Forestry Supervisor

4 months ago


De Pere, Wisconsin, United States City of De Pere Full time

General Description

Whether you are joining our team for three years or twenty, you will have the opportunity to grow your career with us Our employees are offered the opportunity to enhance their skill set by attending training courses, working on special projects, and becoming a member of one of our many City Teams. De Pere, consistently ranked as one of the best places to live in Wisconsin, is a safe, warm, and friendly community located right along the Fox River less than ten minutes from Green Bay and 25 minutes from Appleton and the Fox Valley.

De Pere is an integral part of the Green Bay metro area, which was ranked as the #1 place to live in the United States for 2023. As an employer, the City of De Pere is a positive, team-oriented organization with a commitment to providing exceptional customer service to its community.

The City of De Pere provides an engaging work environment focused on collaboration and team building. De Pere strives to attract, develop, and retain diverse talent by promoting a diversity of thought, valuing differing perspectives, and empowering employees to share their authentic viewpoints at all levels and functions within the City. Check out what our employees have to say.

The City of De Pere is seeking a Forestry Supervisor. This position is responsible for the professional, technical, and supervisory work directing the field operations of the Forestry Division including the scheduling and supervision of permanent and seasonal staff. The Forestry Supervisor also serves as the City's Forester and is responsible for interacting with the public, staff, and elected officials on behalf of the Forestry Division.

The typical work schedule is Monday

  • Thursday, 6:00 a.m.
  • 3:30 p.m. and Friday 6:00 a.m.
  • 10:00 a.m. plus additional hours as required.

However, the City of De Pere recognizes the importance of its employees having a proper work-life balance and supports alternative work arrangements which include alternative work schedules and flexible scheduling to help meet your lifestyle needs. In addition, new employees receive three weeks of vacation time and four floating holidays per year beginning on the first day of work (prorated the first year). Salary: The full salary range for this position is $ $47.20 per hour, plus excellent benefits package.

The anticipated starting salary is $ $39.65 per hour, depending on qualifications. The City of De Pere rewards employees for exceptional work performance with a pay for performance incentive program. Employees may be awarded a salary increase, bonus, or paid time off for exceptional work performance.

Employees will be automatically enrolled in the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS), a pension plan to help provide for financial security during retirement, which consists of employer and employee required contributions. Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: The City of De Pere is a qualifying employer under the PSLF Program. The PSLF Program is a federal program that is intended to encourage individuals to work in public service by forgiving the balance of their federal student loans.

To qualify, the individual must have made 120 qualifying payments while employed by a qualifying employer. For more information about the PSLF program: Selection Process: Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and a formal review of all applications will start on approximately June 17, 2024. This announcement will remain posted, and we will continue to accept applications until the City reaches an agreement with one finalist.

The City is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with state and federal law, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Employees needing reasonable accommodation should discuss the request with the employee's supervisor or Human Resources.



Essential Functions

Manage and maintain the City's urban forest to ensure a healthy and vibrant environment. Prepare and plan the daily work schedules of and manage the forestry staff of the Department. Interview and select new employees.

Coordinate and provide training, instructions, and ongoing training needs. Assign tasks, review work, and prepare performance evaluations. Provide staff coaching/counseling.

Oversee day-to-day operations of field work related to maintaining the City's urban forest. Assist arborists with field work as needed. Assist Park Superintendent in establishing work priorities.

Safely and effectively use all vehicles and equipment necessary for urban forest operations. Ensure staff are properly trained in forestry operations to include pruning, removals, and planting. Ensure staff are properly trained in the operations and maintenance of vehicles and equipment to include chain saws, aerial lift trucks, chipper, stump grinder, tractor, and other pieces of equipment essential to forestry operations.

Ensure staff are properly trained in various forestry techniques including properly felling trees, roping, etc. Respond in a professional manner to resident requests and concerns. Responsible for the management and oversight of the City's tree database.

Diagnose tree health and record in City's tree database. Diagnose tree diseases and other issues and report to Park Superintendent. Inspect and ensure contractors' work is done in accordance with industry standards.

Responsible for the development, management and scheduling of the City's tree planting program which allows residents to purchase trees and plant trees in the terrace. Coordinate and participate in the hanging and removal of banners and street decorations within the downtown districts and Street Right of

Way. Coordinate and participate in the hanging and removal of decorative baskets in the Street Right of

Way. Responsible for following the City's Arboricultural Specifications Manual. Assist with oversight and management of snow and ice removal efforts in conjunction with the Park Superintendent and Street Department.

Perform various park maintenance activities as assigned. Maintain prompt, predictable, and reliable attendance. Maintain the ability to lawfully operate a motor vehicle.

Perform other duties as assigned.


Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of safe operation of industry specific equipment including chippers, chainsaws, stump grinder, aerial lift, material handler, and other related equipment. Knowledge of the operation and maintenance requirements of the equipment and trucks used in tree removal. Thorough knowledge of tree, shrub, insect and disease identification.

Thorough knowledge of safety practices. Knowledge of standard office practices and procedures including business English, business document format, spelling, grammar, punctuation, vocabulary, filing, and math. Knowledge of computer software consistent for this position.

Skill and understanding of rope and saddle climbing, use of climbing gaffs (spurs), modern climbing and rigging tools/techniques. Skill in the use and care of ropes, knots, climber hooks, riggings, and tools commonly used in tree pruning and removal operations. Ability to climb and work in trees at excessive heights, sometimes in precarious positions.

Ability to work in varying weather conditions which may be excessive heat, wind, cold, rain and ice. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with business representatives, elected officials, department heads, the general public, and other City employees with courtesy and tact. Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with staff and the public.

Ability to work the required hours of the position including the ability to respond to after-hours call-ins as needed. May be required to demonstrate minimum competency by successfully passing approved tests.


Minimum Requirements & Physical Requirements

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: Associate Degree in Forestry, Arboriculture, or related field required. Bachelor's degree preferred.

Minimum of three to five years related experience, including supervisory experience. Arborist Certification by the International Society of Arboriculture within one year of employment. Experience working safely in high places, and general laborer work.

Prior experience in the operation of light equipment. Valid unencumbered Wisconsin Class "B" Commercial Driver's License, with air brake restriction lifted, "N" (tank vehicle) endorsement and safe driving record. A combination of education and experience may be considered.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job: Exposed to all outside environments, including varying weather conditions, excessive heights, and high noise levels. Movement on uneven surfaces. Contact with grease, oils, fumes, and gases.

Work with moving objects and vehicles. Ability to sit, stand, walk, kneel, crouch, stoop, squat, crawl, twist, climb, push, pull, and lift up to 120 lbs. regularly.

Repeated bending, kneeling, reaching, and climbing, manual dexterity required, adequate vision, hearing, and speech. Must be able to operate assigned equipment. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.