Stewardship Technician

Oregon Metro; Portland (OR); Hybrid; USD 44,000 - 59,000; Part time

Job summary

Metro's Parks and Nature department seeks a Stewardship Technician to deliver inclusive outdoor stewardship and education across parks, natural areas, and historic cemeteries. You will work with volunteers and community groups to restore habitat and connect people with nature.

Responsibilities include implementing program plans, maintaining gear, coordinating activities, and ensuring safety. You will help advance environmental justice and equitable access to nature while collaborating with a

Qualifications

• Associate degree in environmental education, natural resources, biology, ecology, parks and recreation, or related field.
• Two years of related experience in land tending and outdoor program facilitation.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and implement land stewardship, outdoor education, and public programs.
• Support volunteers, students, families, and community groups in hands-on activities.
• Build relationships with community organizations, schools, and participants.
• Prepare, transport, organize, and maintain tools, materials, and educational supplies.
• Track participation and assist with evaluating program outcomes.
• Work safely in outdoor environments and contribute to a positive team culture.

Skills

Strong communication

PNW ecology

Land stewardship

Organizational skills

Educational materials design

Team collaboration

Safety practices

Education

Associate degree in environmental fields

Job description

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 Stewardship Technician to help deliver inclusive, participant-centered outdoor stewardship and education programs throughout Metro parks, natural areas and historic cemeteries. This position supports volunteers, students, community organizations, and historically marginalized communities in building meaningful connections to nature while advancing habitat restoration, environmental stewardship, and community engagement.

Metro Parks and Nature's Community Education and Stewardship team engages people through hands-on experiences that foster care for the land, strengthen community relationships, and reflect culturally responsive and inclusive approaches to learning and stewardship. This is an opportunity to work directly with the public, support restoration efforts across the region, and help create impactful experiences in some of Metro's most treasured natural spaces.

As the Stewardship Technician you will

• Coordinate and implement land stewardship, outdoor education, and public programs at Metro parks, natural areas and historic cemeteries.
• Support volunteers, students, families, and community groups in hands-on stewardship activities such as planting, invasive species removal, habitat restoration, and seasonal land care.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with community organizations, schools, program partners, and participants.
• Prepare, transport, organize, and maintain tools, materials, educational supplies, and stewardship equipment.
• Communicate program details and logistics with staff, partners, volunteers, and the public.
• Implement program plans, curricula, and stewardship activities developed by program leads while adapting delivery to participant interests, learning styles, and site conditions.
• Support culturally responsive programming that advances Metro's goals for racial equity, environmental justice, and community connection to nature.
• Track participation, maintain records, and assist with evaluating program outcomes.
• Work safely in outdoor environments and contribute to a positive, collaborative team culture.
• Support with the research and creation of program materials, lesson plans, props, and teaching aids.
• Ensure programming has consistent messages and content which advances current agency-wide education and stewardship initiatives and goals.
• Support tool safety and maintenance in accordance with team best practices and OSHA standards.

Attributes for success

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with experience building and maintaining positive relationships with community organizations, partners, volunteers, and members of the public.
• Understanding of Pacific Northwest ecology, natural history, habitat restoration and invasive species management.
• Experience supporting or leading land stewardship projects in natural environments, including identifying native and non-native plants, planting native species, managing invasive weeds, harvesting plants in season, and guiding volunteers or community groups in stewardship activities.
• Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to manage a high volume of email and chat communications, maintain accurate calendars and schedules, record and track program participant numbers and coordinate multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Skills and experience designing and producing educational materials and props.
• Ability to be flexible and meet the needs of program participants in innovative and creative ways.
• Experience integrating racial equity and environmental justice principles into community programming.
• Experience and ability to work effectively with a team and exhibit a proactive and positive approach to collaboration.
• Ability to work in a safe manner and follow safety policies, practices, and procedures.
• Ability to track, maintain, organize and clean stewardship gear and tools.

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

• Associate’s degree in environmental education, natural resources, biology, ecology, parks and recreation, or a related field and,

• Two years of related experience in land tending, outdoor program facilitation, and coordinating stewardship programs 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

• Candidate selected for the position must be enrolled in the Oregon Office of Child Care Central Background Registry prior to their official start date (enrollment is not required at the time of application).

Working Conditions

• This is a 0.8 FTE position (32 hours per week). The typical work schedule is Wednesday through Saturday with flexibility based on operational needs.
• Weekend work is required and occasional evening work may occur.
• Position requires frequent walking on uneven or rough terrain in all weather conditions.
• Requires regular outdoor work in parks, natural areas and historic cemeteries throughout the region.
• Requires lifting, carrying and moving equipment and supplies weighing up to 40 pounds on a regular basis. Load, transport, unload, move and set up tools and plant materials and other program gear.
• Ability to work outside in adverse weather conditions (rain, cold, dust, heat, heavy pollen).
• Requires transportation, setup and cleanup of stewardship tools and program materials.

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.

Hybrid Telework

This position is designated as primary onsite "hybrid telework." You will be required to work onsite, and at times have the option to work away from your assigned work location. The specific schedule and balance of onsite and telework will be discussed with the hiring manager at the time of offer. Employees must reside in Oregon or Washington to work at Metro. Please note, the designation of hybrid telework may be subject to change at a future time.

Like to have qualifications

• Experience leading and coordinating hands-on outdoor education or stewardship programs for all ages.
• Knowledge of best practices for land tending, outdoor program facilitation and trauma-informed education.
• Understanding of the history of systemic racism in parks, natural areas and conservation movements.
• Experience providing culturally relevant stewardship programs.
• Experience working with communities impacted by trauma and designing programs that support healing and connection.
• Experience communicating across cultural and linguistic differences.
• Conversational proficiency in Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Russian or another language commonly spoken in the region.

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND REPRESENTATON

The full hourly range for this position is step 1: $32.12 to step 7: $43.08. However, unless a candidate’s qualifications justify, based on the Oregon Pay Equity Act requirements and Metro’s internal equity review process, the appointment will likely be made between step 1: $32.12 to the equity range step 4: $37.23.

This position is eligible for overtime and is represented by AFSCME 3580. It is classified as an Education Technician.

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: [e-mail]

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.

Non-discrimination?in hiring decisions

Metro is committed to equal employment?opportunity?and?complies with?all applicable federal, state, and local civil rights laws. Metro employment decisions – including recruitment, screening, interviewing, selection, promotion, compensation, and separation – must not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected class.??

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.

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.

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.