URBAN FORESTRY INTERN

“TREES MAKE A DIFFERENCE!”

Are you currently enrolled in a college-level program related to urban forestry? Consider applying for this unique internship opportunity (Summer 2025) to participate in the City of Milwaukee’s urban greening activities!

The Urban Forestry Intern position is a fix term role with the City of Milwaukee.  Urban Forestry Interns work during the summer months, but may be eligible to return the following summer or to apply for transfer/ promotional opportunities within the City of Milwaukee prior to the completion of the internship.

Urban Forestry Interns participate in a variety of forestry work activities, including the chemical treatment of ash trees at risk for Emerald Ash Borer (EAB); manual labor associated with the planting and maintenance of trees, plants, and turf throughout the City of Milwaukee; and data collection and analysis, research, and other special projects.

FORESTRY WORK ACTIVITIES

• Work on a small crew performing chemical treatment of ash street trees at risk for EAB.
• Contact and disseminate information to residents who have ash trees on their property.
• Perform horticultural tasks involving the propagation, installation, maintenance, harvesting, and removal of trees, shrubs, flowers, ornamental grasses, and turf on City greenspaces and at the City of Milwaukee nursery and greenhouses.
• Operate specialized outdoor power equipment and power tools, including tree chippers, chainsaws, riding and push mowers, leaf blowers, and trimmers. Drive pickup truck and tractors.
• Use various hand tools, including shovels, pruners, hand tampers, handsaws, and wire cutters.

SPECIAL PROJECTS

• Collect and update street tree inventory data.
• Conduct research.
• Participate in community-based urban forestry programs.
• Assist with work task evaluations.

We welcome qualified individuals with disabilities who are interested in employment and will make reasonable accommodations during the hiring process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.

• Ability to work outdoors and withstand a wide range of weather conditions.
• Physical ability to perform moderate to heavy manual labor; ability to exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Physical ability to stand, walk, climb, crouch, crawl, push and pull, and perform repetitive motions.
• Ability to see and hear to be able to remain safe within constantly changing environments.
• Ability to wear personal protective equipment (PPE).

1. Current enrollment in a two-year (or four-year) college-level arboriculture, urban forestry, horticulture, or related program at an accredited college or university.
2. State of Wisconsin Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification (Category 3.0-Turf and Landscape) within 30 days of employment and throughout employment.
3. Valid State of Wisconsin Commercial Pesticide Applicator License within 30 days of employment and throughout employment (preferably at time of appointment).
4. Valid driver’s license and a good driving record at time of appointment and throughout employment.

NOTICE: Please do not attach your academic transcripts to your employment application. The hiring department will verify candidates’ education as part of the background screening process prior to extending any job offers.

• Knowledge of plant biology and the ability to assess and identify a variety of tree and plant species, common insect pests and diseases.
• Ability to read and understand policies, procedures, and self-study materials to meet certification requirements.
• Ability to learn to safely inject pesticides into City trees.
• Ability to learn to propagate, plant, maintain, and remove small trees, shrubs, flowers, and turf.
• Ability to work in a safe manner, following American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety regulations, rules, work practices, and procedures applicable to the landscape and arboriculture industry.
• Ability to learn to safely operate and drive vehicles and outdoor power equipment such as riding mowers, walk-behind mowers, small tractors, brush chippers, and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).
• Ability to learn to safely operate job-related power and hand-held equipment, including chainsaws, leaf blowers, and trimmers.
• Ability to learn the street tree inventory process and accurately input data.

COMMUNICATION AND INTERPERSONAL

• Ability to understand written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to maintain positive relationships supervisors and coworkers.
• Ability to work cooperatively and fairly with other employees in a crew environment, including people whose backgrounds may differ from one's own.
• Customer service skills; ability to show courtesy towards the public when performing field work.
• Ability to represent the department positively when participating in community-based urban forestry programs.

CRITICAL THINKING AND PROFESSIONALISM

• Organizational and time management skills to plan and accomplish work within deadlines.
• Ability to accurately complete daily activity reports and records.
• Ability to perform work in a safe manner and safeguard City equipment.
• Honesty, integrity, and responsible stewardship of City of Milwaukee resources.

The current hourly rate (Pay Range 9PN) is $19.06 and the incentive hourly rate for City of Milwaukee residents is $19.63.

THE SELECTION PROCESS will be job related and will consist of one or more of the following: an evaluation of education, experience and/or responses to supplemental questions; a written or performance test, a structured interview, or other assessment methods. The Department of Employee Relations reserves the right to call only the most qualified candidates to structured interviews and performance examinations. Structured interviews may include written exercises. Selection process component weights will be determined by further analysis of the job.

INITIAL FILING DATE - The selection process will be held as soon as practical after the deadline listed above. Receipt of applications may be discontinued at any time after this date without prior notice. However, recruitment may continue until the needs of the City have been met. Qualified applicants will be notified of the date, time, and place of the selection process components. Unless otherwise required by law, the City of Milwaukee will not provide alternative selection process dates or times. The applicant is responsible for attending all phases of the job selection process at the time and place designated by the City of Milwaukee.

· APPLICATIONS and further information may be accessed by visiting https://www.jobapscloud.com/MIL/.

· Applications should be submitted no later than the deadline listed above.

· If you would like assistance completing an application, please contact the Department of Employee Relations at (414) 286-3751 or staffinginfo@milwaukee.gov.

· The Department of Employee Relations is located in City Hall, 200 E Wells St, Room 706, Milwaukee, WI 53202.

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The City of Milwaukee values and encourages diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.