Community Forester

Hennepin County•Downtown Minneapolis, MN

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Hennepin County’s Environment and Energy Department is hiring an urban and community forester for a limited-duration, grant-funded position expected to last up to two years. The role supports projects funded by the USDA Forest Service and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), helping strengthen the county’s tree canopy and environmental resilience. The position is hybrid, with work in the field and at the department’s Minneapolis office. Typical hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Employees must reside in or relocate to Minnesota or Wisconsin. The forester assesses trees on private properties, works with homeowners and contractors, supports tree replacement and planting, and develops data-driven insights and federally mandated grant reports. The role also engages residents and partner organizations through public meetings, educational programming, and collaborative planning. This position is internally classified as an Environmentalist.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in physical or natural sciences, environmental health, industrial hygiene, public health, engineering, public or business administration, or a closely related field, plus six months of experience in work related to the assignment; alternatively, related education and experience totaling four years and six months.
Valid driver’s license and ability to obtain a Hennepin County driver’s permit.

Nice To Haves

Experience coordinating community engagement and forestry-related programs with local government partners.
Experience in urban and community forestry, including planning, participating in, and leading forestry projects.
Experience with technical arboriculture, including chainsaw operation, pruning, planting, removals, and climbing.
Experience conducting tree inspections or canopy assessments for general health, infestations, diseases, and structural issues.
Experience overseeing tree and landscaping contractors.
Experience collaborating with diverse communities to co-develop strategies addressing forestry or other environmental issues.
Knowledge of Microsoft Word, spreadsheet applications, GIS tools, and tree inventory management software.
Strong problem-solving, time-management, communication, and writing skills.
Excellent organizational abilities and proven project management skills.
Ability to manage multiple active projects.
Ability to communicate effectively with staff at all organizational levels, external partners, and diverse county residents, including preparing clear verbal and written presentations.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, coworkers, and other professionals, including teams with diverse backgrounds, knowledge, and expertise.

Responsibilities

Participate in planning efforts and collaborate with residents, municipalities, state agencies, educational institutions, volunteer groups, and other organizations in support of IRA grant activities.
Meet with homeowners seeking diseased-tree removal assistance; assess affected trees and determine eligibility by verifying species, evaluating tree health and structural integrity, and identifying diseases or infestations.
Inventory trees and associated issues.
Work with applicants to select replacement trees and planting locations, and reinspect newly planted trees.
Develop, use, and update GIS databases and maps in collaboration with county GIS staff.
Create work orders based on inspection information.
Monitor and report contractor performance to the contract manager.
Record and compile data for federally mandated metrics.
Engage the community through public meetings and educational programming.
Support tree planting and maintenance efforts and collaborate with residents, municipal staff, green jobs providers, Forestry Pathway Productive Day crews, and Sentencing to Service program leaders and participants.
Complete biannual grant reporting.