Urban Forestry Operations Supervisor I (Exempt) - Multiple Vacancies

City of Portland • Or 97217, OR

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Portland Parks & Recreation is hiring two Urban Forestry Operations Supervisors: one for a full-time, limited-duration position and one for a full-time, regular position. The supervisors provide leadership for the City of Portland’s 24/7 Tree Emergency Response, tree maintenance, tree planting, and plant health care activities. They coordinate complex tree maintenance work, provide customer service, oversee programs, and develop a professional, cohesive, high-performing arborist team with a service-oriented work ethic. The positions require strong technical and personnel-management skills and a commitment to racial justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Effective communication and collaboration with staff, stakeholders, City bureaus, community members, businesses, and public agencies are essential.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with emergency call-outs during and outside scheduled shifts. The work location is Urban Forestry, 10910 N Denver Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97217. The positions may be eligible for a language pay differential for qualifying employees. Applicants must submit a resume and respond to supplemental questions through the City of Portland’s online portal.

Urban Forestry manages and stewards Portland’s urban forest, including tree care and protection, tree planting and forest expansion, emergency response, forest health assessment, community education, and stewardship programs. The bureau emphasizes equitable delivery of forest services and an inclusive workforce. The City of Portland has approximately 650,000 residents, and nearly 20% speak a language other than English at home.

Applicants must demonstrate the specified supervisory, arboricultural, safety, emergency-response, equipment, communication, and inclusion qualifications. The successful candidates must obtain ISA Certified Arborist and ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification credentials before the end of probation; maintain a valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record at hire; obtain an Electrical Hazards Awareness Program certificate and an Oregon Public Pesticide Applicator License within six months of hire; and keep the EHAP certificate current.

Requirements

• Experience supervising tree maintenance or arborist crews, including assigning and prioritizing work and managing staff performance.
• Knowledge of arboricultural practices and urban forest management, including industry standards for tree care.
• Experience implementing safety standards and practices for tree care operations, such as ANSI Z133.
• Experience coordinating responses to tree emergencies or storm events.
• Experience overseeing the use and maintenance of specialized vehicles and equipment.
• Ability to communicate effectively with staff, the public, and partner agencies, and to promote an inclusive, equitable work environment.
• Obtain an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist credential before the end of the probationary period.
• Obtain the ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) before the end of the probationary period.
• Have a valid driver’s license from any state and an acceptable driving record at the time of hire.
• Obtain an Electrical Hazards Awareness Program (EHAP) certificate within six months of hire and keep it current.
• Obtain an Oregon Public Pesticide Applicator License within six months of hire.

Nice To Haves

• Fluency in another language is encouraged, but not required.

Responsibilities

• Understand and apply urban forest management and arboricultural practices and standards.
• Lead, oversee, and assess the performance of Operations staff.
• Scope, prioritize, assign, and ensure completion of tree maintenance requests and projects.
• Recruit, hire, schedule, assign work to, and supervise staff, including seasonal employees.
• Establish and maintain professional work culture and standards for safety and effectiveness.
• Create standard practices, policies, and procedures for the unit’s day-to-day operations.
• Supervise daily implementation of ANSI Safety Standards for Arboricultural Operations.
• Oversee the specialized vehicle and equipment fleet and maintain operating-supply inventory.
• Supervise and ensure delivery of the 24/7 citywide tree emergency response program.
• Communicate and deal effectively with the general public and other public agencies.
• Promote workplace diversity and create a positive work environment.
• Track and update tree condition and work status using computer software.
• Work with the Operations Manager, City Forester, City property maintenance supervisors, and public agencies to provide tree maintenance support.

Benefits

• The job posting directs applicants to the benefits tab for an overview of benefits.
• Qualifying employees may be eligible for a language pay differential.

What This Job Offers

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