Urban Forestry Tree InSpection (Portland, Oregon)

[CommuniTREE]

 

Job Posting for Urban Forestry Tree Inspector (Tree Inspector) - Open Continuous at City of Portland, OR

The Position
This recruitment will remain open through June 30, 2023. Applications received by 1/22/23 at 11:59PM will participate in the initial review period. Applications received after that will participate in the next review period, approximately every three (3) weeks. Applicants may only apply every two (2) months.

About this position:
Portland Parks & Recreation is seeking Urban Forestry Tree Inspectors. Tree Inspectors play an integral role in carrying out the City's Tree Code to protect, preserve, restore, and expand the urban forest.

About the work:
The position is of an advanced professional and technical scope in the evaluation and assessment of trees to enforce City tree code regulations. Tree Inspectors perform on-site tree condition assessments, tree risk and tree preservation field inspections, site plan review and tree code compliance investigations to evaluate, process and issue non-development and development tree permits while engaging in extensive public communications and interactions. The work is performed independently under the direction of the Permitting & Regulation Manager and City Forester.

You must have a valid current ISA Certified Arborist Certification at time of application and this certification must be maintained during employment.
As a Tree Inspector you will:
Be an active participant in furthering a positive work culture and environment that values safety, equity, quality, and productivity.
Be committed to racial justice, diversity, equity and inclusion. Fully participate in dismantling institutional racism at the Bureau and the City.
Process and administer tree permit applications on private and City properties through on-site tree inspections to make permitting decisions and provide mitigation recommendations.
Interpret residential and commercial site development plans and other development related documents to perform plan review and process development permit applications
Respond to inquiries from residents, developers and internal stakeholders to provide education, assistance, and information on the tree permit regulations
Interpret a variety of city codes, policies, and regulations.
Work closely with the Permitting & Regulation Supervisor and Manager, Operations Manager, City Forester, other City infrastructure bureaus and other public agencies to implement the City’s Tree Code.

Work in this class is performed in a field and office environment. Office locations include:
10910 N Denver Ave
1900 SW 4th Avenue
Tree Inspector is represented by the Portland City Laborers(PCL-LL483). To view this labor agreement, please go to https://www.portland.gov/bhr/employee-relations/labor-relations/labor-agreements and click on the appropriate link.

About Portland Parks & Recreation
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 resume. Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

About Urban Forestry and Portland’s Forest:

Urban Forestry's mission is to manage and ensure Portland’s urban forest infrastructure for current and future generations. Portland’s urban forest is valued at over $6 billion and comprised of over 1.2 million park trees, 218,000 street trees and 2.9 million private property trees. The Urban Forestry team is responsible for the overall management, stewardship and improvement of this essential infrastructure system. Urban Forestry’s work includes delivery of sustainable and equitable forest services to all Portlanders; establishing and enacting best management practices, plans, policies and technical standards for tree care and protection and urban forest expansion; implementing, enforcing and proposing improvements to the City’s tree regulations; providing tree maintenance services including 24/7 response to tree emergencies on City properties and public streets; tree planting and expansion of urban forest services; measurement and assessment of urban forest coverage, health and services; offering community education and stewardship programs; and oversight and support of the City’s volunteer advisory tree board. Portland is a Tree City USA for 44 years, a Tree City of the World and the Urban Forestry program is accredited by the Society of Municipal Arborists.

City of Portland Core Values:
Anti-racism | Communication | Collaboration | Equity | Transparency | Fiscal Responsibility

These values guide our actions as we serve the community and engage our workforce. To learn more about the City's core values, please click here.

Why work at the City of Portland?
The City of Portland workforce serves a population of over 650,000. We are culture- and solutions-driven, viewing every challenge as an opportunity to learn, improve, and share our expertise. We are committed to removing systemic barriers to resources, access, and opportunity. The City is a believer in all people and continues to actively recruit and retain diverse top talent every day. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to medical, dental, vision, basic life, short- and long-term disability coverage to eligible employees and their families. If you are open-minded, motivated, community-focused, and self-aware, please apply yourself at the City of Portland today.

The City of Portland also participates in the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). For more information on the City of Portland's benefits please click here.

COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement
As of October 18, 2021, all City employees must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. This is required for all positions at the City of Portland. Proof of being fully vaccinated is required by date of hire. You may request an exception, for health or religious reasons, from getting the COVID-19 vaccine at the time a position is offered.

Work Location
Many positions within the City are designated as hybrid and currently the City requires you to work in-person one day per week. Beginning in April 2023, most hybrid employees will be expected to perform at least half of their work in-person.

To Qualify Applicants must specifically address and demonstrate in their supplemental question responses and resume how their education, training and/or experience, meets each of the following minimum qualifications:

A current ISA Certified Arborist certification at time of application. (Must be maintained during this process)

AND
An advanced level of tree biology knowledge and technical skills in inspecting and evaluating trees in an urban environment including the ability and experience in performing whole tree and tree root inspections and assessments to detect hazardous conditions of trees related to health, structure, insect, and disease.
Knowledge and experience applying arboricultural best practices and the principles of urban forest management and municipal tree regulation, including tree risk assessment, to independently assess urban trees and execute regulatory tree decisions.
Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing; present information and recommendations clearly and justifiably to non-technical persons; and the ability to exercise tact and diplomacy in working with colleagues, the public and stakeholders.
Experience interpreting site plans for development projects, reviewing arborist reports and the ability to use modern database systems to accurately input data, generate permits, and manage case workloads.
Applicant must also possess:
Must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 per City/State mandate or have an approved exception by date of hire.
A valid state driver license and an acceptable driving record at time of hire.
EHAP certification and public pesticide applicator license or pesticide consultant license within six-months of hire.
Some positions may require additional endorsements, certifications or license.
Submit a professional writing sample of one page or less. Sample can be previously written or newly created. This will be used in the selection process if minimum qualifications are met.
The Recruitment Process
The recruitment process will consist of the following phases (Applications received by January 22, 2023 at 11:59 PM, will participate in the next review/assessment):

Phase I: Supplemental Questionnaire

The online application process will include a pass / fail evaluation of the Yes/No supplemental questionnaire.
Applicants must pass the supplemental questionnaire to participate in the training and experience evaluation.
Phase II: Evaluation of Training and Experience
Qualifying applicants passing the supplemental questionnaire will participate in a pass/fail evaluation of their training and experience, as demonstrated in their responses to the supplemental questions and resume (See Application Instructions).
Applicants must pass the training and experience evaluation to be invited to participate in the Virtual Assessment Exercise.
Phase III: 100% Virtual Assessment Exercise
Applicants who successfully pass Phase I and II of the recruitment process will be scheduled for Phase III, virtual assessment exercises consist of a multiple-choice general knowledge exam, a tree assessment exercise and site plan exercise.
Invitations will be sent via email, applicants will not be required to attend in person, details will be in the email invitation you receive about how to take the virtual assessment exercise.
Phase III is tentatively scheduled periodically throughout January to July 2023
A photo ID will be required for admittance to the virtual assessment exercise.
Applicants who are disqualified based on the Virtual Assessment Exercise will not be able to reapply for the position for two (months).

Candidates successfully passing the supplemental questionnaire review, evaluation of training and experience, assessment exercise will be placed on an equally ranked eligible list. You have 14 days from the notice of the examination results to let us know if you disagree with your results. 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 to complete and/or final selection.

The selection process will happen periodically throughout this recruitment. If you are placed on the eligible list, you DO NOT need to reapply. Any applications received after you are placed on the eligible list will be considered as duplicate and not moved forward. You will be contacted by the bureau when being considered for the selection process.

Applicant Instructions
Applicants must submit a professional resume and responses to the supplemental questions online, specifically focused on your qualifications for this position as identified in the "To Qualify" section of this announcement in accordance with the following Application Instructions:

Your résumé and responses to the supplemental questions will be part of the basis for our evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Incomplete or inappropriate information may result in disqualification.
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 resume should support the details described in your responses to the supplemental questions.
Salary Range/Equity Pay Analysis: Please note per the Oregon State Pay Equity Law your salary is determined based on the experience and education listed in your resume/application. It is strongly encouraged to include any transferable experience (paid or unpaid regardless of how recent) to ensure your offer is reflective of all directly related and equivalent experience.
If you are requesting Veteran's Preference, as identified below, please describe in your responses to the supplemental questions and resume any transferrable skills obtained during your military service and how they relate to each of the required minimum qualifications under the "To Qualify" section above.

Please note, all completed applications for this position must be submitted no later than on the closing date and time of this recruitment. All applications must be submitted via the City's online application process. Do not attach materials not requested. E-mailed and/or faxed applications will not be accepted.
Additional Information

Work Status: Non-citizen applicants must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of application.
Veterans' Preference: If you are requesting Veterans' Preference, attach a copy of your DD214/DD215 and/or Veterans Administration letter stating your disability to your profile, as well as checking the box identifying yourself as a Veteran. You must request Veterans' Preference AND include a copy of your documentation for each recruitment to which you apply. Veterans' Preference documentation must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM on the closing date of this recruitment.

ADA, Pregnancy, and Religious Accommodations: If you identify as a person with a disability, are pregnant or nursing, or observe a religious practice(s), and would like to request a reasonable accommodation when applying for this job, please contact the Recruiter below for assistance.

Equal Employment Opportunity: It is the policy of the City of Portland that no person shall be discriminated against based on race, religion, color, sex, marital status, family status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or source of income. The City values diversity and encourages everyone who is interested in employment with the City to apply.

Language Pay Differential: City of Portland employees who speak one or more languages in addition to English, may be eligible to receive a “language pay differential.” This is compensation for qualifying multilingual City employees who use their language skills to assist the community. More about the language pay differential can be found here.

Did you know? The City of Portland offers How to Apply Classes that are free and reviews best practices for applying to the City. Follow the link for the most recent list of scheduled dates: https://www.portland.gov/bhr/events

Questions?/Contact Information
Anna Morgan, Senior Recruiter
Bureau of Human Resources
Anna.Morgan@portlandoregon.gov