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.



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

1. Ability to learn professional arboricultural practices, including the operation of tools and equipment used in tree care.
2. Ability to perform assigned tasks while adhering safely and effectively to OSHA and ANSI standards.
3. Ability to understand and follow instructions and communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
4. 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.

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.
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