Full Time Urban Forester Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $41,600.00 - $56,721.60 Annually
Location : Urban Forestry, 810 Forest Lawn Drive, VA
Job Type: Full-Time Permanent
Job Number: 29M00000728
Department: Public Works
Division: Urban Forestry
Opening Date: 08/10/2026
Closing Date: 8/24/2026 12:00 AM Eastern
Are you Richmond R.E.A.D.Y? Respect. Equity. Accountability. Diversity...YOU!!!
This is an EXCITING time to Join the City of Richmond! We are committed to nurturing talent, fostering growth opportunities, and building strong connections within our workforce. As we continue to make strides to becoming the employer of choice, we are thrilled about the below employee benefit enhancements:

• Virginia Retirement System (VRS)
• Language Incentive
• Referral Bonus
• Tuition Assistance Program

Description
The City of Richmond Department of Public Works is seeking highly qualified candidates to fill multiple Maintenance Worker positions in the Urban Forestry. Selected candidates will be expected to work a scheduled shift of Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Incumbents assigned to tree maintenance serve as trainees in the maintenance of City trees by operating a cherry picker or bucket truck to remove dead/dying trees or interfering branches; climbing trees to perform maintenance; planting trees; spraying trees for insect and disease control; and operating equipment such as a chainsaw, stump-grinder, chipper, tandem dump truck and hand and power tools.
Duties include but are not limited to

• Performing routine grounds and maintenance tasks of designated areas of responsibility
• Completing tasks that require walking, lifting, pulling and pushing various items to include bulk and brush
• Assisting other personnel in performing various tasks and special projects as required
• Operating a variety of light machines and equipment
• Safely and efficiently controlling traffic in work zones
• Assisting with snow removal as needed
• Performing other related duties as assigned

Qualifications, Special Certifications and Licenses
MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

• Education sufficient for satisfactory job performance
• No prior work experience
• An equivalent combination of training and experience (as approved by the department) may be used to meet the minimum qualifications of the classification

PREFERRED TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

• High school diploma or GED preferred
• One (1) year of work experience preferred

LICENSING, CERTIFICATIONS, and OTHER SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Requires a valid driver's License with a satisfactory driving record and a valid Commonwealth of Virginia driver's license within 30 days of hire

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
TYPICAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: These are a representative sample; position assignments may vary.
Knowledge (some combination of the following):

• Equipment and tools in area of focus
• Working knowledge of cleaning materials and equipment
• Chemicals needed for proper floor maintenance
• Instructions for safety and accident prevention
• Minor first aid
• Operating instructions for cleaning equipment and materials
• OSHA standards; safety and accident prevention
• Proper time to change and clean equipment

Skills (some combination of the following):

• Assisting skilled trades by providing support services
• Communicating
• Interacting positively
• Learning and practicing acceptable methods
• Listening and following directions
• Maintaining the cleanliness of assigned facilities and grounds
• Picking up and carrying heavy objects
• Reading and documenting work via daily logs
• Stripping floors
• Using equipment properly
• Operating and driving a dump truck if area of focus
• Working outdoors in adverse weather conditions
• Oral and written communication
• Customer service

Abilities (some combination of the following):

• Pay attention to detail
• Make decisions
• Self-start

Americans with Disabilities Act Requirements
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.
ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS: Working conditions may include exposure to travel to other locations within the City of Richmond as well as outside of the City of Richmond; exposure to hazardous physical conditions such as mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibrations, etc.; atmospheric conditions such as fumes, odors, dusts, gases, and poor ventilation; inadequate lighting; intense noise; and environmental hazards such as disruptive people, imminent danger, and a threatening environment.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT: Due to the nature of work assignments, incumbents must be able to perform detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks, with frequent interruptions and under time constraint. The essential duties of this classification may require the ability to regularly stand, walk, push, lift, grasp, hear, see, and perform repetitive motions; frequently balance, stoop, crouch, reach, pull, finger, feel, and talk; and occasionally climb, kneel, and crawl. The working conditions may include environmental hazards. In terms of the physical strength to perform the essential duties, this classification is considered to be medium work, exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The City of Richmond provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
The City of Richmond is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, the City of Richmond will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations. If you require reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to participate in the job application and/or the interview process, please contact Veronica Kenner, by email at HR-ADA@rva.gov.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
The City of Richmond Values Veterans. We are an official V3 Certified Company.
The City of Richmond is a proud partner with the US Army Partnership for Your Success PaYS Program.
With over 4,000 employees, the City of Richmond is an "Employer of Choice" among cities throughout the nation. The City strives to hire and retain employees who bring dedication and talent to the workforce. Offering a competitive, cost effective, and quality benefits package is one element of an "Employer of Choice".
The City offers a full range of benefit programs from initial hire through retirement. Please visit our Web site for details.
01
10-point compensable veteran. You must have an existing compensable service-connected disability of 10 percent or more. Other 10-point veteran include disabled veteran or a veteran who was awarded the Purple Heart for wound or injuries received in action, veteran's widow or widower who has not remarried, wife or husband of a veteran who has a service-connected disability, widowed, divorced or separated mother of an ex-service son or daughter who died in action, or who is totally and permanently disabled. Do any of these apply?

• Yes
• No

02
5-point veteran's must have been discharged under honorable conditions and had one of the following:Active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States, in a war, or during the period 4/28/52-7/1/55 or active duty for more than 180 consecutive days other than for training, any part of which occurred during the period beginning 2/1/55 and 10/14/76 or active duty during the Gulf War sometime between 8/2/90 - 1/2/92 or active duty in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized or active duty for which more than 180 consecutive days other than for training, any part of which occurred during the period beginning 9/11/2001 and ending on the date prescribed by the Presidential proclamation or by the law as the last date of operation Iraqi Freedom. Do any of these apply?

• Yes
• No

03
Which best describes your highest level of education?

• Education sufficient to perform the duties of the position
• High school diploma/GED
• Some college
• Associate's degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree or higher

04
Do you have a current and valid driver's license or the ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire?

• Yes
• No
• No, but able to obtain within six (6) months of hire

05
Which best describes your years of experience working as a maintenance worker or general laborer?

• Less than one year of experience
• One to two years of experience
• Three to four years of experience
• Five or more years of experience

06
Which best describes your years of experience providing assistance to skilled trades personnel?

• Less than one year of experience
• One to two years of experience
• Three to four years of experience
• Five or more years of experience

07
This position is considered essential personnel. Are you willing and available to work during times of declared emergencies, inclement weather, and outside of normal work hours when required?

• Yes
• No

Required Question