Urban Forestry Canopy Analyst

Posting number: 2026-00588

Department: PRCR - Business Process Mgmt

Job classification: Analyst - 25 Hours

Posting type: Open

Categories: Urban Forestry, Forestry

Summary

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Are you interested in a position where you can make a meaningful impact on Raleigh’s tree canopy by helping meet planting goals and advancing community coordination? The City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department (Raleigh Parks) is seeking qualified candidates for the Urban Forestry Division Canopy Analyst position. The Canopy Analyst will help support Urban Forestry and community tree planting goals including the 24,000 trees by 2032 campaign to help address canopy, urban heat, stormwater mitigation and air and water quality concerns.

About You:
The successful candidate will work closely with peers, partners, and community members to help deliver on tree planting initiatives, perform community outreach and may serve as a team lead for specific initiatives and events. The successful candidate will need to be organized, detail-oriented, a creative problem-solver, and a strong communicator who is passionate about trees and community development.

About Us:
This position offers the opportunity to work for a nationally recognized organization in a growing, creative, diverse city. The Raleigh Parks system boasts approximately 10,000 acres, including 220 parks and open spaces; 120 miles of greenway trails; 4 lakes; and 4 nature preserves; We have over 425 full-time staff and employ nearly 1,800 part-time and seasonal staff annually during peak spring, summer, and fall seasons. We are home to several prominent universities and world-class cultural institutions. The City of Raleigh seeks to protect and manage the urban forest and prioritizes equitable access to greenspaces and healthy community experiences. Our parks, centers, and cultural programming are in the DNA of our evolving city.

Examples of dutiesThe intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

• Helps develop and implement strategies related to the 24,000 trees for 2032 campaign
• Assists PRCR staff, volunteers, and external partners in on-the-ground implementation of tree planting initiatives using a variety of tools and techniques 
• This includes tree planting site evaluation/tracking, tree procurement, citizen communication and planting
• Works with non-profit and community partners to enhance and develop relationships to help implement tree planting and community education goals
• Works with internal PRCR staff to develop an internal funding program for the community to advance tree planting goals on private property
• Contributes to the development and delivery of educational public outreach campaigns, programs, presentations, and/or informative literature (i.e., flyers, brochures, newsletters, signage, etc.) to help inform Raleigh citizens on the benefits of trees and tree planting education
  
• Performs other duties as required

QualificationsEducation and Experience:
Bachelors Degree in a Natural Resources-related field of study such as Biology, Ecology, Forestry, Natural Resource Management, Horticulture, or similar field directly related to assignment;

OR 

An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.
 
Licensing and Certifications: 

• Valid North Carolina Driver's Class C license with a satisfactory driving record, or ability to obtain within 60 days of hire.     

Preferred Qualifications: 

• International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist 
• One year of professional experience in field directly related to assignment
  

Supplemental informationKnowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Common urban tree species and their characteristics of the SE United States
• Tree planting and care
• GPS/GIS and the utilization of related field technology
• Working with a variety of stakeholders including government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and/or public groups
• Managing stakeholder interests
• Developing informational and educational materials with the goal of educating the public on tree planting
• Authoring and editing detailed reports and documents
• Conflict resolution, negotiation strategies, consensus building and community outreach 
  

ADA and Other Requirements

Work Environment and Physical Effort:
Heavy: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Work Environment:
Work is typically performed in an office or similar indoor environment, an outdoor environment, a street environment, a construction site, and a vehicle.

Working Exposures:
Employees will often be exposed to loud noises (85+ decibels average such as trucks, jack hammers, leaf blowers, lawn mowers, construction). Employees may occasionally be exposed to individuals who are hostile or irate, moving mechanical parts.

City of Raleigh is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. Accommodations for individuals with disabilities are provided upon request.