Forester I

Cantigny•Wheaton, IL

1d•$28 - $30•Onsite

About The Position

The Forester I is a climbing arborist responsible for caring for and maintaining more than 20,000 trees and shrubs across the 500-acre Cantigny Park and Cantigny Golf estate. Working with the Forestry Manager and Lead Forester, the Forester supports forestry and arboricultural operations, helps train seasonal personnel and forestry interns, and contributes to a safe, educational, and aesthetically pleasing visitor experience. The position also assumes landscape, trail, and production responsibilities through structured knowledge transfer from senior forestry staff and performs field work previously supported by contract labor. The role involves climbing and aerial-lift work, tree and shrub care, natural-area restoration, plant health care, holiday lighting, visitor engagement, event support, trail and landscape maintenance, and forestry yard organization. The Forester documents work and site conditions, maintains relevant certifications, and attends professional development events. Work includes outdoor field duties in varied terrain and weather, as well as some office work. Weekend, evening, holiday, and emergency on-call availability is required.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
At least three years of forestry, climbing/aerial-lift experience, or equivalent education.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with Horticulture staff and other departments.
Ability to lift and maneuver up to 50 pounds regularly and up to 100 pounds occasionally.
Ability to work outdoors in varied terrain and weather and to stand or kneel for up to eight hours per day.
Ability to perform heavy manual and semi-skilled tasks for extended periods.
Ability to communicate with the Forestry Manager, Lead Forester, and crew and understand written and verbal instructions.
Proficiency in the care and light maintenance of forestry equipment and tools.
Ability to climb trees up to 90 feet and perform work at height, and to use an aerial-lift truck.
Knowledge and ability to train staff in climbing techniques and equipment, including Static Rope System (SRS), Moving Rope System (MRS), aerial rescue, and rigging operations from height and from the ground.
Proficiency in operating forestry tools and equipment, including chainsaws, chippers, power pole saws, brush cutters, stump grinders, wood splitters, and aerial-lift trucks.
Proficiency in, or willingness to be trained in, horticulture heavy equipment, including backhoes, skid steers, mini skid steers, articulated loaders, tractors and their attachments, and snow-removal equipment.
Availability to work weekends, evenings, and holidays, including on-call availability for storm damage and emergencies.
Ability to obtain CPR/First Aid certification within 12 months.
Ability to obtain an Illinois pesticide operator/applicator license within six months, if needed.
Valid driver's license or ability to obtain one within six months.

Nice To Haves

Associate of Applied Science degree in horticulture or a related field, or equivalent hands-on field experience.
ISA Certified Arborist credential.
Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) certification.
Illinois Pesticide Operators/Applicators License.
Bilingual English/Spanish skills.
Experience leading and participating in resource management burns.

Responsibilities

Perform work at height as a primary climber and aerial-lift operator, including pruning, removing hazardous or broken branches, rigging, and whole-tree removal in accordance with ANSI Z133.
Care for and maintain trees, hedges, and shrubs at Cantigny Park and Cantigny Golf, including pruning, watering, mulching, spraying pesticides when applicable, air spading, and tree removal in accordance with ANSI A300 practices.
Build collaborative relationships with colleagues and external partners and adjust assigned tasks to support associated events.
Follow and enforce PPE and equipment safety requirements for tree-work operations and operate equipment in accordance with ANSI Z133 and OSHA standards.
Participate in the Forestry Department safety committee, including coordinating and training Horticulture staff on general safety guidelines and safe equipment operation.
Help rejuvenate Cantigny natural areas through long-term monitoring, invasive-species removal, controlled burns, and reintroduction of appropriate native species.
Execute the Plant Health Care program under senior staff supervision; assess plant health and site conditions, diagnose issues, determine corrective actions, and make informed pesticide-use decisions.
Install, dismantle, and store Cantigny Park holiday lighting, including work from trees, aerial lifts, or ladders.
Engage with park guests at planned events and answer questions while working in the park.
Support Horticulture and Visitor Services with tasks that contribute to special events.
Maintain the woodchip trail, landscape beds, and tree rings.
Learn and assume landscape, trail, and production management responsibilities through structured knowledge transfer from senior forestry staff.
Perform landscape, trail, and production work previously supported by contract labor, maintaining quality, safety, and schedule reliability.
Document completed work, site conditions, and procedures in the GIS tree inventory and department standard operating procedures.
Help manage the Forestry storage yard by organizing materials, equipment, pallets, and the work area to maintain safe traffic flow.
Attend workshops, seminars, and conferences, and maintain ISA Arborist Certification, a Pesticide Applicator License, and other certifications as assigned.
Coordinate assigned projects with seasonal personnel and forestry interns and direct ground personnel during work at height.
Perform other assigned duties, which may include event setup and breakdown, drainage installation, reclaimed-lumber restoration, or assisting other departments with heavy equipment.