Forestry Intern
Stoughton
Saturday, 28 February 2026
Interested in pursuing a career in Forestry? Love the outdoors and want to turn that passion into hands-on experience? Looking to make a real impact on the community’s natural environment? The City of Stoughton, an equal opportunity employer, is seeking a motivated, enthusiastic individual with a strong work ethic to join our Public Works Department as a Forestry Intern. This is a seasonal internship (fewer than 599 hours per year) and is not benefit-eligible. Start and end dates are flexible to accommodate students’ academic schedules. The internship typically runs from late May or early June through August. Work hours are generally Monday through Thursday from 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. This is a 40-hour-per-week position. Why Join Our Team? Gain valuable, real-world forestry experience. Make a meaningful impact on the community’s natural environment. Build a strong resume with hands-on urban forestry work. Enjoy a consistent daytime schedule with evenings free and half-day Fridays. The Role and what We’re Looking For:As a Forestry Intern, you’ll work alongside experienced professionals committed to maintaining and enhancing the City’s urban forest. In this role, you’ll support the City Forester and assist other Public Works staff as needed. We’re seeking a self-motivated, responsible individual who is eager to learn and ready to contribute to the care, preservation, and long-term health of Stoughton’s urban forest. Education, training & certifications:High school diploma or equivalent required. Enrollment in an Urban Forestry or related program. Valid driver’s license. Proficiency with computers and basic software. Ability to successfully complete a physical evaluation (including drug screening) and a background check. Please note: This position requires working outdoors, occasionally in adverse weather conditions. Schedule:Work hours are generally Monday through Thursday from 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. This is a 40-hour-per-week position. Start and end dates are flexible to accommodate students’ academic schedules. The internship typically runs from late May or early June through August. This position will remain open until filled.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Assist the City Forester with the managing the urban forest. Assist staff with updating the City's Tree Inventory using a desktop computer or tablet. Perform basic tree maintenance (trimming, removals, mulching). Assist the Urban Forester with managing the Emerald Ash Borer program. Assists the Urban Forester in the identification of tree diseases and course of treatment. Operates a variety of machines such as pick-up truck, chainsaw, brush chipper, hand tools and other equipment as needed.
QUALIFICATIONS
The ability to perform the Core Duties and Additional Duties listed above. Enrolled in an Urban Forestry or related program. Valid Driver's license. Reliable transportation. High school diploma or equivalent. Proficient in the use of a computer.
JOB KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Language Skills and Interpersonal Communication. Ability to follow specific instructions and respond to requests from others. Ability to communicate effectively with the director, all department personnel, other City departments, students, volunteers, citizens and the public. Mathematical Skills. Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; and to calculate percentages and decimals. Judgment and Situational Reasoning Ability. Ability to interpret instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic or schedule form. Physical and Mental Abilities Required to Perform Essential Position Functions. Requires the ability to operate equipment and machinery such as trucks and equipment, chainsaws, hand tools, requiring monitoring multiple conditions and making multiple, complex and rapid adjustments. Requires the ability to coordinate eyes, hands, feet, and limbs in performing movements requiring skill and training, such as using and maintaining equipment. Ability to make minor repairs to equipment machinery. Ability to recognize and identify degrees of similarities or differences between characteristics of forms, sounds. Tasks involve the regular and, at times, sustained performance of moderately physically demanding work, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling moderately heavy objects and materials, twenty to fifty pounds. Requires the ability to recognize and identify similarities or differences between characteristics of colors, shapes, and sounds associated with job-related objects, materials, and tasks. Environmental Adaptability. Ability to work under conditions that require exposure to environmental factors such as temperature and noise extremes, toxic agents or machinery. This exposure may cause some discomfort and presents a risk of injury.