Senior Tree Planting Specialist (Botanic Specialist II - Forestry)

City of Portland • Or 97217, OR

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

Our Tree Planting Program is growing, and we're hiring a Senior Tree Planting Specialist (Botanic Specialist II-Forestry) to help lead that growth. In this role, you'll help shape the future of Portland's urban forest by managing the planting, establishment, and pruning of thousands of trees each year. Our goal is to coordinate the annual planting of 10,000 urban trees, with a focus on large, native, and evergreen species. We work to grow tree canopy in underserved communities, especially neighborhoods that have faced years of underinvestment, fewer public resources, and greater environmental challenges. By growing tree canopy where it is needed most, we support healthier neighborhoods, improved environmental quality, and greater community resilience. This work is guided by Portland's citywide tree planting strategy, Urban Forest Plan, and the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund. As a Senior Tree Planting Specialist, you will serve the public by co-managing urban tree planting and establishment initiatives, including the Free Street Trees program. You will also lead our young tree structural pruning program, coordinating contractor work to prune up to 4,000 young trees each year. Your work will involve close collaboration with city work groups, contractors, community partners, and residents. Senior Tree Planting Specialists plan, implement, evaluate, and continuously improve programs that support Portland’s urban forest goals. In this role, you will work alongside nine other Senior Tree Planting Specialists to provide technical leadership and support to staff. You will train and mentor colleagues and contractors, coordinate work, delegate tasks, and provide feedback to support successful project delivery. Your work will be in the field and the office, all year round. Examples of field work include finding planting locations, leading planting events, inspecting trees for quality control, and meeting contractors on site to ensure contract specifications are met. Examples of office work include leading planning meetings, entering and analyzing data, documenting procedures, and preparing reports. Successful Senior Tree Planting Specialists have excellent communication, collaboration, and organization skills. They are flexible, take initiative to solve challenges, and welcome feedback. They are motivated to promote environmental justice and collaborate with diverse communities. When it comes to trees, they are proficient in urban forestry practices. They also enjoy sharing their knowledge in accessible ways and are eager to continue learning. We are seeking candidates with diverse skills and experiences. If you have experience building strong connections with community groups, marginalized populations, and others who are often excluded from government programs, we encourage you to apply. Additional language skills beyond English are also valued.

Requirements

• Experience leading urban forestry projects, such as site evaluation, tree procurement, tree planting, young tree pruning, and/or tree establishment.
• Experience planting and structurally pruning young trees in an urban forestry or arboriculture setting following arboricultural best management practices.
• Experience working effectively with underserved or marginalized communities and communicating effectively across cultures.
• Experience managing projects involving multiple partners and stakeholders, including community organizations, contractors, and property owners, to achieve program goals and meet deadlines.
• A valid state driver’s license and acceptable driving record.
• The ability to perform both office and outdoor work in all weather conditions.
• The ability to sit, stand, and walk over uneven terrain.
• The ability to stoop or bend.
• The ability to lift up to 25 pounds.

Nice To Haves

• Additional language skills beyond English are also valued.

Responsibilities

• Lead tree planting and establishment programs that expand tree canopy in underserved communities by planning projects, managing contractors, ensuring quality, and delivering successful outcomes.
• Evaluate planting sites, inspect nursery stock, monitor tree health, and conduct field inspections to ensure high-quality planting and establishment outcomes.
• Mentor and train colleagues in tree surveying, tree planting, contractor inspections, and structural pruning to set young trees up for long-term success.
• Coach colleagues and contractors by providing technical guidance, monitoring work quality, and fostering continuous improvement.
• Build strong partnerships with property owners, contractors, community organizations, and volunteers to support successful projects.
• Establish and uphold high standards for planting, establishment, and pruning while empowering contractors, colleagues, and volunteers to achieve those standards.
• Collect, analyze, and communicate program data using Excel, ArcGIS, and TreePlotter to track progress, inform decisions, and measure outcomes.
• Create maps, reports, standard operating procedures, and contractor performance documentation to support project management and continuous improvement.
• Engage with the public by responding to questions and concerns over the phone, email, and in-person.

Benefits

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

What This Job Offers

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