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Two Positions Available: Apply by 2/17 to Join the Urban Forestry Commission 

Note: This application is now closed.

Commission meetings are held twice a month on the first and third Wednesday from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Meeting participation options include joining remotely via Webex application (with access via either phone or computer) or in-person at the Seattle Municipal Tower.  

The City of Seattle is now accepting applications for two positions on the Urban Forestry Commission, a 13-member body established to advise the Mayor and City Council around policy and regulations related to protecting, maintaining, and preserving trees and vegetation in the City of Seattle. There are two open positions: 

  • Position #1 – Wildlife Biologist 
  • Position #2 – Urban Ecologist (or similar) 
  • Commission positions ask for a time commitment of roughly 8-10 hours per month. In addition to meeting one of the positions above, applicants must also understand the impact racism and race-based disparities have on communities of color and have an interest in working to eliminate these disparities and advance equity. Applicants should also have an interest in collaborating with other community members to develop recommendations for tree canopy care and protection, while centering the communities most burdened by lack of access to tree canopy and its related benefits, and demonstrated ability to develop collaborative, productive, and respectful relationships with people from diverse educational, social, cultural, and racial backgrounds. 

How to Apply:

If you are interested in collaborating with a team of community leaders working on improving the care and management of Seattle’s tree canopy for the benefit of the community while centering communities most impacted by health and educational injustices, please apply by February 17. For information on the open positions and to access the application, please visit our website

For more information, please contact Patti Bakker, Urban Forestry Commission Liaison, at patricia.bakker@seattle.gov

About the Commission:

The Urban Forestry Commission was established in 2009 by Ordinance 123052 to advise the Mayor and City Council concerning the establishment of policy and regulations governing the protection, management, and conservation of trees and vegetation in the City of Seattle. Commission meetings are held twice a month on the first and third Wednesday from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Meeting participation options include joining remotely via Webex application (with access via either phone or computer) or in-person at the Seattle Municipal Tower. Commission members must live or work in Seattle and generally must commit approximately eight to ten hours per month to Commission business and serve without compensation. Additional information about the Urban Forestry Commission can be found at http://www.seattle.gov/urbanforestrycommission

The thirteen-member UFC consists of a wildlife biologist; an urban ecologist; a representative of a local, state, or federal natural resource agency or an accredited university; a hydrologist; a certified arborist; a representative of a non-profit or non-governmental organization; a representative of the development community or a representative from a non-city utility; an economist, financial analyst, or Washington State license real estate broker; a Get Engaged young adult; an environmental justice representative; a public health representative; and a community/neighborhood representative.