Botanic Technician I - Generalist (Protect the Best Program)

City of Portland • Or, OR

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Botanic Technician I (Protect the Best) position plays a key role in safeguarding Portland Parks & Recreation’s highest-value natural areas by focusing on invasive species management, ecological restoration, wildfire-risk reduction, and adaptive land-stewardship practices. This Botanic Technician I role is part of City Nature West – Land Stewardship, with a primary assignment to the Protect the Best (PTB) program. PTB’s mission is to prevent the spread of invasive species, protect intact ecosystems, improve habitat resiliency, and reduce wildfire risk across PP&R natural areas. This is a field-based, physically demanding position that works year-round in remote and challenging environments, including: steep terrain dense vegetation off-trail locations uneven surfaces all-weather conditions The PTB Botanic Technician I must demonstrate strong situational awareness, independent field judgment, adaptability, and the ability to work safely in dynamic natural-area environments. In addition to PTB-focused work, the technician performs routine, planned, and emergency field operations; maintains and operates field equipment; and collects and enters data using PP&R asset systems, City applications, and GIS tools. The position also supports volunteer stewardship events and collaborates with Youth Corps crews as needed. The eligible list created from this recruitment may also be used to fill future Botanic Technician I positions throughout the City.

Requirements

• Experience working effectively as part of a team, communicating in alignment with the City’s Core Values, and following established policies and procedures.
• Experience in identifying and controlling undesirable vegetation using manual, cultural, mechanical, and/or herbicide-based methods.
• Knowledge of basic ecological restoration and natural-area stewardship practices.
• Experience using standard field tools and equipment such as hand tools, handheld power equipment, and backpack sprayers.
• Experience collecting and entering field data into digital systems (e.g., spreadsheets, mobile apps, or basic GIS/GPS platforms).
• Ability to perform fieldwork independently, adapt to changing conditions, and complete tasks safely and effectively.
• A valid state driver’s license and an acceptable driving record.
• The ability to pass a Pre-Hire Evaluation —this may include a medical exam, screenings, and a Physical Capacities Test (PCT)—after an offer of employment has been made and accepted.
• Oregon Department of Agriculture pesticide applicator certifications (Laws and Safety and Forestry categories), or the ability to obtain them within three months of hire.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in ecological restoration or natural-resource management beyond basic field tasks.
• Experience with wildfire-fuels mitigation or wildfire-preparedness activities.
• Chainsaw certification or advanced equipment operation experience (e.g., skid steers, power wheelbarrows).
• Skill in identifying native and invasive plant species in Pacific Northwest ecosystems.
• Proficiency using GIS, Field Maps, GPS units, or digital field-data tools.
• Experience working in remote, steep, or off-trail natural area environments.
• Wilderness First Aid or CPR certification.

Responsibilities

• Restore and maintain habitat through native plant identification, planting, site preparation, and plant care.
• Identify, monitor, and control invasive vegetation using manual, mechanical, and herbicide-based methods, including EDRR for emerging species.
• Perform ecological restoration and habitat enhancement to support native vegetation establishment.
• Conduct wildfire fuels reduction by removing ladder fuels, woody debris, and invasive vegetation to mitigate wildfire risk.
• Maintain natural-area access through debris removal, basic infrastructure upkeep, and assigned emergency response activities.
• Operate and maintain field equipment, including hand tools, chainsaws, backpack sprayers, power equipment, and work vehicles.
• Safely traverse steep, remote terrain while completing field tasks in all conditions.
• Collect and input field data using digital tools, GIS, and City asset systems.
• Support volunteer stewardship events in natural-area settings.
• Assist Youth Corps crews during field projects.

Benefits

• Please check our benefits tab for an overview of benefits for this position.
• This position may be eligible for Language Pay Differential for qualifying employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed