Tree Inspector

City of Portland; Portland (OR); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Portland is seeking skilled Tree Inspectors to conduct systematic health, structural integrity, and safety assessments of city trees. This advanced professional role may involve field inspections, work orders for pruning or removal, and coordinating with contractors under City contracts.

Inspectors collaborate across bureaus, utilities, developers, and agencies to ensure regulatory compliance. The position emphasizes public communication, equity, and teamwork, with hybrid work

Qualifications

• Experience inspecting and evaluating trees in an urban environment.
• Experience interpreting work plans and using modern database systems.
• Urban forestry best practices and tree risk assessment knowledge.
• Ability to communicate with diverse external and internal audiences.

Responsibilities

• Perform timely reviews of permit applications and on-site inventories.
• Provide technical responses and assess permit compliance.
• Respond to inquiries from residents and internal stakeholders.
• Maintain records of tree conditions and use permit database.
• Investigate and gather evidence for Tree Code violations and ensure compliance.
• Collaborate with supervisors, forester, and other bureaus to implement Tree Code.
• Participate in fostering a positive and equitable work culture.

Skills

Urban tree inspection

Tree risk assessment

Public communication

Collaboration with agencies

Job description

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

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 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.

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. Abilityto 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