Botanic Specialist III - Natural Resource Ecologist

Union Representation: Protec17. To view this labor agreement, please click here. 
Position Summary:
The City of Portland is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Botanic Specialist III (Ecologist) to join our team. This senior-level position is a team-oriented professional responsible for managing natural resource area projects and activities across various habitats within PP&R City Nature Natural Areas.  The City Nature Natural Areas program serves Portlanders by collaboratively stewarding urban natural areas to benefit people, wildlife and ecosystem health while providing safe, sustainable access to nature. This role places particular emphasis on collaborating with planners, scientists, engineers, permit authorities, contractors, community volunteers and non-profit organizations to develop and implement appropriate natural area resource and access enhancement, maintenance and management strategies, plans and solutions.   Responsibilities include planning, developing, organizing, managing and monitoring natural area access elements, resource protection, restoration, mitigation, and enhancement projects and programs that have a significant impact on the City’s natural areas. The incumbent will work with considerable independence to meet project goals while acting as a team leader for day-to-day operations and providing guidance to other specialists, technicians, and volunteers. Join us in our mission to protect and enhance Portland’s natural resources! Apply today and help make a difference in our vibrant community!
 
What you'll get to do:

• Serve as the site manager for an area of assignment or a portfolio of properties. Work to ensure and optimize ecological health, provide opportunities for recreation, maintain clean and safe access, and encourage public engagement. Lead the work of staff, volunteers, and contractors, and coordinate with other work units and partners using professional communication and a team-oriented work style.
• Prepare plans, organize, manage, and monitor resource protection, restoration, mitigation, and enhancement projects and programs. Design projects and develop plans and specifications for long-term restoration, riparian and upland revegetation, incorporating native plant species, slope stabilization, and erosion control plans.
• Conduct analyses and assessments and participate in the development of strategies and resource management plans. Assist in prioritizing and scheduling project work, including natural area habitat enhancement, trails, and other recreational assets, considering various factors and expected benefits.
• Collaborate with other work units, non-profit organizations, community volunteers, and resource management agencies on natural resource restoration and enhancement projects. Build partnerships, plan, and conduct activities and events to support program goals.
• Develop and implement methods for enhancing habitat and establishing herbaceous plant populations and native plant installations. Organize the purchasing of plants and other materials for project implementation.
• Manage complex projects, including estimating costs, developing and tracking budgets, resource allocation, and procurement of equipment, plants, and other materials. Track project progress by monitoring project status; provide oversight and direct, lead, and coordinate the daily work of contractors, volunteers, and other project staff.
• Prepare applications and obtain required regulatory compliance at the national, state, and local levels, including but not limited to wetlands and waterways, wildlife, and land use and development permits. Review applicable codes and design plans to assess their impact on the natural environment and evaluate the feasibility of implementation. Review and provide recommendations for conditions on permit requests. Participate in reviewing, commenting on, and contributing to capital development projects, including natural area development, wetland mitigation, and similar initiatives.
• Apply proficiency and confidence in the City’s Core values of emotional intelligence, peer support and training, intentional inclusion, clarity, intentional partnership, self-awareness, cultural humility, and mindfulness across various communication formats, including daily in-office and field operations, formal presentations, and electronic communications such as emails, plans, and reports, while conveying both informal and formal messaging to diverse audiences.
• Monitor and evaluate project success using standard protocols. Identify the needs for additional restoration and maintenance efforts using adaptive management.
• Stay informed on trends and developments, best management practices, and scientific research in natural resource management and enhancement. Participate in the activities of local, national, and international ecological, natural area, parks and recreation, and botanical organizations.
• Commit to government accountability and transparency.

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, abilities, 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.



*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 Americans with Disabilities Act, then please contact the Recruiter or Program Lead for assistance.

Have a question?
Contact Information:
 TroyLynn Craft
 Senior Recruiter
 troylynn.craft@portlandoregon.govThe following minimum qualifications are required for this position:

1. Knowledge of natural resource practices, including but not limited to undesirable species, climate change, wildfire management, carrying capacity impacts on ecosystem health, methods for building ecosystem resiliency, Indigenous traditional ecological and cultural knowledge (ITECK), and its practical application to land stewardship.
2. Ability to lead with a team-oriented style exhibiting exceptional professional communication skills and abilities, and enthusiasm to lead a field-based operation and strategically plan, prioritize, schedule, and lead field staff, contractors and volunteers using safe work practices.
3. Experience in conservation and parks project management, including coordinating open communication and input, creating proposals, incorporating measurable outcomes, managing permitting, estimating costs, tracking budgets, reviewing engineering designs and specifications.
4. Knowledge of the principles, methods and practices of natural area management and natural resource protection, including ecosystem and water quality management, habitat enhancement, vegetation management, erosion control methods and techniques, monitoring protocols, and recreational management in natural areas.
5. Experience in managing natural areas, assessing, planning, monitoring, evaluating results and recommending adaptive management strategies within various habitat types and regarding different disturbance regimes using strong organizational and reporting skills, and fluency in modern technology tools used by natural area managers.
6. Experience recognizing and controlling threats to ecosystem health, such as non-desirable insects, diseases, wildlife and plants, using best management practices and integrated pest management programs to implement work priorities.

Applicants must also possess:

• A valid state driver's license and an acceptable driving record 
• The ability to obtain an Oregon Department of Agriculture Public Pesticide Applicator license within six months of appointment.

STEP 1: Apply online between February 10 - 24. 2025

•  Required Application Materials: Resume
• Answer to the Supplemental Questions (click on the Questions tab to preview the questions)

Optional Application Materials:

• If 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 Tips:

• Your responses to the supplemental questions should include details describing your education, training and/or experience, and where obtained, which clearly reflects 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.
• 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 any additional documents.
• Please note, all completed applications for this position must be submitted no later than on 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 February 24, 2025

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

Step 3: Establishment of Eligible List: Week of March 3, 2025

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

Step 4: Selection (Interview): Late March/Early April

• Hiring bureau will review and select candidates for an interview.

Step 5: Offer of Employment

Step 6: Start Date: 

• A start date will be determined after all conditions of employment have been met.

*Timeline is approximate and subject to change.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

Salary : $85,862 - $109,595