The Position
Job Appointment: Full-Time
Work Schedule: 40 hours per week, schedules vary
Work Location: Reporting Locations Vary: Current vacancies at:
- SE Headquarters - 5669 SE 136th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97236.
- Mt Tabor Yard - 6437 SE Division Street, Portland, Oregon 97215
- Downtown Headquarters - 2448 SW Carter Ave, Portland Oregon 97210
Benefit: Please check our benefits tab for an overview of benefits for this position
Language Pay Premium Eligible: This position is or may be eligible for Language Pay Differential for qualifying employees.
Union Representation: LiUNA Laborers' Local 483. To view this labor agreement, please click here .
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.
Position Summary:
Do you enjoy working outdoors, maintaining plants, performing general landscape maintenance tasks, and working with diverse co-workers and park users? If so, you may be the Horticulturist we are looking for!
Horticulturists for Portland Parks and Recreation (PP&R) focus on plant management in landscaped settings, including plan review, plant selection, design, irrigation installation and maintenance, proper pruning techniques, and controlling weeds and pests.
What you'll get to do:
- Install and maintain landscapes including perennials, annuals, shrubs, trees, and turf.
- Perform irrigation installation, maintenance, and repair.
- Work constructively on a diverse team.
- Calculate and safely apply needed fertilizers and pesticides.
- Lead the work of team members and volunteers.
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 that can fluently speak another language to include that information in their application materials. Multilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.
Virtual Zoom Meet & Greet Opportunity
Come meet the hiring manager and the senior recruiter! We'll be talking about the position duties and responsibilities, day to day life in the role, review the announcement, discuss how to apply, and answer questions you may have about the position.
September 5, 2024
12:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88977405491
Meeting ID: 889 7740 5491
Have a question?
Contact Information:
TroyLynn Craft
Senior Recruiter
troylynn.craft@portlandoregon.gov
To Qualify
The following minimum qualifications are required for this position:
Experience in plant identification, proper pruning techniques, design, landscape plan review and installation, and care of plants in landscaped areas.
Experience with commercial irrigation systems including design, installation, maintenance, and programming controllers for maximum water efficiency.
Experience with the safe and proper use of pesticides, power equipment, and vehicles.
Ability to lead and direct a diverse workforce, ensuring the safety of team members and volunteers, and providing comprehensive training and guidance in their duties.
Ability to use basic computer skills, including data entry, managing and submitting time sheets electronically, and reading, tracking, and responding to emails.
Applicants must also have:
- A valid state driver's license (any state) and an acceptable driving record .
- The ability to obtain a Pesticide Applicator license within 6 months of hire. For materials and study guide, click here .
- The ability to work outdoors for extended periods under unfavorable weather conditions.
- Ability to pass a pre-hire physical capacity test.
- Ability to pass a pre-hire background check
The Recruitment Process
STEP 1: Apply online between A ugust 26 - September 9, 2024
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 Tip
- 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 résumé should support the details described in your responses to the supplemental questions.
- Do not attach any additional documents.
- 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.
- E-mailed and/or faxed applications will not be accepted.
Step 2: Minimum Qualification Evaluation Phase 1: Week of September 9. 2024
- An evaluation of each applicant's training and paid and unpaid experience, as demonstrated in their resume and supplemental questions.
- Your résumé and responses to the supplemental questions will be the basis for our pass/fail evaluation of your qualifications for participation in the next step. Incomplete or inappropriate information may result in disqualification.
- You have 14 days from the notice of the minimum qualification evaluation phase 1 results to let us know if you would like to review and discuss your evaluation result. Please read the City of Portland Administrative Rule 3.01 for complete information.
Step 3: Minimum Qualification Evaluation Phase 2: Work Skills Demonstration
- Applicants who successfully pass Minimum Qualification Evaluation Phase 1 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
- Pruning
An invitation will be sent via email. Out-of-town candidates will be required to travel to participate in phase II.Phase II is tentatively scheduled for the Week of October 7, 2024 A photo ID will be required for admittance to the test.You have 14 days from the notice of the minimum qualification evaluation phase 2 results to let us know if you would like to review and discuss your evaluation result. 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 and/or final selection.
Step 4: Establishment of Eligible List: Week of October 21, 2024
- Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on the equally ranked eligible list. (Update if a Ranked list or other type of list is used)
Step 5: Selection (Interview): Late October
- Hiring bureau will review and select candidates for an interview
- Please note, the selection process may take up to 90 days from the notification of being placed on the eligible list.
Step 6: Offer of Employment: November
- Some positions will require those offered employment to complete and sign a criminal background statement before being considered for employment. (Include if requires an in-depth background investigation.)
Step 7: Start Date:
- 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
An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer
A Career with the City of Portland offers many Employee Benefits
We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to
- Health Care (Medical, Vision and Dental)
- Carrot Fertility
- Wellness Benefits
- Life Insurance
- Long-term disability coverage to eligible employees and their families.
- Employee Assistance Plan
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Retirement
- Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), includingcontributions to the PERS IAP plan paid by employer
- Family Medical Leave
- City Paid Parental Leave
AND SO MANY MORE!
Benefits may vary depending on bargaining unit and employment status. Click here to review the many different benefits the City of Portland offers .
Closing Date/Time: 9/9/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
