Planting Program Supervisor I (Exempt)

The Position

We are seeking a forward-thinking supervisor to lead and enhance our tree planting, establishment, and young tree pruning programs. We aim to increase the number of urban trees planted and established up to 10,000 trees annually, prioritizing large, native, and evergreen species. Significant investments have been made to promote tree canopy equity throughout Portland, including the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund. This supervisor role will be vital to the successful development and implementation of this transformative initiative. As a supervisor, you will guide and mentor your team to expand tree canopy coverage and mitigate heat in communities that need it most, particularly in low-income and low-canopy areas of Portland.

Our Tree Planting and Establishment Program, part of the Urban Forestry division of Portland Parks & Recreation, is responsible for planting and establishing thousands of trees each year in residential yards, parks, and along city streets. Our programs encompass various property types, including private residences and public rights-of-way. Key initiatives include the Free Street Tree Program, Park Tree Planting Program, Yard Tree Giveaway Program, Learning Landscapes Program, Private Property Tree Program, young tree pruning, and collaborative efforts with other City of Portland bureaus.

This supervisor position leads the team managing our Free Street Tree Program, Park Tree Planting Program, young tree pruning program, and our partnership with Friends of Trees. As the supervisor, your team manages the planting, establishment, and pruning of thousands of young trees annually in the public right-of-way, City-owned properties, and private properties. You will supervise nine full-time tree planting specialists to plan, implement, and evaluate programs. You will hire, train, coach, and supervise your team to be proactive problem solvers and to implement the best practices of equity, public service, urban forestry, project management, GIS/database management, and contract management. You will coach and provide constructive feedback to enhance employee performance and support career development. You will also serve as a strategic thinker who leads your team through program development, expansion, and refinement. Collaboration is essential to this role; you will work closely with two other supervisors within the Tree Planting and Establishment Program to develop multi-year planting plans, manage contracts, ensure quality standards for all plantings, facilitate communication, and conduct outreach efforts. You will set the example for your team on how to navigate the complexities of urban forestry projects while serving the public at the highest level possible. You will work closely with a diverse and collaborative team, driving our mission to equitably expand Portland's urban forest.

What you'll get to do:

• Champion equity and environmental justice
• Lead and develop your team
• Manage tree planting and establishment
• Guide site surveys and field operations
• Oversee technical and contract operations
• Lead project management
• Ensure quality and best practices
• Establish clear procedures
• Engage communities and partners
• Cultivate knowledge and skills

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 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 49 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, abilities, and socio-economic backgrounds. Although not required, PP&R encourages candidates who can fluently speak another language to include that information in their application materials. Multilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

To Qualify

The following minimum qualifications are required for this position:

1. Experience managing right-of-way and private property tree planting and young tree care, including tree procurement, establishment, pruning, contractor management, industry best practices, quality control, and monitoring.
2. Experience supervising and/or leading an urban forestry team, such as hiring, training, motivating, assigning work, and managing performance.
3. Experience developing and implementing new programs, including creating project scopes, developing work plans, tracking progress, and evaluating outcomes.
4. Experience working to improve equitable outcomes.

Applicant must also possess:

• A valid state driver's license and acceptable driving record.
• ISA Certified Arborist certification within the first 9 months of employment

The Recruitment Process

Step 1: Apply online between June 15, 2026, and July 6, 2026

Required Application Materials:

• Rsum
• Answers to the Supplemental Questions (click on the Questions tab to preview the questions)

Optional Application Materials:

• Veteran's Preference documents (e.g., DD214-Member 4, VA Benefit Letter) must be submitted by the closing date

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 resume should support the details described in your responses to the supplemental questions.
• 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.
• 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 July 6, 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 resume 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