Variable Hour Arborist Assistant

Variable Hour Arborist Assistant

Salary

$29.98 Hourly

Location

Blue Lake Regional Park, OR

Job Type

Variable Hour

Job Number

2026-4445-PNVHE

Department

Parks & Nature

Division

Parks & Visitor Services

Opening Date

08/03/2026

Closing Date

8/17/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position Summary

This recruitment will be used to fill one (1) to two (2) variable hour positions, which are limited to 1040 hours of work in the fiscal year.

Schedule: The individual(s) selected for this role will work 40 hours per week.

Work week: Monday through Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Location: Blue Lake Regional Park, but you will be performing work across the region at our various parks and cemeteries

Hello, we're Metro! Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow.

The Parks and Nature department is looking for a variable hour Arborist Assistant to work closely with our Metro certified Arborist to execute tree care plans and maintenance tasks, primarily focusing on pruning and trimming to enhance tree health, appearance, and safety. Additionally, the Arborist Assistant will help with hazard tree removals, plantings, and ensuring newly planted trees survive.

As the VHE Arborist Assistant you will

• Receive comprehensive training and supervision for safe and efficient work completion.
• Assist park staff and Arborist with storm cleanup and hazard mitigation in parks and cemeteries.
• Perform monitoring activities, trails closures and other safety-related activities to ensure the work sites are safe and clear of the public and staff.
• Prune and trim trees using precision hand tools and power equipment.
• Tend to newly planted trees ensuring proper watering during the heat of the summer.
• Assist in the removal of dead, diseased, or hazardous trees, employing chainsaw skills and rigging techniques.
• Operate and maintain various tools and equipment essential for tree care and landscaping including chainsaws, pruners, dump trucks, and woodchippers.
• Clean up debris and waste generated during tree care activities.
• Ensure the work site is left clean and safe for park guests.
• Adhere to safety protocols and procedures, including the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE)

Attributes for success

• Skilled in various pruning techniques and tree care operations.
• Excellent communication skills for effective collaboration with team members.
• Strong customer service skills to assist and address questions from park guests.
• Demonstrated adaptability to work efficiently in varying weather conditions and terrain.
• Emphasis on safety as a top priority, ensuring the well-being of team members and the public.
• Ability to perform the essential functions and responsibilities including heavy manual labor for extended periods, often under inclement weather conditions, and lifting up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to safely operate vehicles and equipment.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

At Metro, we strive to cultivate diversity, advance equity, and practice inclusion in all of its work. This means attracting and empowering a workforce that is inclusive of a broad range of human qualities. Workplace diversity is both a moral imperative and a business strength, essential to providing quality support and services to our region. Metro's goal is to hire, develop and retain highly skilled and talented individuals across all departments and programs who best reflect the diversity of our community.

Learn more about how Metro is advancing diversity

TO QUALIFY

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant.

Minimum qualifications

• High School or GED, AND
• One year of experience in Experience in the tree industry using Arborist related equipment such as chainsaws, chippers, dump trucks and other relevant equipment; OR
• Any combination of education, professional, volunteer and lived experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the classification duties and responsibilities.

Required qualifications

Upon hire:

• Possession of a valid driver's license

Within 6 months of hire:

• First Aid/CPR Certification, and such other certifications and licenses as may be required
• Possess all certifications necessary for safe operation of equipment

Working Conditions

If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply

If you were terminated for cause during any employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, you may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.

Like to have qualifications

You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider them when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position.

• Experience working on an arborist crew
• Any ISA certifications or TRAQ (Tree risk assessment qualification)
• Experience in the safe operation of heavy equipment such as tractors, large dump trucks, loading and hauling trailers, chippers etc.
• Experience in the safe operation of chainsaws
• Experience and understanding of the safety related aspects of arboriculture related work
• Pacific Northwest tree identification skills
• Experience working in parks or other public areas and an understanding of the dynamics of working in a public space where safety is the top priority

SCREENING AND EVALUATION

The application packet: The application packet consists of the following required documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment.

• A completed online application
• Responses to supplemental questions

The selection process: We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows. The selection process is subject to change.

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
• Consideration of top candidates/interviews
• Reference check
• Background, driving records check for finalist candidate

COMPENSATION AND REPRESENTATON

The full-hour wage for this position is $29.98.

This position is eligible for overtime and is represented by LiUNA 483. It is classified as a Maintenance Worker I.

Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions. View the classification description.

Questions?

Recruiter: Christina Rentas

Email: christina.rentas@oregonmetro.gov

Additional Information

Equal employment opportunity

All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made, or any other status protected by law.

Accommodation

Metro will gladly provide a reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.

Veterans preference

Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans preference when applying for Metro positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

Hybrid Telework

Positions designated as "hybrid telework," meaning you will have the option to work away from the office, although there may be times that coming into the office will be required. The designation of Hybrid Telework may be subject to change at a future time. All employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; Metro cannot support ongoing telework from other locations.

Pay equity at Metro

No matter who you are or where you work at Metro, you deserve to be paid fairly for the work you do. Every worker must get equal pay for equal work regardless of your gender, race, age, or other protected characteristics. Metro has established processes and conducts routine pay equity reviews as part of the hiring process to ensure compliance with the 2017 Oregon Pay Equity Act.

Online applications

Metro accepts job applications online. If you need assistance or accommodation with your application, or access to a computer, please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.

How to Apply

For tips on how to apply and more information on what the application process looks like, visit Metro's "How to apply" page.

Government Jobs

For assistance with your account or to reset your password please visit GovernmentJobs "Help and Support" page.

Metro

Led by an elected council, this unique government gives all residents of greater Portland a voice in shaping the future and provides parks, venues, services, and tools at a regional scale. We find solutions for our area's garbage and recycling that protect clean air and water; help plan land use and development to provide jobs and safe transportation; manage local venues that provide a connection to arts and culture and help keep the economy growing; protect 17,000 acres of parks and natural areas, and run the Oregon Zoo, to keep nature close to home.

As part of the Metro family, you play a vital role in serving the people of the greater Portland region.

This is a variable hour position with no guarantee of hours. The position is eligible for these benefits:

• Paid sick leave
• Paid parental leave
• Full contribution to Oregon PERS retirement if eligible and qualified.
• No-cost TriMet Hop Pass
• Employee Assistance Program

Metro also offers a variety of perks for all employees, including free admission to the Oregon Zoo (including ZooLights!), Oxbow and Blue Lake Regional Parks, membership discount at Lloyd Athletic Club, credit union eligibility and more. Employees also receive access to financial wellness and legal consultation services, as well as first-time home buying and ownership counseling.

Learn more about employee benefits.

Some variable hour positions are represented by a union and have additional benefits.

View union contracts here.

01

Do you possess a valid drivers license?

• yes
• no

02

Do you possess a valid First Aid/CPR Certification?

• yes
• no

03

In which of the following do you have experience? Check all that apply.

• Identification of trees and shrubs
• Diagnosis of tree and shrub hazards and heath
• Disease treatment and care maintenance of trees and shrubs
• Working as a frontline employee for a public agency
• Basic Mechanical skills
• None of the above

04

Which of the following tools and equipment do you have experience utilizing? Check all that apply.

• Hand tools
• Chainsaws
• Climbing equipment
• Back hoes
• Tractors
• Woodchippers
• Trailers
• Dump trucks
• None of the above

Required Question

Employer Oregon Metro

Address 600 NE Grand Ave

Portland, Oregon, 97232

Phone 503-797-1570

Website http://www.oregonmetro.gov