Botanic Technician I

~ Portland's parks, public places, natural areas, and recreational opportunities give life and beauty to our city. These essential assets connect people to place, self, and others. Portland's residents treasure and care for this legacy, building on the past to provide for future generations. ~

The mission of Portland Parks & Recreation is to help Portlanders play - providing the safe places, facilities, and programs which promote physical, mental, and social activity. We get people, especially kids, outside, active, and connected to the community. As we do this, there will be an increase in the wellness of our residents and the livability of our city. 

Position Overview 

The City of Portland is accepting applications for the postion of Botanic
Technician I. This current vacancy exists in the Lands Stewardship Division - East Lands Natural Areas. Please note that this postion has a 4:30pm July 25 application deadline. 

The City of Portland, Oregon is a growing and diverse city of 620,000 residents, nearly 20% of whom speak languages other than English at home.

The successful candidate will have experience working with people from diverse racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds, and will have experience with the removal of barriers to access for underserved communities. Portland Parks & Recreation values a diverse workforce and seeks ways to promote equity and inclusion within the organization.

PP&R encourages applications from candidates with knowledge, ability and experience working with a broad range of individuals and diverse communities. Although not required, PP&R encourages candidates that can fluently speak another language to include that information in their resume. Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. 

Responsibilities  

• The Botanic Technician I performs natural resource restoration work as assigned.
• Removes non-native vegetation with hand and power landscaping equipment and herbicides.
• Plants native plants in natural area locations suited to the plants' growing requirements.
• Applies knowledge of botany, horticulture and/or natural resource areas to assignments.
• The Botanic Technician I may assist with the planning of activities and events and the development of communication and promotional materials, and works with volunteers and nonprofit organizations in carrying out projects.
• Individuals in these positions will need to effectively navigate and work in remote areas, including off trail in areas of uneven terrain and extreme weather.
• Positions may also work with soft surface trails.  

Additionally: 

• This recruitment may also be used to fill a position with Lands Stewardship Division Soft Surface Trails program.
• This position will help to maintain 180 miles of trails in natural areas across the city.
• This work includes working alongside staff and volunteers to perform soft surface trail construction and maintenance; analyze trail conditions; grade and reroute soft surface trails as directed; use hand and power tools; maintain bridges, crib walls, drainage features, rock walls, turnpikes and other infrastructure; and transport supplies and equipment to remote locations.

Qualifications 

The following minimum qualifications are required and should be reflected in your cover letter and resume: 

• Knowledge and experience applying the principles and practices of natural area restoration, vegetation management, basic park and facilities maintenance and/or trail maintenance.
• Ability and experience safely operating common and uncommon hand tools and small power equipment, for example, mowers, spray equipment, chainsaw, clinometer and power wheelbarrows.
• Ability and experience safely operating work vehicles in natural areas, parks and urban environments (i.e. utility vehicles, small trucks, tractors, and other vehicles).
• Ability and experience operating a personal computer and using word processing, spreadsheet and database software.
• Ability and experience providing onsite direction to volunteer workers possessing a wide variety of skills.
• Ability and experience working constructively in a team environment that includes culturally, racially and ethnically diverse employee and community members. 

Applicants must also possess: 

• For some positions the ability to obtain a public pesticide applicator's license within 6-months of appointment. This position will require experience and/or comfort mixing and applying herbicides.
• Successfully pass all phases of the Physical Capacities Test ( PCT).

Compensation: Salary is $20.08 - $26.91 hourly. 

To Apply 

• Please click below: "Apply Here!" to view more information about the postion and to access application instructions.  

~ The City is an Equal
Opportunity Employer. ~