Job Detail

Senior Tree Inspector

Location: Portland, OR
Salary: $43.95

Job Appointment: Full Time

Typical Schedule: Monday - Friday 7 am - 3:30 pm

Work Location:  Hybrid - 1900 SW 4th Avenue, Portland, OR 97201. Remote work must be performed within Oregon or Washington. For more information, click here. The current schedule for this position is hybrid. Employees are expected work on site 50% of the time. The City is reevaluating a return-to-office (RTO) policy which could change in-person requirements with notice. The hiring manager for this position will have more up to date information at the time of all verbal/contingent offers.
Benefit: Please check our benefits tab for an overview of benefits for this position.

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:
Senior Tree Inspectors plays a key role in the implementation of the City’s Tree Code, combining advanced technical expertise in tree assessment with leadership responsibilities. In this role, you will lead, train and guide a team of Tree Inspectors in field-based assessments and compliance checks across Portland. You’ll be responsible for ensuring trees are preserved, maintained, and managed according to code through on-site evaluations, risk assessments, and comprehensive permit review processes. Within Portland Parks and Recreation (PP&R) this position requires collaboration with the Permitting & Regulation Supervisors and operates under the guidance of the Permitting & Regulation Manager and City Forester. Within Portland Permitting and Development (PP&D) this position requires collaboration with other City infrastructure bureau supervisors, PP&R Urban Forestry, and operates and under the guidance of the Public Works Permitting Review manager. As a Senior Tree Inspector, you’ll have a direct impact on maintaining and enhancing Portland’s urban canopy. Your expertise and leadership will contribute to a greener, healthier city while supporting the sustainability goals that make Portland a vibrant place to live.

Senior Tree inspector positions exist in the following bureaus:

• Portland Permitting & Development (PP&D)
• Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R)

The eligible list from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future vacancies in the Portland Permitting & Development and Portland Parks & Recreation Urban Forestry.

 

What you'll get to do:

• Lead and Train the Tree Inspector Team – Provide direction, training, and quality control for Tree Inspectors and new employees, ensuring work is accurate, timely, and aligned with program goals. Identify training needs and recommend improvements.
• Conduct Reviews and Inspections – Perform case reviews for permits, interpret site plans for compliance, and conduct field assessments related to tree preservation, removal, pruning, and planting. Issue permits and provide technical expertise through written analyses.
• Foster Collaboration and Positive Work Culture – Build relationships within the City, partner with leadership and infrastructure bureaus, and create a work environment that values safety, equity, quality, and productivity.
• Support Appeals and Reporting – Lead the team in preparing for and presenting appeals, develop and deliver presentations, and monitor and report on work group responsibilities through quantitative and qualitative analysis.
• Advance Equity and Inclusion – Commit to racial justice, diversity, and dismantling institutional racism within the Bureau and City. Promote equitable practices in tree regulation and public engagement.

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 billion and comprised of over 1.2 million park trees, 240,000 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 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 Bureaus:
Portland Permitting & Development (PP&D) manages building permits, land use, inspections, code enforcement, and public works permits to ensure our built environment is safe and accessible.  Our mission is to promote safety, livability and economic vitality through efficient and collaborative application of building and development codes.  Portland Permitting & Development is committed to the elimination of racism and discriminatory practices in our services and in our workplace because we understand the positive value of equitable systems.  Equity: Conditions that allow everyone to flourish so that race, gender, ability and/or other held identities do not determine access or outcomes. To learn more about the Portland Permitting and Development equity commitment, please visit our website: https://www.portland.gov/ppd/about-portland-permitting-development.

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.

 

February 24, 2025
12:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86189245988

Meeting ID: 861 8924 5988

*Please note: AI Notetaking apps will not be allowed into virtual sessions hosted by the Bureau of Human Resources Recruitment Team. If you need accommodations as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, then please contact the Recruiter or Program Lead for assistance.

Have a question?
Contact Information:
 TroyLynn Craft
 Senior Recruiter
 troylynn.craft@portlandoregon.gov

 

To Qualify

The following minimum qualifications are required for this position:
 

1. Experience applying urban forestry best management practices, implementing environmental regulations and codes, and facilitating process and program improvements.
2. Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing with varying levels of leadership, subordinates, members of the public, and internal partners.
3. Ability to present and explain arboricultural information and recommendations clearly and justifiably in challenging regulatory tree situations and decisions.
4. Ability to effectively lead, train and mentor staff, including assigning and reviewing work.
5. Experience with database and technology platforms and the ability to use them to prepare and analyze reports. 

Applicants must also possess:

• A valid state driver's license and an acceptable driving record
• International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist Credential by date of hire.  For more information about this certification click here.
• Electrical Hazard Awareness Program (EHAP) certification by date of hire. For more information about this certification click here.
• Public pesticide applicator license or pesticide consultant license by date of hire. For more information about this certification click here.
• ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) by date of hire. For more information about this certification click here.

 

The Recruitment Process

STEP 1: Apply online between February 17 - March 10, 2025

Apply here: Senior Tree Inspector (Tree Inspector, Senior) | Job Details tab | Career Pages

•  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 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.
• How We Determine Pay: 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.
• Please note, all completed applications for this position must be submitted no later than on 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 10, 2025

• An evaluation of each applicant's training and paid and unpaid experience, as demonstrated in their resume and supplemental questions, 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 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 3: Establishment of Eligible List: Week of March 17, 2025

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

Step 4: Selection (Interview): April

• Hiring bureau will review and select candidates for an interview.

Step 5: Offer of Employment

Step 6: 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  

 

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