Forester

Introduction

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.

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.

• 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.

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…