Tree Inspector

Tree Inspector

Salary

$40.91 - $52.21 Hourly

Location

Multiple Locations, OR

Job Type

Regular

Remote Employment

Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number

2026-00930

Bureau

Portland Permitting & Development

Opening Date

11/02/2026

Closing Date

11/16/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

The Position

Job Appointment: This recruitment could be used to fill regular, limited duration, or temporary appointments.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00am-3:30pm. Work hours will vary to meet business needs.

Work Location: Hybrid employees are expected work on site 50% of the time. Remote work must be performed within Oregon or Washington.

Union Representation: Portland City Laborers (PCL). To view current labor agreements, click here.

Starting Pay: The City of Portland follows 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.

Position Summary:

The City of Portland is seeking skilled and dedicated Tree Inspector(s). This advanced professional role involves the systematic inspection of public trees to evaluate tree health, structural integrity, and public safety risks. Tree Inspectors may perform on-site tree condition and risk assessments; create work orders for tree pruning, removal, and inoculations; and manage contractors working under City contracts. The role also includes collaboration with inter-agency bureaus, public utilities, government agencies, developers, property owners, contractors, and attorneys on program development and regulatory compliance.

This position requires extensive public communication and interaction, including the ability to understand and respect diverse perspectives, assess varying viewpoints, and exercise diplomacy. While Tree Inspectors often work independently in the field, they are also part of a collaborative team environment.

Tree inspector positions are located 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.

What You'll Do for PP&D:

• Perform timely reviews of permit applications and plans, on-site tree inventories, field assessments, and inspections for tree preservation, removal, pruning, chemical application, planting, root cutting and other tree-related activities. Issue permits with well-documented recommendations, supporting projects citywide.
• Provide technical expertise through clear and detailed written responses, analyzing arborist reports, technical documents, and permit applications for compliance.
• Respond to inquiries from residents, developers, and internal stakeholders to provide education, assistance, and information on tree regulations and tree care.
• Maintain accurate records of tree conditions, inspections, and actions taken. Utilize the City permit database to enter data, monitor cases, and track development reviews.
• Investigate and gather evidence for Tree Code violations, recommend appropriate next steps, and ensure compliance with applicable policies and regulations.
• Collaborate with Tree Permitting Supervisors, the Division Manager, other PP&D leadership and staff, the City Forester and PP&R Urban Forestry staff, other City infrastructure bureaus, and public agencies to implement and uphold the Citys Tree Code (Title 11).
• Participate in fostering a positive and equitable work culture that values safety, diversity, inclusion, and productivity.

What You'll Do for PP&R:

• Perform timely evaluations, field assessments, and inspections for tree preservation, removal, pruning, chemical application, planting, and root pruning.
• Provide technical program and arboricultural expertise through clear and detailed written responses to diverse stakeholders.
• Respond to inquiries from residents, property owners, and internal stakeholders to provide education, assistance, and information on tree regulations and Street Tree Maintenance program delivery.
• Maintain accurate records of tree conditions, inspections, and actions taken. Learn and utilize the City tree management software to develop work orders and monitor contractor performance.
• Maintain positive, professional working relationships with City contractors to conduct arboricultural operations on trees in the public rights-of-way; hold contractors to account for good performance. Respectfully and firmly communicate needed corrections to contractors to achieve program results.
• Collaborate with TMO Supervisors, the Street Tree Maintenance Program Supervisor, the City Forester, other City infrastructure bureaus, and public agencies to develop and implement the City's new Street Tree Maintenance program.
• Participate in fostering a positive and equitable work culture that values safety, diversity, inclusion, and productivity.

Working Conditions:

Work in this class is performed in a field and office environment. Incumbent is required to negotiate rough and steep terrain; to lift up to 25 pounds; to work outdoors at times in inclement weather; to work in and around traffic; to be exposed to hazardous materials; to work under hazardous conditions; to drive a car for extended periods of time; to be exposed to a variety of potentially hostile, emotional or hazardous contacts with the public via phone, written correspondence and face to face interactions.

Virtual Meet & Greet Opportunity

Come meet the hiring manager and the senior recruiter! Well 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.

Monday, November 16, 2026

12:00 PM Pacific Time

Microsoft Teams: Register Here

To Qualify

Applicants must demonstrate how their education, training, and experience meet each of the minimum qualifications listed below:

• Experience inspecting and evaluating trees in an urban environment, including extensive experience performing whole tree and tree root inspections to detect hazardous conditions related to health, structure, insects, and disease.
• Experience interpreting work plans, reviewing professional reports, and utilizing modern database systems to accurately input and analyze data to manage workloads.
• Experience applying arboricultural best practices and principles of urban forest management and municipal tree care, including tree risk assessment, to independently evaluate urban trees and execute tree care decisions.
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse external and internal audiences, both verbally and in writing; ability to present information and recommendations clearly to non-technical individuals.

Applicant must also possess:

• A valid state driver's license and an acceptable driving record at the time of hire.
• Ability to obtain an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist credential within nine months of hire.
• Ability to obtain an Electrical Hazard Awareness Program (EHAP) certification within nine months of hire.
• Ability to obtain a Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) public pesticide applicator license or pesticide consultant license within nine months of hire.
• Additional certifications and/or qualifications may be required by the hiring agency to be completed by the end of the probationary period.

Preferred Qualifications:

• International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ)

The Recruitment Process

How to Apply:

• Submit your resume and cover letter by the closing date.
• (Optional) Submit Veterans' Preference documents, if applicable.

If this is your first time applying with the City of Portland, or if you haven't requested veteran preference before (and would like to now), please attach your DD214-Member 4 and/or VA Benefit Letter to your application. Once we verify your eligibility, we'll record your veteran preference in our system, so it automatically applies to your future applications.

• Click here for application tips for resume, supplemental question response and/or cover letter.

What to Expect:

• Application Review - (Week of November 16): Well review your application materials to ensure you meet the minimum qualifications listed above.
• Notice/Feedback - (Week of November 30): You will receive an email when the minimum qualification review is complete. If you disagree with your evaluation results, you may request a review within 14 days of the email notice, per City Administrative Rule 3.01.
• Survey of Interest - As Needed: As vacancies become available, you will be contacted by HR (via email) with position details, and you can confirm interest in a particular opportunity.
• Selection Process - (December): The hiring bureau will review interested and qualified applications, conduct interviews, and check references.
• Conditional Job Offer - (December/January): Final candidates may undergo a background and driving record check.

Additional Information

Learn More About:

• How to Apply Videos and Workshops
• City of Portland Core Values
• HRAR-3.01 - Recruitment Processes
• Veteran Preference Information
• Total Compensation and Benefits
• Language Pay Differential Eligibility

We're committed to providing a fair, inclusive, and accessible hiring process. If you need assistance with your application or would like to request a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, pregnancy, or religious belief, please contact the recruiter listed below.

Questions? Were here to help!

If you have questions about this recruitment or need assistance, contact:

Tamela Ressler, Senior Recruiter

Tamela.Ressler@portlandoregon.gov

Bureau of Human Resources

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
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Retirement
• Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), including contributions 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.

01

Thank you for your interest in the City of Portland. We value your time and hope to make your application experience as positive as possible.

Your Cover Letter and Resume are an important step to assist us in the review for minimum qualifications for the posted vacancy.

In your Cover Letter, write specific and unique responses to address each of the minimum qualification listed in the "To Qualify" section. The information you provide must correctly reflect your work history/resume. A lack of information in your application materials to each of the minimum qualifications may result in elimination from the recruitment.

Note: Request for veterans preference, please add a copy of your DD214 and/or Veterans Benefit letter. All documents must be uploaded by the closing date and time of this announcement.

Have you read and understood all the information listed above?

• No - If you have questions, please contact the recruiter on the announcement.
• Yes

02

Where did you first learn about this job opportunity? (If on a website or job board, please specify which one)

03

The City of Portland sometimes gets requests for public records. Please choose the response that best fits your preference:

(Your choice will not affect your application process.)

• I want my application to stay private. I understand that the City of Portland will keep my information confidential unless required to share it by law.
• I allow my application to be shared. I understand that by choosing this option, my information is no longer private.

04

Do you have a valid state drivers license and an acceptable driving record?

• Yes
• No

05

Do you have the ability to obtain and maintain an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist credential within nine months of hire?

• Yes
• I already possess an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist credential
• No

06

Do you have the ability to obtain and maintain Electrical Hazard Awareness Program (EHAP) certification within nine months of hire?

• Yes
• I already possess an Electrical Hazard Awareness Program (EHAP) certification
• No

07

Do you have the ability to obtain and maintain a public pesticide applicator license or pesticide consultant license within nine months of hire?

• Yes
• I already possess a public pesticide applicator license or pesticide consultant license
• No

08

Preferred Qualification Do you have an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) credential?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Portland

Address 1120 SW 5th Ave, Room 987

Portland, Oregon, 97204

Website http://www.portland.gov/jobs