Arborist Trainee (Arborist I)

City of Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon United States  View Map
Posted: Oct 22, 2024
  • Salary: $32.32 - $34.75 Hourly USD
  • Full Time
  • Grounds and Landscaping Services
  • Parks and Recreation
  • Job Description

    The Position

    Job Appointment: Full-Time

    Typical Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00 am - 3:30 pm

    Work Location: Urban Forestry, 10910 N Denver Ave, Portland, OR 97217
    Benefit: Please check our benefits tab for an overview of benefits for this position
    Union Representation: LiUNA Laborers' Local 483 . 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:
    Join our team as an Arborist I, where you will provide essential ground support for tree-related work while receiving valuable training and mentorship as a trainee. This role offers an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in modern arboricultural practices through guidance from senior arborists, Urban Forestry leadership, and Parks and Recreation staff. The work environment is primarily outdoors, requiring adaptability to various weather conditions and the ability to navigate challenging terrains while ensuring safety around traffic. Our Urban Forestry team utilizes specialized equipment, including tractors, winches, and cranes, to enhance efficiency and minimize physical strain.

    The Arborist Trainee position is designed to cultivate diversity within the field of arboriculture by fostering a supportive and inclusive training atmosphere. Portland Parks & Recreation Urban Forestry is dedicated to providing trainees from diverse backgrounds with the guidance and resources necessary for success. Over the two-year training program, each trainee will be paired with a Senior Arborist Mentor and will have access to regular check-ins with management, external support, and community organizations. These initiatives ensure that trainees not only develop the essential technical skills but also feel welcomed and empowered to thrive in their careers. This is a unique opportunity for individuals to enter an equitable, growth-oriented field with long-term potential.

    We welcome your application and look forward to building a diverse, inclusive team dedicated to enhancing Portland’s urban forest!

    As an Arborist I, you will learn how to:
    • Prune, remove, apply pest treatments, and plant trees.
    • Operate and maintain various equipment, tools, and vehicles used in tree care, including tractors, trailers, tree spades, air compressors, chippers, stump grinders, and chainsaws.
    • Provide traffic and pedestrian control to ensure safety.
    • Respond to emergencies, including removing tree hazards and fallen trees during storms.
    • Address questions and concerns from colleagues and the public.
    • Complete daily work and field reports while organizing and processing necessary paperwork.
    Who you are:
    • Collaborative: An outgoing professional who values teamwork and fosters relationships to achieve common goals.
    • Inclusive: Someone who respects and values diversity, with a commitment to serving individuals from various backgrounds.
    • Emotionally Intelligent: Motivated, passionate, team-oriented, and empathetic, with a strong sense of community.
    Working Conditions:
    Work in this class is typically performed in a field environment. Incumbent is typically required to negotiate rough terrain; to lift up to 100 pounds; to work outdoors in all weather conditions; to be called back to work during emergencies; to work in and around traffic; to be exposed to hazardous materials; to operate power tools and equipment; to work under hazardous conditions, at times in inclement weather, requiring use of safety precautions for the protection of self and others.

    About Urban Forestry and Portland's Forest:
    Urban Forestry's mission is to manage and ensure Portland’s urban forest infrastructure for current and future generations. Portland’s urban forest is valued at over $6 billion and comprised of over 1.2 million park trees, 218,000 street trees and 2.9 million private property trees. The Urban Forestry team is responsible for the overall management, stewardship, and improvement of this essential infrastructure system. Urban Forestry’s work includes delivery of sustainable and equitable forest services to all Portlanders; establishing and enacting best management practices, plans, policies and technical standards for tree care and protection and urban forest expansion; implementing, enforcing and proposing improvements to the City’s tree regulations; providing tree maintenance services including 24/7 response to tree emergencies on City properties and public streets; tree planting and expansion of urban forest services; measurement and assessment of urban forest coverage, health and services; offering community education and stewardship programs; and oversight and support of the City’s volunteer advisory tree board. Portland is a Tree City USA for 44 years; a Tree City of the World and the Urban Forestry program is accredited by the Society of Municipal Arborists.

    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.

    View Recording

    Passcode: g5EEa$%k

    Have a question?
    Contact Information:
    TroyLynn Craft
    Senior Recruiter
    troylynn.craft@portlandoregon.gov

    To Qualify

    The following minimum qualifications are required for this position: Ability to learn professional arboricultural practices, including the operation of tools and equipment used in tree care.Ability to perform assigned tasks while adhering safely and effectively to OSHA and ANSI standards.Ability to understand and follow instructions and communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues in a diverse workforce. Applicants must also:
    • A valid state driver's license and an acceptable driving record
    • Ability to obtain a Class A Commercial Driver's License within two (2) years of the hire date.
    • Ability to obtain and maintain Electrical Hazards Awareness (EHAP) certificate or equivalent
      within two (2) years of the hire date.
    • Ability to obtain a Work Zone Traffic Control Certification within two (2) years of the hire date.
    • Ability to obtain an Oregon Public Pesticide Applicators License within two (2) years of the hire date.
    • Ability to take and pass a Pre-Placement medical exam upon offer.


    The Recruitment Process

    STEP 1: Apply online between October 21 and November 4 , 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.
    • 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.
    • You may use AI tools to assist with your job application, but please be sure to personalize your responses to supplemental questions. Avoid copying and pasting. We encourage using AI to generate ideas and then tailor them to reflect your own experiences and skills.
    • All applications must be submitted via the City's online application process.
    • E-mailed and/or faxed applications will not be accepted.
    Step 2: Minimum Qualification Evaluation: Week of November 4, 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 November 11, 2024
    • Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on the equally ranked eligible list.
    Step 4: Selection (Interview): Early December
    • Hiring bureau will review and select candidates for an interview.
    Step 5: Offer of Employment

    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 Information

    Click 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 Employer

    A Career with the City of Portland offers many Employee Benefits

    We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to
    • Health Care (Medical, Vision and Dental)
    • Carrot Fertility
    • Wellness Benefits
    • Life Insurance
    • 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: 11/4/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
  • ABOUT THE COMPANY

    • City of Portland
    • City of Portland

    About Portland, Oregon: 
    The Rose City comprises an area of approximately 145 square miles in northwestern Oregon. With a 2021 population estimated at 662,000, Portland is the heart of culture, commerce, industry, transportation, finance, and services for a metropolitan area that includes an estimated 2.2 million people.

    Portland is the county seat of Multnomah County; the largest city in Oregon and the second largest city in the Pacific Northwest. Residents take pride in the city’s diverse neighborhoods, natural beauty, good schools and independent spirit. The city consistently ranks among the top 25 arts destinations in the United States, and is one of the best cycling cities in North America as well as one of the nation’s best walking towns.

    Portland’s identity is steeped in the Pacific Northwest's natural beauty, with Mount Hood, the Cascade Mountain Range and the renowned Oregon Coast each just over an hour away. There are 37,000 acres of parks and green spaces within the metropolitan area, including 5,000-acre Forest Park, the largest urban wilderness in America. Average temperatures range between 34° in winter to 80° in summer and Portland receives 37 inches of rain annually; less rainfall than Seattle, Houston, Baltimore, Boston and Atlanta.

    Why work at the City of Portland?

    We are culture- and solutions-driven, viewing every challenge as an opportunity to learn, improve, and share our expertise. We are committed to removing systemic barriers to resources, access and opportunity. “The City” is a believer in ALL people and continues to actively recruit and retain diverse top talent every day. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to medical, dental, vision, basic life, and short- and long-term disability coverage to eligible employees and their families. If you are open-minded, motivated, community-focused and self-aware, please apply yourself at the City of Portland today.
     
    City of Portland Core Values:
    Anti-racism | Equity | Transparency | Communication | Collaboration | Fiscal Responsibility
     
    These values guide our actions as we serve the community and engage our workforce. To learn more about the City's core values, please click 
    here

    Show more

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Please mention you found this employment opportunity on the CareersInGovernment.com Job Board.