URBAN FORESTRY INTERN

Introduction

TREES MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Are you currently enrolled in a college-level programrelated to urban forestry? Consider applying for this unique internshipopportunity (Summer 2025) to participate in the City of Milwaukee’s urbangreening activities!

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

Purpose

Urban Forestry Interns participate in a variety of forestrywork activities, including the chemical treatment of ash trees at risk for EmeraldAsh Borer (EAB);

manual labor associated with the planting and maintenance oftrees, plants, and turf throughout the City of Milwaukee; and data collectionand analysis, research, and other special projects.

Essential Functions

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 areinterested in employment and will make reasonable accommodations during thehiring process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA)of 2008.

Conditions of Employment

• 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).

Minimum Requirements

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

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

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Other Characteristics

TECHNICAL

• 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.

Current Salary

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