Urban Forestry Specialist (Botanic Specialist I – Forestry) w/ Portland Parks & Rec (pdx)

The City of Portland Urban Forestry Department is hiring three full-time botanist specialists. The positions include updating ArcGIS databases and field visits.

Applications are open until 12/20.
 
Here is the link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/portlandor/jobs/3316445/urban-forestry-specialist-botanic-specialist-i-forestry

About the position:
Portland Parks & Recreation is recruiting for three (3) Botanic Specialist I: Forestry positions in the Urban Forestry division. Join a growing team dedicated to supporting the planting and care of Portland’s trees, with a focus on reaching Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) communities, low-income residents, and East Portland neighborhoods.
 
These positions support the planting of thousands of trees annually in yards, parks, and along streets. In addition to planting, these positions conduct outreach to communities most in need of trees, promote planting opportunities, and support continued care of trees through stewardship and education. There are three positions open, each with a specific focus area.
 
As a Botanic Specialist I - Forestry you will:

• Conduct outreach and customer service with diverse audiences on trees, tree planting opportunities, benefits, and care. 
• Plan and conduct inclusive public events to promote, plant, and care for trees. 
• Provide support to Urban Forestry programs, such as Yard Tree Giveaway, street tree planting, and tree inventory.

​Three positions are available with specific areas of focus:

Stewardship position:

• Conduct outreach to communities and organizations around trees, with a special focus on BIPOC communities and youth.
• Plan, lead and teach tree care, pruning, planting, identification, and inventory skills to youth and adults.
• Organize and lead a summer youth tree crew that conducts tree maintenance and tree inventory.
• Manage volunteers to conduct stewardship events to plant and care for trees.
• Prepare clear, concise communication materials such as newsletters, websites, and social media posts.

​Outreach position:

• Conduct outreach to community organizations, schools, and residents to promote tree planting opportunities, with a focus on BIPOC communities, low-income neighborhoods, and East Portland.
• Develop and implement culturally-specific strategies to reach focus communities.
• Promote tree-planting programs by creating marketing plans, advertising, social media, and press releases.
• Assess the effectiveness of outreach efforts, suggest improvements, and track progress towards goals.

Planting position:

• Provide customer service to tree recipients at the door, over the phone/email, and at public events; advise on species selection, planting, and care.
• Lead volunteers and seasonal staff to deliver, plant, and care for trees.
• Monitor young trees to assess survival, health, and growth.
• Find tree planting locations using aerial maps, submit utility locates, and verify sites in the field.
• Efficiently organize and plan field visits, update ArcGIS and other databases with site and tree information, track progress towards goals.

This classification is represented by PROTEC17 (Formerly Coppea). To view this labor agreement, please go to https://www.portland.gov/bhr/employee-relations/labor-relations/labor-agreements and click on the appropriate link.

As a person, you are: 

• Someone who Value Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): Embrace anti-racism through intentional partnership, self-awareness, and action, showing cultural humility, advocacy, and mindfulness. Use DEI concepts to guide and inform your work.
• An Equitable Leader: Experience leading and mentoring people and creating and maintaining an inclusive, respectful, and culturally responsive workplace.
• Safety Conscious: Incorporate safety into all your decisions.
• Emotionally Intelligent: Motivated, team-oriented, and empathetic.