Botanic Specialist I - Natural Resources Youth & Community Programs

Salary: $37.25 - $47.56 Hourly
Location : Parks Ross Island Maintenance Facility, 4315 SE McLoughlin Blvd, Portland, OR 97202, OR
Job Type: Regular
Job Number:
Bureau: Portland Parks & Recreation
Opening Date: 10/12/2026
Closing Date: 10/26/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

The Position
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,.
Starting Pay: The City of Portland follows the 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.
• Maintain the 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 Conservation 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.

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:

(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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Ability to lead, mentor, coach, and work with teenagers from many different backgrounds and life experiences.
6. 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
• 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.

The Recruitment Process
How to Apply:

• Submit your resume and respond to the supplemental questionsby the closing date.
• (Optional) Submit Veterans' Preference documents, if applicable.
  If this is your first time applying with the City of Portland, or if you haven't requested veteran preference before (and would like to now), please attach your DD214-Member 4 and/or VA Benefit Letter to your application. Once we verify your eligibility, we'll record your veteran preference in our system, so it automatically applies to your future applications.

What to Expect:

1. Application Review - (Week of October 26th): We'll review your application materials to ensure you meet the minimum qualifications listed above.
2. Notice/Feedback - (Week of November 2nd): You will receive an email when the minimum qualification review is complete. If you disagree with the evaluation results, you may request a review within 14 days of the email notice, per
3. Selection Process - (November/December): The hiring manager will review qualified applications, conduct interviews, and check references.
   1. Potential Interview Dates-Round One: Dec. 2nd and 3rd; Round Two: Dec. 15th and 17th (subject to change)
4. Conditional Job Offer - (Late December): Final candidates may undergo a background or driving record check, depending on the position.

Additional Information
Learn More About:

We're committed to providing a fair, inclusive, and accessible hiring process. If you need assistance with your application or would like to request a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, pregnancy, or religious belief, please contact the recruiter listed below.

Questions? We're here to help!If you have questions about this recruitment or need assistance, contact:

Amanda Hillebrecht, Senior Recruiter
Amanda.HillebrechtBureau of Human Resources
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
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Retirement
• Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), including contributions 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.
01

Thank you for considering joining the City of Portland. We sincerely value your time and hope to make your application experience as positive as possible.

The following supplemental questions are an important step in the examination and selection process to assist us in determining if you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities to succeed in the posted vacancy.

A lack of a complete and thorough response to each of the supplemental questions in the space provided may result in disqualification from the examination. In addition, the selections you make and responses you provide in the questionnaire must accurately reflect what is documented in your resume.

Have you read and understood the information listed above?

• Yes
• No - If you have any questions, please contact the recruiter on the announcement.

02

Where did you first learn about this job opportunity? (If on a website or job board, please specify which one)
03

The City of Portland sometimes gets requests for public records. Please choose the response that best fits your preference:
(Your choice will not affect your application process.)

• I want my application to stay private. I understand that the City of Portland will keep my information confidential unless required to share it by law.
• I allow my application to be shared. I understand that by choosing this option, my information is no longer private.

04

Minimum Qualification 1: Please describe your 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.

In your response, include details that clearly reflect how you meet this minimum qualification. Such as:

• Examples of when you used the knowledge skill or ability.
• Role you served in (professiona