Job Appointment: Regular, Full Time
Work Schedule: Mon-Fri. 7am - 3:30pm
Work Location: Hybrid at The Portland Building, 1120 SW 5th Ave. Portland, OR. Remote work must be performed within Oregon or Washington. For more information, click here.
Benefits: 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: PROTEC17. To view this labor agreement, please click here.
Position Summary:
Portland Parks & Recreation is hiring an Urban Forest Science Specialist (Botanic Specialist II – Forestry) to act as lead staff for PP&R Urban Forestry’s Forest science programs: collecting data, conducting analysis, contributing to reports, and connecting with public and local stakeholders to increase public understanding of Portland’s urban forest. Providing data and analysis to inform decisions and tracking progress towards the goal of expanding Portland’s urban forest in underserved areas are core responsibilities of this position.

A successful Urban Forest Science Specialist will have strong project management skills, with the ability to plan and implement complex programs including research and design, documenting protocols, training and leading staff, communicating progress, and reporting outcomes. This will involve a strong background in the tools and best practices of urban forest measurement and assessment, as well as facility with management, quality control, and analysis of complex data in GIS, Excel, and related software. Applicants with a passion for science communication and equitably serving Portland’s diverse communities are encouraged to apply!

Projects planned for this position:

• Lead reporting on performance metrics for Portland’s urban forest including tree canopy cover, forest composition, and tree survival.
• Manage the long-term tree monitoring program, providing critical information on the health and survival of trees planted or given away so that programs track and meet ambitious goals for expanding tree canopy.
• Lead seasonal staff, including training, work performance, and professional development.
• Coordinate among PP&R Urban Forestry workgroups to set data collection standards and protocols.
• Manage the Tree Inventory program, PP&R Urban Forestry’s ongoing effort to map, measure, and assess over a quarter million public trees.

What you'll get to do:

• Design, implement, and report on studies related to Portland's urban forest
• Analyze data and conduct research to evaluate program outcomes and recommend improvements
• Conduct fieldwork and lead staff and volunteers to monitor and assess urban trees
• Lead work of seasonal staff to conduct urban tree inventory and monitoring studies
• Communicate with diverse internal and external audiences through writing and public speaking
• Act as a technical resource on urban forestry research and practice, developing and updating policies and standards to support urban forest management goals

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:

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.

*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 American Disabilities Act, then please contact the Recruiter 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 leading urban forestry field work such as tree inventory and condition assessment utilizing industry best practices and methods
2. Experience managing complex projects, including workplan development, leading staff, documenting processes, and evaluating outcomes
3. Experience using GIS or similar software to collect and manage data for projects, reports, and maps.
4. Experience communicating with diverse audiences through writing, reports, and public speaking.

Applicants must also possess:

• 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.

STEP 1: Apply online between June 16 - June 30, 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.

• We have recently updated our veteran preference process. Starting March 3rd, 2025, If you made the eligible list and met the eligibility to receive veteran preference, you will no longer need to submit veteran documents for future recruitments.

  If you need to update or remove your veteran preference for a specific recruitment or from your master profile, please contact the recruiter listed in the job announcement.

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 can use AI tools to assist with your job application, but please make 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 June 30, 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 July 7, 2025

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

Step 4: Selection (Interview): Late July - Early August

• 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