Tree Inspector

City of Portland, Oregon; Portland (OR); Ibrido; USD 65.000 - 90.000; Tempo pieno

Descrizione del lavoro

The City of Portland, Oregon is seeking skilled Tree Inspectors to assess tree health, structural integrity, and public safety risks for public trees. Positions involve on-site inspections, permit issuance, and coordination with contractors and city staff.

Tree Inspectors collaborate with multiple bureaus to ensure compliance with Tree Code. The role requires strong communication with residents and stakeholders and may involve field work in varied environments.

Competenze

• Experience inspecting and evaluating trees in an urban environment.
• Ability to interpret work plans and professional reports.
• Knowledge of tree risk assessment and urban forest management.

Mansioni

• Perform on-site tree inventories, inspections, and permit reviews.
• Provide technical responses and documentation for compliance.
• Communicate with residents, developers, and internal stakeholders.
• Maintain records in city database and track development reviews.
• Collaborate with city bureaus and public agencies on Tree Code compliance.
• Support a positive safety and inclusive work culture.

Conoscenze

Urban tree inspection

Public safety assessment

Stakeholder communication

Strumenti

City tree management software

Database systems

Descrizione del lavoro

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.
• Investigateand 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 City's 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! 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.

Monday, November 16, 2026

12:00 PM Pacific Time

Microsoft Teams: Register Here

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

1. 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.
2. Experience interpreting work plans, reviewing professional reports, and utilizing modern database systems to accurately input and analyze data to manage workloads.
3. 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.
4. 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 an 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)

What to Expect:

1. Application Review – (Week of November 16): We'll review your application materials to ensure you meet the minimum qualifications listed above.
2. 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.

1. 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.

1. Selection Process – (December): The hiring bureau will review interested and qualified applications, conduct interviews, and check references.
2. Conditional Job Offer – (December/January): Final candidates may undergo a background and driving record check.

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? We're here to help! If you have questions about this recruitment or need assistance, contact:

Tamela Ressler, Senior Recruiter
[e-mail]
Bureau of Human Resources