Planner/Urban Forester/City Aborist

City of Greensboro, NC; Greensboro (NC); On-site; USD 54,000 - 81,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Greensboro is seeking a seasoned Planner / Urban Forester / City Arborist to manage city code, the Land Development Ordinance, long-range and community planning, and specialized planning responsibilities. This senior position blends planning with urban forestry expertise to shape Greensboro's built and natural environments.

You'll engage with residents, developers, officials, and staff to translate policy into practical solutions, review development questions, and advance projects

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry and Natural Resources.
• 7–9 years of related professional experience.
• Valid North Carolina driver's license.
• Registered Forester through the NC Board of Registration for Foresters.
• Certified Arborist through the ISA.
• Registered Landscape Architect through the NC Board of Landscape Architects.
• Completion of Foundations of Supervision within six months of hire.
• Tree risk assessment qualifications (preferred).
• ISA Certification (preferred).
• Licensed Pesticide Applicator through NC Department of Agriculture (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Work on complex planning projects and assignments involving City code, including the Land Development Ordinance.
• Act as Plan Review and Tracking Coordinator for landscape and tree conservation plans.
• Support long-range and community planning initiatives.
• Apply advanced professional knowledge to planning projects and departmental responsibilities.
• Review and interpret planning requirements and help address complex development and zoning questions.
• Work with residents, zoning applicants, appointed officials, City staff, and other stakeholders.
• Communicate technical information clearly to audiences with different levels of planning knowledge.
• Provide professional guidance and subject-matter expertise to the Planning Department and other City departments.
• Contribute to community plans and other long-range planning efforts.
• Apply urban forestry, arboriculture, landscape, or other specialized expertise to defined departmental responsibilities.

Skills

Leadership & supervision

Communication

Urban planning

Public engagement

Policy analysis

Education

Bachelor of Science in Forestry and Natural Resources

7–9 years of related professional experience

Valid North Carolina driver's license

Registered Forester

Certified Arborist

Registered Landscape Architect

Foundations of Supervision within six months

Job description

Planner / Urban Forester / City Arborist

Department: Planning

Job Type: Active Full-Time

Hiring Salary Range: $54,102–$80,708

FLSA: Exempt

Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., with some evenings possible

Shape Greensboro's Future—One Plan, One Place, One Tree at a Time

Greensboro is growing, and the decisions we make today will shape the places where people live, work, gather, and connect for generations to come.

The City of Greensboro is seeking an experienced Planner / Urban Forester / City Arborist to bring advanced professional expertise to complex planning, code, urban forestry, and community development work. This is a senior-level opportunity for someone who can see both the big picture and the details—understanding how policy, land use, community priorities, natural resources, and municipal operations come together to create a thriving city.

In this role, you'll work beyond the generalist level, applying specialized knowledge to support the Planning Department and other City departments. You'll engage with residents, zoning applicants, developers, landscape professionals, appointed officials, and colleagues to navigate complex issues, explain requirements, develop solutions, and advance projects that contribute to Greensboro's long-term success.

Whether you're reviewing City code and the Land Development Ordinance, contributing to long-range or community planning, applying urban forestry expertise, or helping address complex development questions, your work will have a visible impact on the places and people that make Greensboro home.

This is an opportunity to bring your professional expertise to a city focused on safe and sustainable neighborhoods, economic opportunity, resiliency, and an exceptional quality of life.

Compensation

• Hiring Salary Range: $54,102–$80,708
• Full-time, exempt position

Benefits

The City of Greensboro offers a comprehensive benefits program for eligible employees. See the City of Greensboro Benefits Book for complete details.

Work Schedule

• Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
• Some evening work may be required based on community meetings, public hearings, or other City business.

Why You'll Love This Opportunity

Make a visible difference in Greensboro. Your work will influence how the city grows, develops, and cares for its built and natural environments.

Work at the intersection of planning and urban forestry. This position offers the opportunity to apply specialized expertise while working across disciplines and City departments.

Tackle meaningful, complex challenges. You'll work on issues that require professional judgment, thoughtful analysis, communication, and creative problem-solving.

Engage directly with the community. You'll have opportunities to work with residents, applicants, appointed officials, and other stakeholders to help navigate planning and development questions.

Help create sustainable neighborhoods. Your expertise can contribute to Greensboro's commitment to resilient communities, responsible growth, and an exceptional quality of life.

Bring your specialty to a broader planning team. The City values professionals who can contribute expertise beyond the generalist level while collaborating across organizational boundaries.

About the Role

The Planner / Urban Forester / City Arborist is a senior planning position responsible for work across a range of planning topics, including City code and Land Development Ordinance (LDO) management, long-range planning, community planning, and specialized planning responsibilities.

The position requires an advanced understanding of municipal operations and the ability to apply specialized professional knowledge to complex situations.

Your expertise may intersect with areas such as:

• Urban forestry
• Landscape architecture
• Urban design
• Community planning
• Economic development
• Historic preservation
• Community relations
• Real estate development
• Computer and planning systems
• Other specialized areas of planning

What You'll Do

• Work on complex planning projects and assignments involving City code, including the Land Development Ordinance.
• Act as Plan Review and Tracking Coordinator for landscape and tree conservation plans
• Support long-range and community planning initiatives.
• Apply advanced professional knowledge and specialized expertise to planning projects and departmental responsibilities.
• Review and interpret planning requirements and help address complex development and zoning questions.
• Work with residents, zoning applicants, appointed officials, City staff, and other stakeholders.
• Communicate technical information clearly to audiences with different levels of planning knowledge.
• Provide professional guidance and subject-matter expertise to the Planning Department and other City departments.
• Contribute to community plans and other long-range planning efforts.
• Apply urban forestry, arboriculture, landscape, or other specialized expertise to defined departmental responsibilities.
• Analyze complex situations and develop practical, community-focused solutions.
• Collaborate across departments and with external stakeholders to advance City priorities.
• Represent the City professionally in meetings, discussions, and other public-facing settings.
• Support municipal planning practices that advance safe, sustainable, connected, and prosperous neighborhoods.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry and Natural Resources.
• 7–9 years of related professional experience.
• Valid North Carolina driver's license.
• Registered Forester through the North Carolina Board of Registration for Foresters.
• Certified Arborist through the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA).
• Registered Landscape Architect through the North Carolina Board of Landscape Architects.
• Completion of Foundations of Supervision within six months of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• Tree risk assessment qualification.
• ISA Certification.
• Certified Planner through the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).
• Licensed Pesticide Applicator through the North Carolina Department of Agriculture.

What We Value

At the City of Greensboro, we're purpose-driven, people-centered, data-informed, innovative, focused on prosperity and resiliency, and committed to equity.

For this role, those values mean:

• Purpose-driven: Connecting planning decisions to Greensboro's long-term community vision and strategic priorities.
• People-centered: Listening to residents and stakeholders and communicating technical information in ways people can understand.
• Data-informed: Using professional knowledge, evidence, plans, regulations, and community information to support sound recommendations.
• Innovative: Looking for thoughtful solutions to complex planning and urban forestry challenges.
• Prosperity: Supporting development and community planning that expand opportunity and contribute to a strong local economy.
• Resiliency: Helping Greensboro create sustainable neighborhoods and responsibly manage its built and natural environments.
• Equity: Recognizing the importance of inclusive planning and equitable opportunities as Greensboro grows.

Help Build Greensboro's Future

The City of Greensboro's mission is to shape an inclusive future with equitable economic opportunities and sustainable, safe neighborhoods. Our vision is a community with endless opportunities and an exceptional quality of life.

The Planning Department plays an important role in making that vision tangible—from the way neighborhoods evolve and trees and natural resources are managed to the way development, mobility, infrastructure, and community priorities come together.

If you're ready to bring your professional expertise to complex challenges and help shape the future of one of North Carolina's most dynamic mid-sized cities,