Came across another Portland job listing. EVERYTHING is about race in Portland. It is insane. When I moved here 30 years ago it was 80% white. These same white people have voted themselves out of everything. The self hate is palpable. This is happening all across the country in big cities. America is being destroyed and you cannot convince half the people.
Position Summary:
Portland Parks & Recreation Urban Forestry is seeking a Community Stewardship Specialist (job class Botanic Specialist I: Forestry). Join a growing team dedicated to engaging diverse communities in the planting and care of urban trees. This position leads tree care, planting, and education events for volunteers. The position also conducts outreach with communities and organizations to promote tree planting, care, and job skills.
If you are committed to supporting the planting and care of Portland’s trees with Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) communities, low-income residents, and East and North Portland neighborhoods, we want to hear from you!
This position also serves as the sponsor for the Portland Parks & Recreation Youth Conservation Crew (YCC) Tree Crew. The YCC program is a job skills training program for youth, many identifying as BIPOC and/or living with low incomes. As sponsor, this position coordinates with YCC program staff and adult crew leaders to manage a summer Tree Crew as they conduct tree care and inventory activities. During the school year, the sponsor also coordinates and hosts Saturday stewardship days for YCC members.
We are seeking a team member who is deeply committed to ensuring that underserved communities are at the heart of our tree planting and outreach initiatives. In this exciting role you will work in both the office and field. You will also spend significant time working with partners in the community.
What you'll get to do:
Volunteer and Education Events (35%)
- Plan and conduct fun, inclusive, and safe volunteer events to plant and care for urban trees. Many events are culturally specific and are co-created with partner groups.
- Develop and conduct urban tree education talks and events focused on engaging BIPOC communities and youth.
- Teach young tree care, including how to plant, mulch, weed, prune, water, and safely use tools.
- Organize logistics: select sites, secure permits, write detailed agendas, order supplies, communicate with staff and volunteers, and conduct event set up/tear down.
- Assess and report on event outcomes, suggesting improvements and tracking progress.
Youth Conservation Crew Tree Crew (35%)
- Collaborate with the YCC team to manage a summer crew of ten youth, two adult leaders, and one assistant adult crew leader.
- Organize and plan a schedule of summer tree maintenance and data collection for young trees at school and Park sites.
- Assist with interviews and selection for adult crew members and youth.
- Train adult crew leaders on proper tool use, safety, and arboriculture basics. Provide coaching and support to ensure adult crew leaders effectively and safely teach skills to youth in a group setting.
- Organize tools, supplies, schedules, vehicles, and resources needed to care for trees.
- Mentor, problem solve, and guide adult crew leaders on tree care and youth management.
Outreach (30%)
- Seek and cultivate partnerships with community organizations to create joint programming that promotes tree equity, environmental justice, tree planting and tree care.
- Present, speak, and network at community events to promote urban tree planting and care, PP&R Urban Forestry programs, and job opportunities.
- Speak passionately about the benefits and services that trees provide, such as shade, clean air and water, habitat, and health.
- Listen actively and empathetically to partner and community needs and concerns around trees and partnerships.
- Develop outreach plans, advertising, and social media posts to promote PP&R Urban Forestry programs. Prepare clear and concise communication materials for various audiences.
Who you are:
- Inclusive and culturally competent: You are a leader and advocate for equity, work effectively across cultures, and thrive in a diverse team.
- Collaborative: You enjoy working with a team, developing, and supporting relationships, and bringing people together to achieve shared goals.
- Organized and Efficient: You can manage complex projects, multiple deadlines, requests, and communication.
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's 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 45 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, 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.
