Service Area: Public Services
Department: Parks
Work Location: Parks, 69 Marilyn Drive
Work Mode: In Person
Job Type and Duration: Permanent, Full Time Vacancy
Number of Open Positions: 1
Salary Range: $42.91 - $52.66 per hour
Affiliation: CUPE Local 973
Posting Period: January 23, 2026 to February 9, 2026 11:59 p.m.

Why Join the City of Guelph?

When you join the City of Guelph, you join a team of over 2000 employees who deliver services the community relies on every day. Together, we are bringing to life Guelph’s vision of an inclusive, connected, and prosperous city where we look after each other and our environment. As a single tier municipality, we offer a variety of occupations and career specialities within our organization. Guided by the goals and objectives of the Future Guelph: Strategic Plan and committed to the Corporate Values of integrity, service, inclusion, wellness and learning, the candidate will aid in the achievement of the Community Vision for an inclusive, connected, prosperous city.

What we offer

We offer competitive wages and comprehensive benefits to meet the needs of our diverse employees. Many of our positions offer:

• Paid vacation days, increasing with years of service
• Paid personal days;
• Hybrid and flexible work arrangements;
• Defined benefit pension plan with OMERS, including 100-per-cent employer matching;
• Extended health and dental benefits, including Health Care Spending Account;
• Employee and Family Assistance Program;
• Parental leave top up program;
• Learning and development opportunities including tuition assistance
• Employee recognition programs.

Applications are being accepted for the position of Urban Forester within the Parks Department. Reporting to the Program Manager of Forestry and Sustainable Landscapes, this role plays a critical part in advancing the City’s Urban Forest Management Plan and One Canopy Tree Planting Strategy. The Urban Forester provides technical expertise, strategic input, and operational support that directly influences the health, resilience, and long-term sustainability of Guelph’s urban forest. The successful candidate will support the administration and enforcement of the Private Land Tree Protection By-Law, provide expert guidance on tree-related matters, and oversee contractor and consultant performance. This position also plays a key role in maintaining the urban forest inventory, monitoring forest health, and developing technical documentation and specifications. With a strong emphasis on collaboration, community engagement, and cross-departmental integration, this is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of Guelph’s urban forest and contribute to a greener, healthier, and more resilient city. Guided by the goals and objectives of the City of Guelph Corporate Strategic Plan and committed to the Corporate Values of integrity, service, inclusion, wellness and learning, the candidate will aid in the achievement of the Community Vision for an inclusive, connected, prosperous city.

Key duties and responsibilities

• Provide technical expertise and strategic input to support the Urban Forest Management Plan and One Canopy Tree Planting Strategy.
• Administration and support of enforcement of the Private Land Tree Protection By-Law, including permit review, compliance monitoring, and promoting stewardship.
• Provide technical guidance and support for tree related matters including design review, inspections, assumption process, warranty and maintaining and updating Guelph’s Tree Technical manual.
• Participate in procuring and managing project consultants, including developing project Terms of Reference and deliverables.
• Oversee contractor performance and compliance for forestry-related services, including planting, maintenance, removals, and forest health treatments.
• Conduct site inspections and respond to service requests and citizen inquiries with professionalism and sound judgment.
• Coordinate consent and approvals related to work on city and boundary trees.
• Monitor forest health and coordinate data collection and analysis to identify emerging threats such as pests, diseases, and environmental stressors.
• Collaborate with internal departments and external stakeholders to integrate urban forestry into planning and development processes.
• Coordinate updates to the Urban Forest Study, Tree Technical Manual and development of new UFMP initiatives. This includes preparing and maintaining technical documentation, specifications, and supporting materials for associated programs and initiatives.
• Maintain and update the urban forest inventory, including species composition, spatial distribution, and condition assessments.
• Provide subject matter expertise to support operational planning, cross-functional projects, and community engagement initiatives.
• Support tree-related communications and outreach, including public education and stewardship activities.
• Support tree-related communications including website updates, residential notification, and other tactics.
• Support technical and budgetary reporting to Senior Management Team, Council, and other internal and external stakeholders.
• Support emergency response efforts related to tree hazards and storm events.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications and requirements

• Experience related to the duties listed above, normally acquired through the completion of a University degree in Urban Forestry, Forestry or related field), plus 3–4 years of urban forestry management experience, preferably in a municipal setting. Candidates with an equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
• Membership in Ontario Professional Foresters Association and/or ISA Certified Arborist.
• Expertise in urban forest management, including policy implementation, and long term planning.
• Proficiency in contractor oversight, project management, and procurement processes.
• Experience developing, leading, and reporting on budgeting activities.
• Must possess a Class G licence with a good driving record. Successful candidates will be required to provide a current driver’s abstract prior to their start date to confirm their license is held in good standing and that it has not been suspended or revoked under the Highway Traffic Act (HTA) or Criminal Code of Canada in the last 5 years. The City of Guelph will take into consideration the number of demerit points and/or nature of the infractions to determine if it meets our requirements.
• Strong understanding of tree biology, site conditions, and ecological interactions.
• Advanced field skills in dendrology, tree risk assessment, and forest health diagnostics.
• Proficiency in GIS, database systems, and mobile data collection tools.
• Proven ability to develop technical documents, specifications, and operational plans.
• ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification, an asset.
• Ability to read construction plans and related reports and to evaluate the impact of proposed construction on regulated trees and natural areas.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Collaborative, solution-oriented, and customer-focused approach.
• Knowledge of the Occupational Health & Safety Act and relevant municipal regulations.

Hours of work
35 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required for meetings, community events, or storm response.

How to apply
Qualified applicants are invited to apply using our online application system by February 9, 2026. Please note all applicants must complete the online questionnaire specific to this position at the time they submit their resume and cover letter in order to be considered.

Hiring Process Transparency
The City of Guelph is committed to fair and transparent recruitment practices. Candidates who participate in an interview for this position will be notified of the hiring decision within 45 days of their interview. Notifications will be provided in writing, or through technology.

Commitment to Diversity & Accessibility
The City of Guelph is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where employees feel welcome, valued and engaged. Our employment policies strictly prohibit all forms of discrimination on any of the grounds in relevant laws. All employment practices are solely based on individual merit, qualifications, and organization's needs at the time. In keeping with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, we are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals in our job application procedures. If you need an accommodation in order to participate in the hiring process, you may contact us to make your needs known in advance.

Privacy Notice
Personal information collected through the recruitment process will be used solely to determine eligibility for employment. We thank all candidates in advance; however, only those being considered for an interview will be contacted.