Position Summary:

We are seeking a forward-thinking supervisor to lead and enhance our City and Private Property Tree Planting programs as we aim to double the number of urban trees planted and established within a short timeframe. Our ambitious goal is to coordinate the planting of 10,000 trees annually, prioritizing large, native, and evergreen species. Significant investments have been made to promote tree canopy equity throughout Portland, and this role will be vital to the successful development and execution of this transformative initiative. As supervisor, you will guide and mentor your team to expand tree canopy coverage and mitigate heat in communities that need it most, particularly in low-income, low-canopy areas, and within Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities.

The Tree Planting Program, part of the Urban Forestry division of Portland Parks & Recreation, is responsible for planting and establishing thousands of trees each year in residential yards, parks, and along city streets. Our programs encompass various property types, including private residences and public rights-of-way. Key initiatives include the Yard Tree Giveaway Program, Learning Landscapes Program, Private Property Tree Program, Free Street Tree Program,[MT1][DA2] park tree plantings, and collaborative efforts with other City of Portland bureaus.

As the City and Private Property Tree Planting Supervisor, you will lead a team of tree planting specialists and seasonal employees in planning, implementing, and evaluating our planting programs. Your team will focus on diverse locations, such as private properties, schoolyards, City parks, and other City properties. You will play a crucial role in training and mentoring tree planting specialists and seasonal staff as our programs expand. You will coach and provide constructive feedback to enhance employee performance and support career development. You will also serve as a strategic thinker who leads your team through program development, expansion, and refinement.

Collaboration is essential to this role; you will work closely with two other supervisors within the planting team to develop multi-year planting plans, manage contracts, ensure quality standards for all plantings, facilitate communication, and conduct outreach efforts. You will set the example for your team on how to navigate the complexities of urban forestry projects while serving the public at the highest level possible. In this position, you will oversee a team of approximately eight full-time employees and multiple seasonal staff, driving our mission to equitably expand Portland's urban forest.

What you'll get to do:

• Champion Equity and Environmental Justice: Lead a team driven to increase access and reduce barriers to new trees, promote workforce diversity, and serve the public through compassionate engagement.
• Manage Urban Tree Plantings: Lead your team as they implement and evaluation tree planting and establishment programs on private property, school yards, and City property.
• Oversee Technical Operations: Guide your team in fieldwork, data collection, and contract management to ensure technical excellence and alignment with program goals.
• Guide New Urban Tree Planting Projects: Coach your team through essential project development stages while ensuring goals are at the center of every decision.
• Ensure Quality: Ensure that our work and contract specifications meet the highest industry standards in terms of best management practices, safety, quality, and documentation.

• Establish Clear Practices: Coach your team on setting clear expectations, standards, and processes through documentation, trainings, reporting, and providing meaningful feedback.
• Lead and Build Your Team: Hire, train, coach, and supervise your own team of tree planting specialists to be proactive problem solvers and to implement the best practices of public service, urban forestry, project management, GIS/database management, and contract management.
• Cultivate Culture: Foster an inclusive, respectful, and culturally responsive workplace.
• Engage with Communities: Increase and improve opportunities for equitable tree planting and establishment services by working with diverse communities and stakeholders.
• Cultivate Knowledge and Skills: Guide efforts to train staff in skills for tree planting and establishment, contract management, and effective customer communication.
• Evaluate and Grow: Evaluate outcomes and refine our efforts for continuous program improvement and to provide quality customer service.

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 $9.2 billion and comprised of over 1.2 million park trees, 333,000 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 48 years; a Tree City of the World and the Urban Forestry program is accredited by the Urban and Community Forestry Society (formerly 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.

*Please note: AI Notetaking apps will not be allowed into virtual sessions hosted by the Bureau of Human Resources Recruitment Team. If you need accommodations as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, then please contact the Recruiter or Program Lead for assistance.

Have a question?
Contact Information:
TroyLynn Craft
Senior Recruiter
troylynn.craft@portlandoregon.gov
The following minimum qualifications are required for this position:

1. Experience with equity and/or environmental justice initiatives.
2. Experience leading and supervising an urban forestry team, such as hiring, training, motivating, assigning work, and managing performance.
3. Experience managing urban tree planting projects including tree procurement, contractor management, industry best practices, quality control, establishment, and monitoring.
4. Experience managing large and complex projects, and developing new initiatives including creating project scopes, developing work plans, tracking progress, and evaluating outcomes.

Applicants must also:

• A valid state driver's license and an acceptable driving record

STEP 1: Apply online between May 5 - 26, 2025

• 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.
• How We Determine Pay: The City of Portland is covered by the Oregon Equal Pay Act. Your salary is determined based on the experience listed in your resume that is directly related and equivalent to the position for which you are applying. It is strongly encouraged to include any transferable experience (paid or unpaid regardless of how recent) to ensure your offer is reflective of all your relevant 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.
• 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 May 26, 2025

• 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 June 2, 2025

• Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on the equally ranked eligible list.

Step 4: Selection (Interview): Mid-June through Mid-July

• 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.
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