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Forester

Dept of Parks & Recreation · Queens · Full-time

$60,122 – $85,187 / yr

Posted until September 29, 2026 · posted July 31, 2026

$28.90/hr equivalent · $2,312 every 2 weeks, before taxes.

NYC minimum wage is $17/hr. This beats it by $11.90/hr, with health insurance and a pension on top.

Requirements

License or certificate

Exam

Civil service exam title

Where

Queens

Openings

16

Check yourself

What they actually ask for.

A license or certificate is part of the requirements

1. A master’s degree from an accredited college or university, with a specialization in forestry or a related subject, or; 2. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, with a specialization in forestry or a related subject and one year of full-time professional experience in forestry or arboricultural work or; 3. An associate degree from an accredited college or university, with a specialization in forestry or a related subject and three (3) years of full-time professional experience in forestry or arboricultural work or; 4. A satisfactory combination of education and/or experience equivalent to “1",”2", or “3" above. However, all candidates must have at least an associate degree with a specialization in forestry or a related subject. License Requirement A Motor Vehicle Driver License valid in the State of New York. This license must be maintained for the duration of your employment."

Quoted word for word from the official posting. The label above is ours, read from this text; if they disagree, this text wins.

The work

What the job is.

Outdoor work
Read the full description from the posting
The mission of the Environment and Planning Division is to protect, restore, expand and manage New York City’s natural spaces and green infrastructure. The division is responsible for citywide urban forestry, ecological and horticulture initiatives. Major Responsibilities • Under general supervision, perform advanced professional forestry functions in the field and office; perform related work. • Enforce Parks Department standards for tree pruning removal, planting and replacement. • Assess work to be done by contractors; engage with directly and supervise employees involved in professional forestry activities. • Consult with engineers, developers, and contractors on a regular basis throughout projects. • Schedule, conduct and/or supervise inspections and field surveys to assess tree health, structure, pests, diseases and construction impacts. • Compile and manage forestry contracts, including tree maintenance, removal, planting, sidewalk repair, invasive species removal and natural area restoration. • Review schedules, reports and correspondence prepared by consultants, contractors, and other agencies. Perform field inspections to assess contract compliance and work outcomes. • Review permit applications to assess impacts to trees and landscapes, advise applicants and agencies on designs and methods, and / or issue permits. • Manage forestry databases used to track, monitor, and produce reports on budgets, productivity, accomplishments and program status updates. • Respond to citizen inquiries and maintain working relationships with community boards, community groups and officials within and outside of the Agency. • Coordinate community-based greening efforts and lead tree stewardship workshops. Work Location: TBD How to Apply: Go to cityjobs.nyc.gov and search for Job ID# 788952. All applicants must apply via cityjobs.nyc.gov. The City is no longer using ESS to accept applications. *Current City Employees please include your ERN on your cover letter and resume. NOTE: All resumes must be received no later than the last day of the posting period. *Previous applicants to Job ID# 707115, Job ID# 724241, and Job ID# 775353 are still under consideration and need not reapply. References will be required upon request. Fees: Hired candidates will be subject to a processing fee between $40.00 to $101.00 based on the salary range of title. Hired candidates who are not currently employed by the City will be subject to a $104.50 background check fee. nyc.gov/parks MOVEMENT IN THE FACE OF CIVIL SERVICE LISTS IS PROHIBITED UNDER CIVIL SERVICE LAW. For information about applying for Civil Service Exams go to: Civil Service Exams - Department of Citywide Administrative Services (nyc.gov)
Preferred skills
Preference will be given to applicants who file and take the Forester Civil Service Examination (Exam No. 7036). The tentative filing period will begin September 02, 2026 and end on September 22, 2026. For details, visit www.nyc.gov/dcas and click on "Exam Schedules”. 1. Proficiency in Microsoft 365. 2. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Experience working with the public. 3. Ability to work independently.

Before you apply

The fine print.

Where you have to live
This position is exempt from NYC residency requirements.

Proof

Don't trust us. Trust .gov.

From NYC Open Data, as the city processed it on September 21, 2026. Postings change daily. Confirm on the official posting before you rely on anything here.

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