Urban Forest Stewardship Specialist (Botanic Specialist II - Forestry)

City of Portland•Or 97217, OR

12d•Hybrid

About The Position

Portland Parks & Recreation Urban Forestry’s Community Stewardship Team is hiring an Urban Forest Stewardship Specialist (job class Botanic Specialist II: Forestry) to serve as technical and field leader in urban forestry and arboriculture, helping Portlanders to plant and care for community trees, and to access Urban Forestry programs and resources. The Community Stewardship Team connects Portland’s diverse communities with opportunities to grow and care for the urban forest through free tree programs, community events, volunteer stewardship, education, communications, and partnership development. This team focuses their work on bringing urban forestry resources to spaces and communities where trees and the many environmental and public health services they provide, are needed most. The Urban Forest Stewardship Specialist brings strong arboricultural and urban forestry expertise to this work, as a lead technical resource for tree planting, pruning, establishment, and care for volunteers and staff. This position supports outreach and engagement for Urban Forestry’s tree planting programs, which plant 10,000 trees annually. This includes coordinating outreach efforts with a team of seasonal and full-time staff, raising awareness of the importance of urban trees, answering technical questions about tree planting programs and tree care, and finding effective ways to encourage participation across the city. The successful Urban Forest Stewardship Specialist has strong project management, communication, collaboration, and organization skills. They have substantial knowledge and practical experience in arboriculture or urban forestry, along with the ability to teach, lead, communicate, and work effectively with people from a wide range of backgrounds. They will be comfortable moving between field work, public events, staff training, community presentations, and program planning. They know how to translate technical tree care concepts into clear, practical guidance and are excited to help others build the skills and confidence to care for Portland’s urban forest.

Requirements

Experience with site selection, planting, pruning, establishing, and caring for young trees, following arboricultural best management practices.
Experience teaching or demonstrating tree care practices to others.
Experience leading, training, mentoring, or coordinating volunteers, seasonal employees, interns, or entry-level staff.
Experience managing community outreach and engagement projects, building trust and partnerships with diverse communities and audiences.
Experience in urban forestry project planning, implementation, management, and evaluation.
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

International Society of Arboriculture Arborist Certification.

Responsibilities

Serve as a technical leader in urban forestry and arboriculture.
Provide practical expertise in tree planting, establishment, pruning, young tree care, tree selection, site conditions, and other aspects of urban tree care.
Apply current arboricultural best management practices and ensure that staff, volunteers, and community members have the knowledge to care for trees successfully.
Lead tree planting and tree care training.
Develop and deliver hands-on training for volunteers and members of the public.
Demonstrate proper planting, pruning, watering, establishment, and ongoing care practices in the field.
Lead volunteers in hands-on urban forestry activities.
Plan and facilitate volunteer tree planting and stewardship activities, providing clear instruction, demonstrating safe and effective work practices, and creating an experience that leaves participants feeling capable, connected, and excited to care for trees.
Inspire Portlanders to plant and care for trees.
Represent Urban Forestry’s free tree programs at community events, neighborhood meetings, tabling events, canvassing activities, and other public settings.
Explain how people can access free trees, help residents identify opportunities to plant, answer tree-related questions, and make participation in planting programs approachable and compelling.
Serve as a subject matter expert for planting programs.
Provide accurate and accessible information about tree planting programs and Urban Forestry.
Develop and deliver presentations, respond to questions, and work with community partners to increase awareness and participation.
Design and coordinate outreach activities.
Lead and develop seasonal outreach plans, coordinate events and community presentations, support canvassing and tabling activities, and identify creative ways to reach people who may not otherwise engage with City tree planting programs.
Provide day-to-day leadership for seasonal staff.
Coordinate and assign work, train staff, provide technical and outreach guidance, review work, provide feedback, and contribute to performance evaluations.
Help seasonal staff understand both the technical standards of urban forestry work and the importance of respectful, effective public engagement.
Build relationships through urban forestry work.
Work with community organizations, neighborhood groups, schools, businesses, volunteers, and residents to build understanding and support for a healthy and equitable urban forest.
Use community engagement as a tool to improve tree planting, tree survival, stewardship, and access to trees.
Support project planning, implementation, reporting, and evaluation.
Help develop work plans, track activities and outcomes, identify opportunities for improvement, document results, and contribute to continuous improvement of Community Stewardship programs.
Communicate clearly and effectively.
Translate technical arboricultural information into practical, understandable guidance for a wide range of audiences.
Communicate effectively in the field, at public events, in presentations, and in writing.