The Position "The City Council has approved a 3.3% cost of living adjustment (COLA) for all eligible employees of the City of Portland for the fiscal year, effective from July 1, 2024. As a result, the salary for this position may increase due to the approved COLA."
Job Appointment: Regular Full-time
Work Schedule: Typical schedule is 7 am to 3:30 pm, Tuesday-Saturday from Sept. to May; Monday-Friday June to August.
Work Location:Parks Ross Island Maintenance Facility and offices at 4315 SE McLoughlin Blvd., Portland, OR 97202 with field locations in SE Portland. This is primarily an office and field-based position, with some ability for telework.
Benefit: Please check our benefits tab for an overview of benefits for this position
Language Pay Premium Eligible: This position is or may be eligible for Language Pay Differential for qualifying employees.
Union Representation: PROTEC-17. To view this labor agreement, please click here .
Application Material: Please click APPLY to submit your application via the City of Portland’s online portal. You will need to respond to the supplemental questions and attach a resume.
Position Summary: Are you a knowledgeable natural resources professional with experience in community and youth-oriented volunteer programs? Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) is looking for you!
PP&R seeks to fill a Botanic Specialist I - Natural Resources Youth & Community position to support its City Nature East natural areas unit . This stewardship coordinator role involves developing and implementing culturally inclusive environmental education and community stewardship programs in PP&R natural areas and parks, primarily focusing on the Johnson Creek Watershed including Powell Butte, Erro ll Heights, Foster Floodplain , and 12 other natural areas. The position will closely collaborate with community-led and nonprofit organizations, school groups, Friends groups, culturally specific groups, religious organizations, businesses, and the public to provide high-quality volunteer experiences. The role aims to improve access to nature and enhance the ecological conditions of east side natural areas, applying an equity lens to all aspects of work and partnership building. Candidates will present information to small and large groups, build community relationships with diverse groups, and lead and mentor youth.
What you'll get to do:- Organize, plan, and lead habitat enhancement volunteer stewardship events and projects including installing and caring for native plants; removal of nuisance weeds and non-native plants; basic trail maintenance; litter/trash clean ups; environmental education; and other habitat enhancement and/or community science projects.
- Develop, implement, and manage volunteer opportunities for individuals to contribute outside of structured and staff-led events.
- Develop and nurture relationships with Portland Parks staff, staff from other City bureaus, community-based organizations, and other partners/stakeholders to increase access to nature and nature-based experiences for Portlanders of all ages and backgrounds.
- Manage and develop Stewardship Agreements for current and future projects and partners.
- Write, produce, and distribute materials for outreach and awareness efforts such as brochures, presentations, and program reports. Collect, manage, and report quantitative and qualitative program data. Maintain Stewardship Program website in collaboration with other PP&R Stewardship Coordinators.
- Serve as primary public and staff contact for stewardship-related matters on Johnson Creek Watershed Natural Areas . Answer questions and concerns from the public, providing strong customer service and a solutions-oriented approach. Maintain positive relationships with volunteers; prepare annual monitoring reports for public and staff.
- Apply Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion principles and practices. Collaborate with partners to provide culturally appropriate stewardship experiences. Focus on under-served communities, people who are Black, Indigenous, people of color, immigrants, or refugees.
- Communicate effectively and professionally via email, phone, text, and in-person with people of all ages, races, beliefs, sexual orientations, gender identities, physical abilities, personality temperaments, cultural backgrounds, and life circumstances.
- Serve as a “sponsor” for the PP&R Youth Conservation Crew (YCC) or other youth-focused programs over the summer by directing, mentoring, and supporting teenagers from diverse backgrounds and life experiences in collaboration with paid YCC crew leaders and/or external partner staff .
- Assess hazards and proactively manage safety while working outdoors with volunteers during all seasons and conditions. Work often includes steep hikes and physically challenging, off-trail projects in forested areas with uneven terrain.
About the Bureau:Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) is committed to the overall Citywide vision that race will have no detrimental effect on people of color, refugee and immigrant communities in accessing our parks and natural areas, or from the benefit of our services. We recognize, understand, and encourage celebration of the differences that surround us. Diversity and equity are vital to PP&R’s ideals and values. The City of Portland, Oregon is a growing and diverse city of 650,000 residents, nearly 20% of whom speak languages other than English at home. PP&R values a diverse workforce and seeks ways to promote equity and inclusion within the organization and with the public.
PP&R encourages applications from candidates with knowledge, ability and experience working with a broad range of individuals and communities with diverse racial, ethnic, abilities, and socio-economic backgrounds. Although not required, PP&R encourages candidates that can fluently speak another language to include that information in their application materials. Multilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.
Virtual Zoom Meet & Greet Opportunity Come meet the hiring manager and the senior recruiter! We'll be talking about the position duties and responsibilities, day to day life in the role, review the announcement, discuss how to apply, and answer questions you may have about the position.
June 24, 2024
12:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83147290374
Meeting ID: 831 4729 0374
Have a question?Contact Information:
TroyLynn Craft
Senior Recruiter
troylynn.craft@portlandoregon.gov
To QualifyThe following minimum qualifications are required for this position: Experience with volunteer and group coordination, including planning, leading, reporting, and effective communication (in-person, phone, and email) for habitat restoration and conservation-based events.
Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with diverse internal and external stakeholders, including culturally specific and under-represented communities, all levels of staff, staff of partner organizations, business leaders, teachers, and the public.
Knowledge of watershed health, habitat restoration, and plant ecology, including the ability to communicate and demonstrate this information effectively to diverse communities, ages, and socio-economic groups.
Knowledge of planning, coordinating, and implementing habitat enhancement projects, including selecting, installing, and maintaining native plants, methods for removing and disposing of non-native nuisance plants, litter/trash clean-ups, and conducting community science and wildlife survey projects.
Ability to lead, mentor, coach, and work with teenagers from many different backgrounds and life experiences.
Ability to be highly organized and utilize software to create and manage multiple schedules and calendars, detailed records, a variety of reports, and other documents such as stewardship agreements, volunteer manuals, etc.
Applicants must also possess:
- A valid driver's license and acceptable driving record at the time of hire .
- Ability to work outdoors for extended periods under unfavorable weather conditions, off-trail, and on uneven ground.
- Ability to lift and carry heavy items (rocks, tools, plants, etc.)
- CPR and First Aid certification and/or willingness and ability to acquire certification within 6 months of hire.
- Ability to pass a background check to be able to work with youth.
- Ability to frequently work weekends (typically Saturdays) and occasional evenings and holidays.
Although not required you may have one or more of the following:
- Degree(s) in natural resources, environmental education, environmental science, horticulture, ecology, etc., with a preferred focus on Pacific Northwest ecology.
- Experience in program management, preferably volunteer-centered programming.
- Natural resource management skills such as plant identification, GIS mapping, navigating through remote terrain, etc.
- Experience and comfort with using various hand tools (such as shovels, loppers, hoes, hand saws, wheelbarrows, etc.,) and/or other mechanized equipment such as a string trimmer, leaf blowers, etc.
- Bicultural and/or Bilingual with Spanish/English skills or other languages.
- Understanding of and experience with Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) that can be applied in natural area habitat enhancement.
The Recruitment ProcessSTEP 1: Apply online between June 10 - July 1, 2024 Required Application Materials: - Resume
- Answer to the Supplemental Questions (click on the Questions tab to preview the questions)
Optional Application Materials: - If you would like to request Veteran's Preference, please submit your Veteran documents (ex, DD214-Member 4, VA Benefit Letter, etc.) by the closing date of the recruitment.
Application Tips: - Your responses to the supplemental questions should include details describing your education, training and/or experience, and where obtained, which clearly reflects your qualifications for each of the numbered items in the "To Qualify" section of this announcement.
- Your résumé should support the details described in your responses to the supplemental questions.
- Salary Range/Equity Pay Analysis : Please note per the Oregon State Pay Equity Law your salary is determined based on the experience and education listed in your resume/application. It is strongly encouraged to include any transferable experience (paid or unpaid regardless of how recent) to ensure your offer is reflective of all directly related and equivalent experience.
- Do not attach any additional documents.
- Please note, all completed applications for this position must be submitted no later than on the closing date and time of this recruitment.
Step 2: Minimum Qualification Evaluation: Week of July 1, 2024 - An evaluation of each applicant's training and paid and unpaid experience, as demonstrated in their resume and supplemental questions, weighted 100%.
- Your résumé and responses to the supplemental questions will be the basis for our evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Incomplete or inappropriate information may result in disqualification.
- You have 14 days from the notice of the minimum qualification evaluation results to let us know if you would like to review and discuss your evaluation result. Please read the City of Portland Administrative Rule 3.01 for complete information.
- Additional evaluation may be required prior to establishment of the eligible list and/or final selection.
Step 3: Establishment of Eligible List: Week of July 8, 2024 - Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on the equally ranked eligible list.
- Please note, the selection process may take up to 90 days from the notification of being placed on the eligible list.
Step 4: Selection (Interview): Round one: Late July/Early August. Round two: Mid-August. - Hiring bureau will review and select candidates for an interview.
- Please note, the selection process may take up to 90 days from the notification of being placed on the eligible list.
Step 5: Offer of Employment: August Step 6: Start Date:- A start date will be determined after all conditions of employment have been met.
*Timeline is approximate and subject to change.Additional InformationClick here for additional information regarding the following:- City of Portland Core Values
- Recruitment Process - Work Status
- Equal Employment Opportunity
- Veteran Preference
- ADA, Pregnancy, and Religious Accommodations
An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action EmployerA Career with the City of Portland offers many Employee BenefitsWe offer a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to
- Health Care (Medical, Vision and Dental)
- Carrot Fertility
- Wellness Benefits
- Life Insurance
- Short- and Long-term disability coverage to eligible employees and their families.
- Employee Assistance Plan
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Retirement
- Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), includingcontributions to the PERS IAP plan paid by employer
- Family Medical Leave
- City Paid Parental Leave
AND SO MANY MORE!Benefits may vary depending on bargaining unit and employment status. Click here to review the many different benefits the City of Portland offers .
Closing Date/Time: 7/1/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
