City of Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon, United States
Mar 26, 2024
Full Time
The Position Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) is looking for a motivated and team-oriented candidate to join the Land Stewardship Division as their City Nature Citywide Program Support - Botanic Technician I (CSA II)! Job Appointment: Casual This position is identified as one that performs Professional and Technical Employees, Local 17 (PROTEC17) body of work similar to that of a Botanic Technician I. This position will be temporarily placed into the classification of Community Service Aide II (CSA II) and then converted to a PROTEC17 classification once it has been identified. Community Service Aide (CSA II) positions have a maximum of 1,400 hours in a calendar year. Work Schedule: This role will work 16 to 24 hours/week with seasonal variability. A typical schedule will be 7:00am to 3:30 pm. From December through March, there is potential for a 32 hours/week schedule during the busier planting season. Must be available most Saturdays from October through May for volunteer event support. There may be extended time off around the holidays and between June and September. This role is expected to be available to work occasional evenings and holidays. There will be some flexibility in this schedule. This position will work closely with their supervisor to determine their schedule, based on candidate and bureau needs. Note: This Community Service Aide (CSA II) position has a maximum of 1,400 hours in a calendar year. Work Location: This position is based at the Parks Ross Island Maintenance Facility, 4315 SE McLoughlin Blvd., Portland, OR, 97202. Field work will occur in various neighborhoods across Portland. City vehicles will be provided for transportation to field sites. Benefits : These positions have limited benefit eligibility. Casual employees accrue City sick time at a rate of 1 hour for every 30 hours worked or 1 and 1/3 hours for every 40 hours worked, up to a maximum of 40 hours per calendar year. Casual employees have access to the City’s EAP program through ComPsych. They can become eligible for health benefits through the City’s Affordable Care Act (ACA) policy. This policy measures benefit eligible employee’s hours during set 6-month measurement periods throughout the year. If an employee does meet the hours requirement for benefits coverage, benefits would start first of the month following a 60-day administrative period. The Benefits office would reach out to the employee if they should become eligible. Union Representation : This classification is represented by Professional and Technical Employees, Local 17 (PROTEC17). Contract rights for seasonal/casual employees are provided under Schedule C. To view this labor agreement, please click here . Application Materials : Please click APPLY to submit your application via the City of Portland’s online portal. You will need to submit a r é sum é and responses to supplemental questions for this application. Position Summary Portland Parks & Recreation’s City Nature Citywide Program is actively seeking a part-time staff member to work in various capacities supporting natural area volunteer stewardship and soft-surface trail maintenance. This is a field-based position, with very limited ability for telework. The City Nature Citywide (CNC) work unit, within the Land Stewardship Division of Portland Parks & Recreation, consists of two distinct programs: The Stewardship Program connects the work of City Nature Natural Areas to the community. The Stewardship Coordinators are a team of five staffers that build and maintain relationships with community organizations, schools, businesses, and individuals. They host environmental restoration, trails, and habitat improvement projects. They also host environmental education and community science events for volunteers of all ages and backgrounds. The Soft-Surface Trails team assures that the pathways into and through PP&R Natural Areas are well built, safe, and welcoming for all. This team maintains and manages more than 120 miles of trails in PP&R’s Natural Areas, including Forest Park and Powell Butte. In addition to routine trail maintenance and technical construction and repairs, this team also plans and maintains trail signage and wayfinding. This team also completes storm response and downed- tree removal, assessing and monitoring trails for sustainability, accessibility, and user safety. This part-time position will support both programs, with a focus on the Volunteer Stewardship program. Under the guidance and direction of Stewardship Coordinators, this role will prepare for and lead habitat enhancement volunteer events and projects including, but not limited to: planting and caring for native plants, removal of nuisance weeds and non-native plants, basic trail maintenance, trash removal, and other habitat enhancement or community science projects. In the field, this role will t each safety guidelines and any specific techniques needed for the project at hand. The role will include professional development, networking, and growth opportunities, providing an excellent opportunity for those looking to develop and grow their skills and experience in volunteer engagement, habitat and natural area restoration, and soft-surface trails work. Information: Information about the Parks City Nature Stewardship Program can be found here: www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/stewardship What you'll get to do: Under the direction and guidance of Stewardship Coordinators, this role provides support and engagement to a wide variety of volunteers, school groups, and other groups in habitat enhancement and restoration projects in PP&R’s natural areas. Provide direction and instruction to volunteers about projects at each event. For example, this role will instruct volunteers about tool safety, proper planting methods, and demonstrate best practices for a given task. Assist with pre- and post-event tasks such as loading and unloading supplies, as well event set up and clean up. Assist with general natural resource tasks which include, but are not limited to: installing native plants, removing non-native plants, litter pick-up/trash removal, storm response on downed trees, fence repair, and sign replacement . Conduct basic trail maintenance and repairs under the direction of the Trails Team staff. Occasional office support as needed. This includes, but is not limited to: basic data entry, assistance with organizing projects and event planning. An ideal candidate may have one or more of the following: Experience leading or teaching outdoor education and/or environmental education to volunteers of all ages and a wide variety of backgrounds. Knowledge of Pacific Northwest ecosystems, and/or other natural resource skills. such as plant identification, non-native nuisance weed removal, navigating through remote terrain, or leading wilderness trips, etc. Experience in various aspects of sustainable soft-surface trail building, maintenance, and repair. Understanding of and experience with Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge (ITEK) that can be applied in natural area habitat enhancement. Degree(s) or coursework in natural resources, environmental education, environmental science, horticulture, outdoor recreation, and/or ecology. 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. Studies have shown that women and People of Color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your life experiences and qualifications for the role. Virtual Zoom Meet & Greet Opportunity Come meet the hiring manager and the recruiter! We will review the job announcement and discuss what a typical day looks like for this position. We will also devote time to answer any questions you may have about the application process and/or the position. Wednesday, April 3, 2024, 5:30PM-6:30PM Pacific Time (US and Canada) Zoom Meeting Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86044460177 Have a question? Contact Information: Vanessa Valdez, Recruiter Bureau of Human Resources Vanessa.Valdez@portlandoregon.gov To Qualify The following minimum qualifications are required for this position: Experience leading, teaching, and working with volunteers, children or teens, and/or the public, preferably in an outdoor and/or environmental education setting. Experience working or volunteering in natural resources, such as habitat restoration, trail work or natural area maintenance. Ability to do repetitive motions, such as digging and tool management. Ability to lift and carry items up to 50 lbs. Knowledge of and/or lived experience with working and collaborating with diverse and/or historically underserved communities. Applicants Must Also Have a valid driver's license and acceptable driving record at the time of hire. Have the ability to pass a background check Have the ability to work outdoors for extended periods in all seasons, including in challenging weather conditions, off-trail, and on uneven ground. Have CPR and First Aid Certification. Alternatively, a candidate must have the ability to acquire certification within 6 months of hire date . The Recruitment Process Step 1: Apply online between March 25, 2024 - April 15, 2024 Required Application Materials: Ré sum é Responses to Supplemental Questions Optional Application Materials: If you would like to request Veterans' Preference, please submit your Veteran documents (ex, DD214-Member 4, VA Benefit Letter, etc) by the closing date of the recruitment. To learn about Veterans' Preference click here. Application Tips Do not attach any additional documents not requested. Your responses to the supplemental questions should include details describing your education, training and/or experience (personal or professional), and where obtained, which clearly reflects your qualifications for each of the numbered items in the "To Qualify" section of this announcement. Please note, all completed applications for this position must be submitted no later than on the closing date and time of this recruitment. Emailed and/or faxed applications will not be accepted. Step 2: Minimum Qualification Evaluation: Week of 4/15/2024 An evaluation of each applicant's training and paid and unpaid experience, as demonstrated in their r é sum é and responses to supplemental questions, weighted 100%. Your r é sum é 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 result. Please read the City of Portland Administrative Rule 3.01 for complete information. Step 3: Establishment of Eligible List: Week of 4/22/2024 Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on the equally ranked eligible list. Step 4: Selection (Interview): Round 1: Week of May 6, 2024. Interviews will be virtual. Round 2: Week of May 13, 2024. Interviews will be in-person Hiring bureau will review and select candidates for an interview. Please note, the selection process may take up to 90 days from the notification of being placed on the eligible list. Step 5: Offer of Employment: Mid May 2024 Step 6: Start Date: Late May 2024 - Early June 2024 A start date will be determined after all conditions of employment have been met. *Timeline is approximate and subject to change without notice* Additional Information Click here for additional information regarding the following: City of Portland Core Values Recruitment Process - Work Status Equal Employment Opportunity Veteran Preference ADA, Pregnancy, and Religious Accommodations An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer This summary outlines the benefit programs, actual benefits may vary depending on bargaining unit and employment status. The City of Portland offers a comprehensive benefit package that is competitive with other private and public sector employers. More detailed information can be obtained by calling the Health & Financial Benefits Office at 503-823-6031. Health Care (Medical, Vision and Dental) Casual employees can become eligible for health benefits (medical, dental & vision) through Affordable Care Act (ACA) employer provisions if they meet the necessary paid hours requirement, as determined by the Health & Financial Benefits Office. Retirement Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP) The City currently pays the employee's share of the retirement contribution. Employees who are OPSRP members are vested after five years of contributions or when they reach age 65 (age 60 for police and fire.) Sick Leave Casual employees accrue sick leave as outlined in the City of Portland protected sick time law. Family Medical Leave In accordance with federal and state law, and the City policy for family medical leave, the City grants family and medical leave to eligible employees for certain family and medical related reasons. Closing Date/Time: 4/15/2024 11:59 PM Pacific