Stewardship Technician

Oregon Metro•Metro Parks and Natural Areas, OR

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

Metro’s Parks and Nature department is seeking a Stewardship Technician to support inclusive, participant-centered outdoor stewardship and education programs across Metro parks, natural areas, and historic cemeteries. The role supports volunteers, students, families, community organizations, and historically marginalized communities in connecting with nature and participating in habitat restoration, environmental stewardship, and community engagement. The Stewardship Technician coordinates and implements land stewardship, outdoor education, and public programs. The position supports hands-on activities, maintains relationships with community partners and participants, prepares and maintains tools and program materials, and communicates program logistics. It implements plans and curricula developed by program leads, adapting activities to participants and site conditions. The role also supports culturally responsive programming, tracks participation and outcomes, assists with developing educational materials, and follows tool safety and maintenance practices. This is a 0.8 FTE position (32 hours per week), typically Wednesday through Saturday, with schedule flexibility based on operational needs. Weekend work is required and occasional evening work may occur. The position is primarily onsite with some hybrid telework options; employees must reside in Oregon or Washington. Work takes place regularly outdoors at parks, natural areas, and historic cemeteries throughout the region, in all weather conditions.

Requirements

Associate’s degree in environmental education, natural resources, biology, ecology, parks and recreation, or a related field, and two years of related experience in land tending, outdoor program facilitation, and coordinating stewardship programs; or a combination of education, professional, volunteer, and lived experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Selected candidate must be enrolled in the Oregon Office of Child Care Central Background Registry before the official start date.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills and experience building positive relationships with community organizations, partners, volunteers, and the public.
Understanding of Pacific Northwest ecology, natural history, habitat restoration, and invasive species management.
Experience supporting or leading land stewardship projects in natural environments, including identifying native and non-native plants, planting native species, managing invasive weeds, harvesting seasonal plants, or guiding groups in stewardship activities.
Strong organizational skills, including managing high volumes of email and chat, maintaining calendars and schedules, tracking participant numbers, and coordinating multiple priorities.
Skills and experience designing and producing educational materials and props.
Ability to adapt creatively and flexibly to participant needs.
Experience integrating racial equity and environmental justice principles into community programming.
Ability to work effectively with a team and take a proactive, positive approach to collaboration.
Ability to work safely and follow safety policies, practices, and procedures.
Ability to track, maintain, organize, and clean stewardship gear and tools.
Ability to walk frequently over uneven or rough terrain in all weather conditions.
Ability to lift, carry, and move equipment and supplies weighing up to 40 pounds regularly.
Ability to work outdoors in adverse weather conditions, including rain, cold, dust, heat, and heavy pollen.

Nice To Haves

Experience leading and coordinating hands-on outdoor education or stewardship programs for all ages.
Knowledge of best practices for land tending, outdoor program facilitation, and trauma-informed education.
Understanding of the history of systemic racism in parks, natural areas, and conservation movements.
Experience providing culturally relevant stewardship programs.
Experience working with communities impacted by trauma and designing programs that support healing and connection.
Experience communicating across cultural and linguistic differences.
Conversational proficiency in Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Russian, or another language commonly spoken in the region.

Responsibilities

Coordinate and implement land stewardship, outdoor education, and public programs at Metro parks, natural areas, and historic cemeteries.
Support volunteers, students, families, and community groups in planting, invasive species removal, habitat restoration, and seasonal land care.
Build and maintain positive relationships with community organizations, schools, program partners, and participants.
Prepare, transport, organize, and maintain tools, materials, educational supplies, and stewardship equipment.
Communicate program details and logistics with staff, partners, volunteers, and the public.
Implement program plans, curricula, and activities developed by program leads, adapting delivery to participant interests, learning styles, and site conditions.
Support culturally responsive programming advancing Metro’s goals for racial equity, environmental justice, and community connection to nature.
Track participation, maintain records, and assist with evaluating program outcomes.
Work safely in outdoor environments and contribute to a positive, collaborative team culture.
Support research and creation of program materials, lesson plans, props, and teaching aids.
Ensure programming has consistent messaging and content that advances agency-wide education and stewardship initiatives and goals.
Maintain and use tools safely in accordance with team best practices and OSHA standards.
Load, transport, unload, move, and set up tools, plant materials, and other program gear.
Transport, set up, and clean up stewardship tools and program materials.