Urban Forestry Intern

“TREES MAKE A DIFFERENCE!”

Are you currently enrolled in a college-level program related to urban forestry? Are you interested in learning more about urban forestry and tree climbing systems?  Consider applying for this unique internship opportunity (Summer 2026) to participate in the City of Milwaukee’s urban greening activities!

The Urban Forestry Intern position is a fixed-term role.  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 before 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, plant, and turf throughout the City of Milwaukee.  Urban Forestry Interns assist in data collection and 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.
• Perform horticultural tasks involving the propagation, installation, maintenance, harvesting and removal of trees, shrubs, flowers, ornamental grasses and turf on City green spaces 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 trucks and tractors.
• Use various hand tools, including shovels, pruners, hand tampers, handsaw, and wire cutters.
• Work with code enforcement staff to learn about local ordinances, hazardous tree assessment and community outreach.

Special Projects

• Collect and update street tree inventory data.
• Conduct research.
• Participate in community-based urban forestry programs.

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.

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).

The Preplacement medical requirements for this title include:

• Physical with lift test
• Audiogram
• Vision
• Non-DOT drug test

Minimum Requirements

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 the 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, 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 inject pesticides into City trees safely.
• Ability to learn to propagate, plant, maintain, and remove small trees, shrubs, flowers and turf.
• Ability to work safely, 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 with 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 safely 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 the incentive hourly rate for City of Milwaukee residents is $19.63.