About the Work: Horticulturists safely move up to 100 pounds, most commonly only 50 pounds at a time, with help from crew member, co-worker or equipment, and drive equipment from site to site in traffic on City streets.  Competitive candidates will be highly skilled, have the ability to lead and have inclusive people skills which are important in daily operations. These positions work out-of-doors for extended periods during unfavorable weather conditions. 

Portland Parks and Recreation is seeking applications to fill multiple Horticulturist positions currently. The eligible list established will also be used to fill future vacancies.

This position is represented by Portland City Laborers (PCL-LL483) collective bargaining agreement, view the agreement at https://www.portland.gov/bhr/employee-relations/labor-relations/labor-agreements and click on the appropriate contract.

PP&R encourages applicants to apply who are from a group underrepresented in public land management (Black, Indigenous, people of color, Latinx, people living with disabilities, women, LGBTQ+).

As a person, you are:

• Inclusive: Someone who values and respects diversity and has a desire or experience working with and serving people from a variety of backgrounds.

• Collaborative: An outgoing professional who values partnership and develops and supports relationships to get things done.

• Solutions Oriented: Uses strong communication skills to work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders to create, implement, and document solutions.

• Emotionally Intelligent: Motivated, passionate, team-oriented, and empathetic.

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.

• Applicants must pass the general knowledge multiple-choice test to participate in the Work Skills Demonstration.

• The general knowledge multiple-choice test is tentatively scheduled for the week of May 17, 2021.

• A photo ID and your NEOGOV number (noted on your email invitation) will be required for admittance to the general knowledge multiple-choice test.

• All Health and Safety protocols must be followed.

• Applicants who successfully pass Phase I and Phase II of the recruitment process will be scheduled to participate in the work skills demonstration, weighted 100%. The work skills demonstration test will cover the following: Irrigation, Equipment, Plant Identification, and Pruning.
  • Invitation will be sent via email. Out-of-town candidates will be required to travel to participate in phase III.
  • Phase III is tentatively scheduled for the week of June 7, 2021.
  • A photo ID and your NEOGOV number (noted on your email invitation) will be required for admittance to the test.
  • All Health and Safety protocols must be followed.

Candidates successfully passing the Yes/No supplemental questionnaire review, general knowledge multiple-choice test and the work skills demonstration 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.  After a conditional offer of employment, candidates may be required to undergo Physical Capacities test.

All completed applications for this position must be submitted no later than the closing date and time of this recruitment.  E-mailed and/or faxed applications will not be accepted.

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 the closing date and time 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.

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: https://www.portland.gov/bhr/events