Botanic Specialist I – Natural Resources Youth & Community Programs (Stewardship Coordinator)

Job Appointment: Full time, regular 
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 N and NE Portland. This is primarily an office and field-based position, with some ability for telework.
Union Representation: PROTEC-17. To view current labor agreements, click here.
Starting Pay:  The City of Portland follows 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.

Position Summary

Are you a knowledgeable natural resource 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 the City Nature Natural Areas unit. This stewardship coordinator role involves developing and implementing culturally inclusive community stewardship programs in PP&R natural areas and parks, primarily focusing on the Columbia Slough Watershed including Whitaker Ponds, Kelly Point Park, Wilkes Headwaters, Columbia Children’s Arboretum, and seven other natural areas. The position will collaborate closely with community-led and nonprofit organizations, school groups, Friends groups, culturally specific groups, religious organizations, businesses, and the public to provide high-quality volunteer events and experiences. The role aims to improve access to nature and enhance the ecological conditions of eastside natural areas, applying an equity lens to all aspects of work and partnership building. Candidates will present information and lead work parties with small and large groups, build relationships with diverse communities, 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 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 through databases, spreadsheets, etc.
• Maintainthe Stewardship Program website in collaboration with other PP&R stewardship team staff.
• Serve as primary public and staff contact for stewardship-related matters on Columbia Slough Watershed Natural Areas. Answer questions and concerns from the public, providing strong customer service and a solutions-oriented approach. Maintain positive relationships with volunteers and partners; 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 jobshiringnearme.org 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 Portland Parks & Recreation:

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, 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 

Meet the hiring manager and the senior recruiter to learn more about this position, how to apply, and what it’s like to work with the City of Portland. 

Date: Friday, October 16th

Time: 12:30 pm

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87486519096

(Note: Al Notetaking apps are not permitted. If you need ADA accommodations, please contact the recruiter below.)

To Qualify

Applicants must describe in their supplemental question responses and resume how their education, training, work experience and/or lived experience meets each of the following minimum qualifications: 

• 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 PP&R 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.
• Experience with 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, environmental education, 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 andutilize 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.

Candidates 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, restoration ecology, GIS mapping, navigating through remote terrain, etc.
• Bicultural and/or Bilingual with Spanish/English skills or other languages.
• Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder certification
• Understanding of and experience with Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) that can be applied in natural area habitat enhancement.