa Relay at 711 or 1-800-735-2942, by the application deadline date.

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

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 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 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.

Click here for Benefit Summary

01

Do you have a bachelor's degree in arboriculture or closely related field? If yes, submittal of college transcripts showing degree conferred is required by application deadline in order to receive credit. Failure to do so may result in application disqualification. Please submit to the City of Des Moines Human Resources Department; 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.

• I understand college transcripts are required by the application deadline and have attached my transcripts to my application.
• I understand college transcripts are required by the application deadline and I have requested my transcripts.
• I have not taken college course work and do not have college transcripts to provide.

02

Do you currently have a valid Arborist Certification with the International Society of Arboriculture? If yes, submittal of certification is required by application deadline in order to receive credit. Failure to do so may result in application disqualification. Please submit to the City of Des Moines Human Resources Department; 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.

• Yes
• No

03

Are you a registered Consulting Arborist with the American Society of Consulting Arborists or Board Certified Master Arborist with the International Society of Arboriculture?

• Yes
• No

04

Describe your experience in arboriculture, including where this experience was obtained and the duration of this experience. If no experience, please indicate "N/A".

05

Describe your management and supervisory experience, including where this experience was obtained and the duration of this experience. If no experience, please indicate "N/A".

06

The City Forestry position requires you to engage with the public. Describe your experience engaging with the public and/or conducting trainings, including where this experience was obtained and the duration of this experience. If no experience, please indicate "N/A".

Required Question

Employer City of Des Moines

Address 1200 Locust St.

Des Moines, Iowa, 50309

Phone (515) 283-4213

Website http://www.dsm.city