Urban Forestry Outreach Assistant (Community Service Aide II)

Full Job Description

Do you want to speak for the trees and help make Portland a healthier, greener city? Urban Forestry is hiring an Outreach Assistant to help spread the word about Portland’s free tree planting programs.

We are particularly interested in connecting with underserved communities in areas of Portland with the fewest trees.

This job requires creativity, a passion for community engagement, and an interest in trees!

Job Appointment: Casual, 36-40 hours per week through December 12, 2026.

Work Schedule: Tuesday through Saturday, with some evening and weekend hours

• Weekday hours are 7 am-3:30 pm
• Most of our weekend events fall on a Saturday; timing is event-specific
• Occasional Sunday or weekday evening events

Work Location: East Delta Park, 10910 N Denver Ave. Portland, OR 97217

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

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 Position:

Portland Parks & Recreation Urban Forestry is hiring for the seasonal position of Urban Forestry Outreach Assistant (Community Service Aide II).

Join a team dedicated to raising awareness around the importance of urban trees for public and environmental health, and be part of an effort to bring trees to areas of Portland where trees are needed most.

In this role, you will promote and help people to register for Urban Forestry’s FREE tree planting programs.

The job involves helping to develop communication materials (including print, digital, and social media content), posting and monitoring social media accounts, engaging with the public through tabling or canvassing at indoor and outdoor events (spring, summer, and fall), distributing promotional materials (flyers, doorhangers, yard signs, posters), supporting the work of community partners and volunteers, and assisting with educational events and workshops.

While knowledge of trees may be helpful, we are looking for candidates who are passionate about trees, environmental justice, and community engagement.

As an Urban Forestry Outreach Assistant, you will:

• Helpto increase community awareness and participation in Urban Forestry programs:
  • Table at community events, street fairs, festivals
  • Canvass and conduct direct outreach to community organizations and residences
  • Develop content for digital and print media (text and graphics)
  • Post content to social media platforms, responding to questions and comments (Facebook, X, Instagram, Next Door)
  • Update program content on city web pages
• Support volunteers and community partners in outreach activities, such as tabling, canvassing, developing and distributing content
• Assist with fun community events such as tree walks, tree care workshops, public presentations, community tree plantings, Arbor Day celebration, Yard Tree Giveaways, and other volunteer-centered activities
• Track and report on outreach and engagement efforts
• Speak passionately about the importance of urban trees for public and environmental health
• Learn about urban forestry, urban forest management, tree planting and tree care

We are looking for team members who are:

• Creative – you will develop flyers, social media posts, graphic and written content
• Collaborative – you enjoy working with a team, volunteers, and community partners
• Equity Minded – you are inclusive and able to connect with diverse audiences
• Good communicators – you listen actively, respond empathetically, and can tailor your communications to the audience

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 $9.2 billion and comprised of over 1.2 million park trees, 333,000 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.

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 has been a Tree City USA for 48 years, a Tree City of the World, and the Urban Forestry program is accredited by the Urban and Community Forestry Society (formerly the Society of Municipal Arborists).

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.

Have a question?
Contact Information:
Amanda Hillebrecht
Senior Recruiter
Amanda.Hillebrecht@portlandoregon.gov

Requirements

The following minimum qualifications are required for this position:

1. Experience performing administrative or outreach support duties such as scheduling, data entry, preparing materials, or assisting with events.
2. Ability to engage effectively with the public through community events, canvassing, tabling, or other in-person outreach activities in indoor and outdoor settings.
3. Knowledge of basic communication and marketing practices, including creating or posting digital, print, or social media content.
4. Ability to organize, track, and maintain records, files, and data related to outreach, engagement, or program activities.
5. Experience supporting collaborative projects with volunteers, community partners, or staff, including assisting with educational workshops, events, or field-based activities.

Applicant must also:

• Be at least 18 years of age by April 1, 2026
• Have the ability to regularly work outdoors in all weather conditions, particularly heat
• Have the ability to move around on uneven terrain
• Have the ability to lift and carry items up to 30 lbs.
• Undergo a criminal history background check. Having a criminal history does not disqualify someone from employment, depending on the date and type of crime. See City guidelines on background checks.

Although not required, you may have one or more of the following:

• Experience creating visually engaging print or digital outreach materials using tools such as Adobe Creative Suite or Canva.
• Ability to communicate effectively with people from diverse cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds in community settings.
• Knowledge of social media best practices, including developing content and monitoring engagement across multiple platforms.
• Experience managing multiple tasks with strong organization and attention to detail.
• Ability to travel to community events, which may require a valid driver’s license.

Qualifications

STEP 1: Apply online between February 23, 2026 – March 2, 2026

• 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 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 March 2, 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 March 9, 2026

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

Step 4: Selection (Interview): Late March 2026

• The hiring bureau will review and select candidates for an interview.

Step 5: Offer of Employment: April 2026

Step 6: Start Date: April 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 Values
• Recruitment Process - Work Status
• Equal Employment Opportunity
• Veteran Preference
• ADA, Pregnancy, and Religious Accommodations