Green Jobs
Forester
$60,122 to $85,187 a year
Posted until September 29, 2026 · posted July 31, 2026
Requirements
License or certificate
Exam
Competitive title
A job title where you show you are right for it by passing a competitive exam: multiple-choice, practical, education and experience, or a mix. On our job pages this shows as "Civil service exam title".
From ≈ $28.90 an hour · $2,312 every 2 weeks, before taxes (40-hour weeks).
NYC minimum wage is $17/hr. This beats it by $11.90/hr, with health insurance and a pension on top.
What you'd have made
$2,304 If you'd started this job 2 weeks ago, at this pay, before taxes.
An hour of this job pays for about 9.6 subway rides ($3 fare).
Price anything in hours of this job
Overtime added $472 on average that year, and it isn't guaranteed. Base salary of active employees paid a yearly rate, fiscal year 2025 (July 2024 to June 2025). Source: NYC's payroll data
Check yourself
What they actually ask for.
A license or certificate is part of the requirements
- A master’s degree from an accredited college or university, with a specialization in forestry or a related subject, or;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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.
Read the rest of the requirements
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.
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Fieldwork or outdoors
“Under general supervision, perform advanced professional forestry functions in the field and office; perform related work.”
Read from the posting. Tap one to see the line it came from.
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
Read the rest, from the posting
- 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)
Skills they'd like
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”.
All the skills they list
- Proficiency in Microsoft 365.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Experience working with the public.
- Ability to work independently.
Before you apply
The fine print.
Where you have to live
This position is exempt from NYC residency requirements.
Sources
Straight from the city.
Updated every day from the city's job data (last city update September 21, 2026). You apply through the official posting.
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