Botanic Technician I - Generalist (Protect the Best Program)

The PositionJob Appointment: Full-time, RegularWork Schedule: 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday-FridayWork Location: In-person, Hoyt Arboretum, 4000 SW Fairview Blvd, Portland, OR 97205Benefits: Please check our benefits tab for an overview of benefits for this position.Language Pay Premium Eligible: This position may be eligible for Language Pay Differential for qualifying employees.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.About This PositionThe Botanic Technician I (Protect the Best) position plays a key role in safeguarding Portland Parks & Recreation’s highest-value natural areas by focusing on invasive species management, ecological restoration, wildfire-risk reduction, and adaptive land-stewardship practices.This Botanic Technician I role is part of City Nature West – Land Stewardship, with a primary assignment to the Protect the Best (PTB) program. PTB’s mission is to prevent the spread of invasive species, protect intact ecosystems, improve habitat resiliency, and reduce wildfire risk across PP&R natural areas.This is a field-based, physically demanding position that works year-round in remote and challenging environments, including:steep terraindense vegetationoff-trail locationsuneven surfacesall-weather conditionsThe PTB Botanic Technician I must demonstrate strong situational awareness, independent field judgment, adaptability, and the ability to work safely in dynamic natural-area environments.In addition to PTB-focused work, the technician performs routine, planned, and emergency field operations; maintains and operates field equipment; and collects and enters data using PP&R asset systems, City applications, and GIS tools. The position also supports volunteer stewardship events and collaborates with Youth Corps crews as needed.The eligible list created from this recruitment may also be used to fill future Botanic Technician I positions throughout the City.As a Botanic Technician I, You WillRestore and maintain habitat through native plant identification, planting, site preparation, and plant care.Identify, monitor, and control invasive vegetation using manual, mechanical, and herbicide-based methods, including EDRR for emerging species.Perform ecological restoration and habitat enhancement to support native vegetation establishment.Conduct wildfire fuels reduction by removing ladder fuels, woody debris, and invasive vegetation to mitigate wildfire risk.Maintain natural-area access through debris removal, basic infrastructure upkeep, and assigned emergency response activities.Operate and maintain field equipment, including hand tools, chainsaws, backpack sprayers, power equipment, and work vehicles.Safely traversesteep, remote terrainwhile completing field tasks in all conditions.Collect and input field data using digital tools, GIS, and City asset systems.Support volunteer stewardship events in natural-area settings.Assist Youth Corps crews during field projects.About The BureauPortland 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.Have a question?Contact InformationAmanda HillebrechtSenior RecruiterAmanda.Hillebrecht@portlandoregon.govTo QualifyTo QualifyQualifications The following minimum qualifications are required for this position: Experience working effectively as part of a team, communicating in alignment with the City’s Core Values, and following established policies and procedures.Experience inidentifying and controlling undesirable vegetation using manual, cultural, mechanical, and/or herbicide-based methods.Knowledge of basic ecological restoration and natural-area stewardship practices.Experience using standard field tools and equipment such as hand tools, handheld power equipment, and backpack sprayers.Experience collecting and entering field data into digital systems (e.g., spreadsheets, mobile apps, or basic GIS/GPS platforms).Ability to perform fieldwork independently, adapt to changing conditions, and complete tasks safely and effectively.Applicants Must Also PossessA valid state driver’s license and an acceptable driving record .The ability to pass a Pre-Hire Evaluation —this may include a medical exam, screenings, and a Physical Capacities Test (PCT)—after an offer of employment has been made and accepted.Oregon Department of Agriculture pesticide applicator certifications (Laws and Safety and Forestry categories), or the ability to obtain them within three months of hire.Preferred QualificationsExperience in ecological restoration or natural-resource management beyond basic field tasks.Experience with wildfire-fuels mitigation or wildfire-preparedness activities.Chainsaw certification or advanced equipment operation experience (e.g., skid steers, power wheelbarrows).Skill in identifying native and invasive plant species in Pacific Northwest ecosystems.Proficiency using GIS, Field Maps, GPS units, or digital field-data tools.Experience working in remote, steep, or off-trail natural area environments.Wilderness First Aid or CPR certification.The Recruitment ProcessSTEP 1: Apply online between May 18, 2026 – May 26, 2026 Required Application Materials: ResumeAnswer to the Supplemental Questions (click on the Questions tab to preview the questions)Optional Application MaterialsIf you would like to request Veteran's Preference, please submit your Veteran documents (ex, DD214-Member 4, VA Benefit Letter, etc.) by the closing date of the recruitment.Application TipsYour 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 résumé should support the details described in your responses to the supplemental questions.Do not attach any additional documents.Please note that all completed applications for this position must be submitted no later than the closing date and time of this recruitment.You may use AI tools to assist with your job application, but please be sure to personalize your responses to supplemental questions. Avoid copying and pasting. We encourage using AI to generate ideas and then tailor them to reflect your own experiences and skills. All applications must be submitted via the City's online application process. E-mailed and/or faxed applications will not be accepted. Step 2: Minimum Qualification Evaluation: Week of May 26, 2026 An evaluation of each applicant's training and paid and unpaid experience, as demonstrated in their resume and supplemental questions, is weighted 100%.Your résumé 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 June 1, 2026 Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on the equally ranked eligible list.Step 4: Selection (Interview): June/July 2026 The hiring bureau will review and select candidates for an interview.Step 5: Offer of Employment: July 2026 Step 6: Pre-Employment Exam – Preplacement Physical Examination: July 2026 As part of the conditional job offer, candidates must complete a Prehire Evaluation during the hiring process/probationary period. The Prehire Evaluation may consist of a medical exam, screenings, and a physical capacities test (PCT) required for work clearance and safety compliance. The PCT measures physical ability through job-related tasks such as lifting, carrying, climbing, shoveling, and repetitive movements. Unless already employed in a City position requiring a similar or more demanding PCT, candidates must pass all required tasks to proceed with employment. For more information, visit the Prehire Evaluation page .Step 6: Start Date: July 2026 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:City of Portland Core ValuesRecruitment Process - Work StatusEqual Employment OpportunityVeteran PreferenceADA, Pregnancy, and Religious AccommodationsAn Equal Opportunity Employer