Inspire the next generation of conservation leaders through environmental career exposure, job skills, interpersonal skills, and community building. As a Youth Conservation Crew Leader, you will mentor and supervise 5 youth ages 14-19 from diverse backgrounds as they complete important work in our natural areas, build job and life skills, and earn a paycheck. See our website for more information: Portland Parks YCC.

*Please see the Additional Information section below for details about each crew & their duties.

Work Schedule:

Dates: June 14 – August 18 (begin early and extending the position longer if schedule allows)

Hours: Monday (9am – 2pm); Tuesday – Friday (7:15am – 3:15pm)

Compensation:

Hourly rate is $17-$19 an hour, depending on experience and training.

Crew leaders also take part in professional development, networking, and growth opportunities. For many crew leaders, YCC is an entry into Portland Parks & Recreation. We invest in our crew leaders!

Portland Parks & Recreation values a diverse workforce and seeks to promote equity and inclusion. Environmental Education programs serve children and youth from a broad range of backgrounds. Although not required, we encourage applicants that can fluently speak another language to include that information in the supplemental questions.

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. If you are open-minded, motivated, community-focused, and self-aware, please apply yourself at the City of Portland today.

1. Experience working with diverse population
2. Experience mentoring, supporting, or leading teenagers
3. Ability to identify safety hazards and ensuring safety of crew members while following COVID-19 safety protocol
4. A valid state driver’s license and an acceptable driving & experience record due 30 days after hire date

• Have skills in one or more of the following areas: trail building & maintenance, environmental education, habitat restoration, tree care, or gardening (see website Portland Parks YCC for more details)
• Knowledgeable about the plants and animals in Portland. Experience with Traditional Ecological Knowledge is valued

 Applicants must submit the following to be considered:
 1. Resume
2. Answers to Supplemental Questions
3. List of 3 References

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 Accommodations: If you identify as a person with a disability 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.

Did you know? The City of Portland offers How to Apply Classes that are free and review best practices for applying to the City.  Follow the link for the most recent list of scheduled dates: www.bit.ly/howtoapplyclass

Contact Information
Halima Abdirizak, Recruiter
Bureau of Human Resources
halima.abdirizak@portlandoregon.gov
(503) 823-6959

Crew-Related Technical Skills We are hiring 6 crew leaders. In addition to having teaching, leading and mentorship skills, preferred candidates also have crew-related technical skills.

CITY NATURE EAST CREW LEADERS – Crews enhance the native ecology of Portland Parks & Recreation’s natural areas by removing introduced plants, including ivy, blackberry, and other species. Crews also take care of young native plants, conduct community science, collect data, and build split-rail fences. Crew leaders are responsible for teaching job skills, ecology, restoration techniques, and for building appreciation for our natural areas.

TRAIL CREW LEADER – The Trail Crew maintains trails in Portland Parks & Recreation natural areas. Using standard industry techniques for sustainable trail maintenance, the crew focuses on reducing sediment entering Portland’s rivers, streams, and water bodies by reducing erosion, improving grading and drainage, improving stream crossings, and closing unofficial trails. Trail crew leaders guide the work of teens as they build trails, crib walls, rock walls, and other structures, teaching technical skills and ecology.

TREE CREW LEADER – The Tree Crew works in Portland parks, in rights-of-way, and on public school properties around Portland. The Tree Crew learns proper tree pruning techniques with a variety of tools. They weed, mulch, and water young trees to maintain the health of Portland’s urban canopy. In addition, the Tree Crew may perform tree inventory data collection, learn about mapping and GIS, visit Heritage Trees, and harvest fruit from Urban Forestry’s test orchard in a community work party. The crew leader should know proper pruning techniques, tree identification, and basic arboriculture which they will demonstrate to the crew on a daily basis. The crew leader will support crew members as they learn how to safely perform tree-related tasks and will also teach the importance of a thriving urban forest.

COMMUNITY GARDENS CREW LEADER – The Community Gardens Crew will help build and repair community gardens around town. The crew will interact with gardeners from around the world and explore issues related to gardening and food justice. The crew will spend several weeks working in the Native Gathering Garden, which focuses on indigenous land practices. The crew leader should be passionate about gardening and food justice.