Botanic Technician II - Vegetation Management

The Position

Job Appointment: Regular, Full-time

Work Schedule: Tuesday - Saturday 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM

Work Location: This position reports to Hoyt Arboretum at 4000 SW Fairview Blvd., with field locations in NW and SW Portland. This is primarily an office and field-based positio n.

Benefits: Please check our benefits tab for an overview of benefits for this position.

Language Pay Premium Eligible: This position is or may be eligible for Language Pay Differential for qualifying employees.

Union Representation: This classification is represented by the Professional Technical Employees, Local 17 (PROTEC 17). To view this labor agreement, please click here .

Application Material: Please click APPLY to submit your application via the City of Portland’s online portal. You will need to respond to the supplemental questions and attach a resume.

Position Summary

Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) seeks to fill a Botanic Technician II – Vegetation Management position that supports Portland Parks & Recreation’s City Nature West Natural Areas unit and its approximate 6,000 acre portfolio. The Botanic Technician II - Vegetation Management position will focus on vegetation management, addressing invasive species control utilizing a variety of manual, mechanical, chemical, and cultural tools, and following the City of Portland’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program. In addition to invasive species control, the Botanic Technician II will be responsible for carrying out restoration activities that involve revegetation with native plants, wildfire risk reduction, downed tree removal, habitat creation, and monitoring and maintenance of natural area assets. This position works in a team-based environment and collaborates with program leads and site ecologists (Botanic Specialists II and III) and other Botanic Technicians I and II. The geographic focus is PP&R natural areas on the westside of the Willamette River, including Forest Park, Marquam Nature Park, and 34 other Natural Areas. In addition to natural area restoration, this position will provide partnership and leadership to community-based stewardship events to accomplish natural area restoration activities. It will also advance the work of the PP&R City Nature West natural areas team by improving the overall ecological conditions of westside Natural Areas.

As a Botanic Technician II, You Will

• Perform natural resource restoration work as assigned, including removing non-native vegetation with a variety of tools (manual, mechanical, chemical, and cultural) in accordance with the City of Portland’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program; plant native species in natural areas and troubleshoot issues in the field.
• Oversee natural area restoration contractors to ensure IPM standards are met, work is thorough, and safety protocols are followed.
• Implement assigned project plan activities; assess requirements and arrange for materials, tools, equipment, and resources, and procure necessary project materials.
• Organize , train , and lead Botanic Technician I staff, seasonal employees, volunteers, youth, and community nonprofit work partners; conduct safety demonstrations and present information; secure supplies; monitor crew well-being and respond to emergencies as needed.
• Assist with designing and planning basic habitat enhancement projects; coordinate and plan assigned project components; implement tasks within the scope of assigned project plans.
• Perform basic facility maintenance using hand and power tools.
• Respond to emergencies related to trails and access points in natural areas, including tree removal and trail stabilization.
• Input data into inventory databases; track and report site conditions; use data to make informed work priority recommendations.
• Remove illegally dumped debris and transient camps.
• Support general natural resource projects as well as landscape maintenance or construction efforts.
• Troubleshot field challenges and ensure quality results with minimal oversight.
• Coordinate materials and equipment needs for timely project implementation.
• Maintain accurate records, track volunteer hours, and manage data systems efficiently.
  
  

As a Person, You Are

• Inclusive: Someone who values and respects diversity and has a desire or lived experience of working with and serving people from a variety of backgrounds; uses DEI concepts and an equity lens to guide and inform your work
• Collaborative: An outgoing professional who values partnership and develops and supports relationships to get things done
• Solutions-Oriented: Uses strong communication skills to work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders to create, implement, and document solutions
• Organized and Efficient: Experienced in managing multiple deadlines, frequent requests for information, and heavy call/email volume; as well as able to collect, manage, and professionally report on data
• Emotionally Intelligent: Motivated, passionate, team-oriented, and empathetic
  
  

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 who can fluently speak another language to include that information in their application materials. Multilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

Virtual Zoom Meet & Greet Opportunity

Come meet the hiring manager and the senior recruiter! We'll be talking about the position's duties and responsibilities, day-to-day life in the role, review the announcement, discuss how to apply, and answer questions you may have about the position.

Topic: Meet & Greet: Botanic Technician II - Vegetation Management

Time: Aug 13, 2025 12:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87893741654

Meeting ID: 878 9374 1654

• Please note: AI Notetaking apps will not be allowed into virtual sessions hosted by the Bureau of Human Resources Recruitment Team. If you need accommodations as defined by the American Disabilities Act, then please contact the Recruiter for assistance.
  
  

Questions?

Amanda Hillebrecht, Senior Recruiter

Bureau of Human Resources

Amanda.Hillebrecht@portlandoregon.gov

To Qualify

Applicants must specifically address and demonstrate how they meet the following minimum qualifications through their resume and answers to supplemental questions. The City of Portland will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your materials on how your experiences meet the requirements in this section.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of natural area restoration work, including IPM (Integrated Pest Management), utilizing manual, mechanical, cultural, and chemical means to remove invasive species and revegetate with native plants
• E xperience in one or more of the following: habitat creation, erosion control, Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), or wildfire risk reduction
• Ability to utilize best practices in anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion to create an inclusive team environment with staff and volunteers
• Ability to operate specialty equipment such as chainsaws, pruners, chipper,s and power wheelbarrows
• Ability to plan, organize, implement, and provide leadership and direction to staff and volunteers to accomplish natural area maintenance and restoration activities.
  
  

Applicants 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.) and pass a Physical Capacities Test upon job offer.
• CPR and First Aid certification and/or willingness and ability to acquire certification within 6 months of hire.
• Ability to receive United States Forest Service chainsaw certification within 6 months of hire.
• Ability to receive a public pesticide applicator license within 6 months of hire.
  
  

The Recruitment Process

STEP 1: Apply online between August 4 , 2025, and August 18, 2025

Required Application Materials

• Resume
• Answer to the Supplemental Questions (click on the Questions tab to preview the questions)
  
  

Optional Application Materials

• Veteran documents to request Veteran Preference (ex, DD214-Member 4, VA Benefit Letter, etc.)
  
  

Application Tips

• The City of Portland has How to Apply Videos and offers How to Apply Classes once per month. If you have questions after watching the videos, you are invited to contact the recruiter listed on the announcement.
• Your responses to the supplemental questions should include details describing your education, training, and/or experience, and where obtained, which clearly reflect your qualifications for each of the numbered items in the "To Qualify" section of this announcement.
• Your resume should support the details described in your responses to the supplemental questions.
• How We Determine Pay: The City of Portland is covered by 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. It is strongly encouraged to include any transferable experience (paid or unpaid, regardless of how recent) to ensure your offer is reflective of all your relevant experience.
• Do not attach materials not requested.
• All completed applications for this position must be submitted no later than the closing date and time of this recruitment.
• All applications must be submitted via the City's online application process. E-mailed and/or faxed applications will not be accepted.
• You can use AI tools to assist with your job application, but please make sure to personalize your responses to supplemental questions. Avoid copying and pasting; instead, use AI to generate ideas and then tailor them to reflect your own experiences and skills.
  
  

Step 2: Minimum Qualification Evaluation: Week of August 18, 2025

• An evaluation of each applicant's training and paid and unpaid experience, as demonstrated in their resume and supplemental questions, is weighted 100%.
• Your resume 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 results. Please read the City of Portland Administrative Rule 3.01 for complete information.
• Additional evaluation may be required before the establishment of the eligible list and/or final selection.
  
  

Step 3: Establishment of Eligible List: Week of August 25, 2025

• Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on the equally ranked eligible list.
  
  

Step 4: Selection (Interview): September 2025

• The hiring bureau will review and select candidates to interview.
  
  

Step 5: Offer of Employment: Late September 2025

Step 6: Start Date: October 2025

• A start date will be determined after all conditions of employment have been met.
• Timeline is approximate and subject to change*
  
  

Additional Information

Click here for additional information regarding the following:

• Veteran Preference
• ADA, Pregnancy, and Religious Accommodations
• Work Status
• Equal Employment Opportunity