Senior Engineering Technician - Urban Forestry

Senior Engineering Technician - Urban Forestry

Salary

$84,964.00 - $111,807.00 Annually

Location

Public Works, 4415 NE 30th Avenue, Hillsboro, OR 97123, OR

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

2027-05

Department

Public Works

Division

PUBLIC WORKS ENGINEERING

Opening Date

07/10/2026

Closing Date

8/2/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

The City of

Hillsboros Public Works department is searching for a Senior Engineering

Technician within our Urban Forestry division. This position plays a key role

in enhancing environmental quality, public health, and community well-being

through the sustainable management of trees on public lands, rights-of-way, and

city-owned properties. The Urban Forester Technician works collaboratively with

city departments, residents, and external partners to implement urban forestry

programs, enforce tree ordinances, and promote tree education and engagement.

You will be building a climate-resilient and equitable urban forest

that supports canopy health, climate resiliency, equity and community building. You will assist in the planning, implementation, and stewardship of

tree-related initiatives that mitigate climate impacts, reduce urban heat, and

expand canopy coverage-especially in historically underserved neighborhoods.

Under the direction of the assigned supervisor, the Senior Engineering Technician performs specialized technical activities in support of technical engineering operations. Responsibilities, as assigned, include providing customer service; gathering, compiling, and/or analyzing data for inventory studies and calculations; conducting and overseeing tree protection projects, technical tasks, and initiatives; inventory projects; maintaining data; performing field inspections and associated field work; and testing equipment for operability.

The Senior Engineering Technician - Urban Forestry position is under the general Senior Engineering Technician job classification. For full job class details, click here: Senior Engineering Technician

Responsibilities Include:

• Assist and support with urban forestry plans, policies, and best practices.
• Support, review and update tree inventories and assessments using GIS and tree management software.
• Support planting events, coordinate pruning, removal, and maintenance of public trees.
• Assist with Monitor tree health and respond to and plan management for pest, disease, and storm damage issues.
• Support with Community Engagement & Education
• Assist in public outreach initiatives, including Arbor Day events, tree giveaways, and workshops.
• Serve as a liaison to neighborhood groups, schools, and environmental/regional/community organizations.
• Provide technical guidance to residents on tree care and species selection.
• Provide guidance to municipal tree ordinances
• Review development plans for tree planting/preservation/care compliance.
• Coordinates with permitting team for tree work and conduct site inspections.
• Collaborate and support planning, engineering, transportation, stormwater, parks, city managers office and water departments on green infrastructure, climate action plan and canopy goals.
• Data & Reporting
• Maintain accurate records of tree work, permits, and urban forest master plan metrics.
• Prepare reports and presentations for various departments and the public.
• Track progress toward canopy cover, climate resilience, and biodiversity targets.

Current Upcoming Projects to Support in:

Climate

Resiliency & Canopy Growth

• Implement urban forestry strategies that align with the city's climate action and resilience plans.
• Prioritize tree planting and maintenance in heat-vulnerable and low-canopy neighborhoods.
• Integrate green infrastructure and nature-based solutions into urban forestry planning and solutions.

Equity-Centered

Community Engagement

• Build relationships with frontline communities to co-create tree planting and stewardship programs.
• Facilitate inclusive public outreach, multilingual education, and culturally responsive engagement.
• Partner with schools, nonprofits, and community leaders to promote environmental equity and tree canopy development.

Urban

Forest Management

• Conduct, review and update tree inventories and canopy assessment data using GIS and internal Inventory database
• Support oversight with planting, pruning, and maintenance of public trees with a focus on long-term sustainability.
• Provide guidance to Urban Forestry team to climate-related tree risks such as drought, pests, and extreme weather events.

Policy

& Planning

• Support the development and enforcement of tree ordinances that promote equitable canopy distribution.
• Review development and infrastructure projects for tree preservation and climate adaptation.
• Collaborate with planning, transportation, stormwater, parks and public works teams to integrate trees into resilient city design.

Preferred

Qualifications:

• Experience: 3+ years of experience in urban forestry, municipal tree care, or a related field.
• Experience: 2+ years of public facing/engagement role in any role that can demonstrate community engagement and excellent communication skills.
• Certifications: ISA Certified Arborist Credentials (or ability to obtain within 6 months & ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) preferred (or ability to obtain within 1 year).

Skills:

• Knowledge of tree biology, species identification, and urban tree care practices.
• Familiarity with GIS, tree inventory software (e.g., Tree Keeper, i-Tree), and Microsoft Office Products.
• Strong communication, public speaking, and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and occasionally lift up to 50 lbs.

Education and Experience:

Associate's degree in Urban

Forestry, Arboriculture, Environmental Science, Natural Resources, and at least three years related experience or in a closely

related field; field

inspection, surveying work, and/or data or computer analysis,

including lead worker responsibilities; or an equivalent combination of

education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential

duties of the job such as those listed above.

Recruitment Timeline:

Posting Opens: 7/10/2026

Posting Closes: 8/2/2026

First Round Interviews: End of August

Timeline is subject to change based on City and Departmental needs.

Application Instructions:

To

ensure your application receives full consideration, please complete all

sections of the online application thoroughly. Please note that Resumes

and Cover Letters will not be accepted and should not be submitted in place of

the completed application. Please see the guidelines below to successfully

submit your application:

• Include detailed information about your work experience, education, and relevant qualifications directly in the application. Taking the time to provide complete and accurate information helps the review panel fully understand your background and experience.
• Please answer all supplemental questions thoughtfully and thoroughly. Your responses provide valuable insight into your qualifications and experience. They will help the hiring manager better understand how your background aligns with the needs of the position.
• Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
• Only Veterans' Preference documents will be reviewed as attachments.

Why Work for

Hillsboro?

At the City of Hillsboro, we're

committed to supporting employees with a comprehensive package of benefits and

resources designed to promote health, well-being, and growth.

When you join our team, you'll enjoy:

• Competitive pay with City contributions to PERS retirement
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• paid time off for vacation, sick leave, holidays, and more
• Deferred compensation match and HRA VEBA contributions to boost your future savings
• City-paid life, AD&D, and long-term disability insurance
• Extra perks like bilingual pay incentives and wellness reimbursements
• Free TriMet annual Hop pass and SHARC recreation access for you and your family
• Paid time off to volunteer in the community through Hillsboro Helps
• Ongoing professional development and training opportunities
• A supportive workplace that values work/life balance and employee wellness

To learn more about our robust benefits package please click here.

Bilingual Incentive Pay

Preference may be given to candidates

who are bilingual in English and Spanish. Employees who demonstrate proficiency

in Spanish, or in any language spoken by more than ten percent (10%) of City

residents as identified by the most recent U.S. Census, may be eligible for a

bilingual pay premium. To qualify, employees must successfully pass a

City-administered fluency assessment. Eligible employees will receive a monthly

premium equal to three percent (3%) of their regular base pay.

Commitment To Diversity

Hiring a workforce that reflects the diverse

community we serve is essential to delivering exceptional City services and

programs. The City of Hillsboro is committed to creating and supporting an

inclusive and welcoming environment for all employees to thrive. We value,

respect, and empower employees as unique individuals with authentic voices and

diverse ideas.

City of Hillsboro is proud to offer robust benefit packages to employees. Please check out our Salary and Benefits page for benefit guides for our non-represented full-time employees and part-time employees. Benefits may vary for positions identified in Police, Fire, and Library collective bargaining agreements, which can also be found on the Salary and Benefits page.

01

To ensure your application receives full consideration, please complete all sections of the online application thoroughly. Resumes and Cover Letters are not accepted as supplemental attachments.

• Provide complete details about your work experience, education, and relevant qualifications directly in the application. Taking the time to fill out the application carefully gives the review panel the best understanding of your skills and experience.

• Incomplete applications will not be considered.

• Only Veterans Preference documents or Position Specific Certification documentation (if applicable) will be reviewed as attachments. Do you understand the requirements for your application?

• Yes

• No

02

If you could have the opportunity to design and lead a tree focused project from start to finish, what would it be? Please provide a brief description or outline of the project concept. In your answer, include: • Two goals of the project • Two impacts (one related to people/communities and one related to the environment) • The intended overall outcome of the project

03

Share an example of an important project you were working on that was unexpectedly derailed or delayed. • What caused the setback? • How did you address the obstacles and get the project back on track? • What was the final outcome?

04

You often need to communicate the same core message to different audiences, each with their own priorities and desired outcomes. For example: • Community members/customers (general information, expectation setting, and education) • Management/leadership (guidance, decisions, and funding) • Stakeholders/partners (resources, collaboration, and support) How would you tailor your message for each of these audience groups? Please describe your approach for each category and explain how you would adjust tone, level of detail, and call to action to meet their needs.

05

You are on your way to a reported emergency tree failure with no photos or description. On the way, you receive: • A second call from a panicked homeowner reporting a tree failing into the sidewalk and road, and • A text message 15 minutes later with images showing a different tree that has failed onto a public building. How would you prioritize these three emergencies? In your answer, please also explain how you would communicate your prioritization process so each caller understands what to expect and does not assume you will arrive within 20 minutes.

Required Question

Employer City of Hillsboro

Address 150 East Main St.

Hillsboro, Oregon, 97123

Phone 503-681-6455

Website http://www.Hillsboro-Oregon.gov