The Community Education and Stewardship (CES) team is a group of collaborative, fun and lively educators and stewardship programs practitioners who are seeking a new team member. The Stewardship Programs Lead will work with the CES team to co-create and lead outdoor stewardship programs for the public.
The CES team centers Black, Indigenous, people of color and other historically marginalized communities in all of our work. The person in this position is required to have cultural competences relating to the communities we serve as well as experience working with and supporting them.
What you will do
The primary work of the Stewardship Programs Lead is to design, organize, deliver and evaluate outdoor stewardship programs to ensure inclusive, effective and safe programs. The person in this position ensures all programming has consistent messaging and content, builds and maintains relationships with community members; and advances current agency-wide equity initiatives and goals. The person in this position will also work closely with the Indigenous Community Liaison to help steward lands for safe harvest and care of culturally significant plants.
This is an office and outdoor based position that typically reports to the Metro Regional Center in Portland. At this time, the Stewardship Programs Lead teleworks some days of the work week but is also required to report to the Metro Regional Center and other Parks and Nature sites.
DUTIES, in addition to what is mentioned above:
Meet community needs by leading and co-creating outdoor stewardship programming that is culturally responsive, respectful and includes trauma-informed care best practices
Coordinate with Parks and Nature staff in the science, operations, and land management teams, to identify and gather supplies and implement stewardship activities for the public
Properly maintain, organize, repair, purchase and keep accurate inventory of multiple sets of hand tools and other supplies
Acquire and ensure the safe transfer of plant materials and other supplies needed to conduct stewardship activities
Communicate effectively and respectfully with community members and partners from a wide variety of racial and cultural backgrounds, abilities, gender identities and expressions, ages, English language skills, and socioeconomic backgrounds
Develop guidelines, protocols, policies and procedures for all program areas
Support the CES team manager with monthly and annual reporting tasks, and analyze program data to inform decisions
Build and maintain respectful relationships with culturally specific organizations
Regularly lift and physically move plants, tools, mulch, and other program materials
Drive a Metro vehicle, must have a valid driver’s license
This position requires the ability to perform those activities necessary to complete the essential functions of the job, either with or without reasonable accommodation. Position requires frequent or continuous talking, repetitive motions of the hands/wrists, walking, standing, reaching, sitting and good general hearing. Also requires feeling, bending, kneeling, grasping, stooping, and the ability to push and/or pull, lift and/or carry up to 40 pounds. Duties are performed outdoors, exposing incumbent to inclement weather
General Duties
Support Parks and Nature department by attending regular department meetings, supporting department initiatives and plans, and serving on department work groups and project teams
Recruits, trains, schedules and oversees the position of Volunteer Coordinator I, temporary employees, volunteers and interns
Support and collaborate with the CES team members, lead team projects, and other team duties as assigned
Work assigned schedule and exhibit regular and predictable attendance
Perform duties in a safe manner and follow safety policies, practices and procedures
Foster a workplace that supports equity and respect for all
Fulfill Metro’s values of public service, excellence, teamwork, respect, innovation and sustainability and Parks and Nature’s core values of integrity and respect, seeking the best way, creating connections and stewardship
Perform other related duties as assigned
Traits for Success
Knowledge of best practices for outdoor program coordination of groups and public engagement, and trauma-informed approaches to education
Understanding of the history of systematic racism in parks and natural areas and the conservation movement, and experience discussing these topics and offering alternatives
Understanding of white supremacy values, and willingness to navigate those within a government system to achieve better outcomes for the public as well as within the department
Knowledge of decolonization theory and application to one’s self and work
Commitment to continued learning and advancing racial equity through this position
Theory and principles of botany, biology of flora and fauna, ecology and ecosystem management
Basic knowledge of plant physiology and plant-soil interactions
Principles, methods and techniques of plant propagation and plant collection management including plant fertility, soils, pruning, planting and plant removal techniques
Basic planting and tending (maintenance) skills, and an ability to teach others in those skills
Knowledge of native and non-native flora, including identification at multiple phenological stages
Project management methods, tools and techniques
Ability to maintain a professional demeanor at all times
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
Exhibit a proactive and positive approach to collaboration and coordination
Ability to plan ahead and foresee and resolve issues before they escalate
Willingness to learn new software and systems
Ability to establish excellent rapport with fellow employees and managers, vendors and contractors, and members of the public
Ability to work independently and as a team member
Ability to work in a safe manner and follow safety policies, practices and procedures
Ability to foster a workplace that supports equity and respect for all
Fulfill Metro’s values of public service, excellence, teamwork, respect, innovation and sustainability and Parks and Nature’s core values of integrity and respect, seeking the best way, creating connections and stewardship
Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, Human Resources, or related field and three years of experience in outdoor program coordination; or any combination of experience and education which provides the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge and ability required to perform the job.
Must have formal or informal training and knowledge of native plant and weed identification, experience teaching others how to properly utilize hand-tools in order to transplant, seed, mulch, and hand-pull weeds, and ability to ensure a safe working area for people of varied abilities.
In order to best meet the needs of the communities we serve, the person in this position must have a strong racial equity analysis and understanding of how racism and colonization are deeply rooted in the environmental movement, volunteering and nature education practices.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
A minimum of three years’ experience developing, implementing and managing outdoor education and stewardship programming that centers racial equity and environmental justice and honors that we are on Indigenous land.
Knowledge of and demonstrated experience with Native American/Indigenous protocol, custom, traditions and culture.
Understanding of traditional ecological knowledge relating to native plants and natural resources in the Pacific Northwest.
Knowledge of methods and approaches to Indigenous information sharing, gathering, analysis and dissemination.
Understanding of Tribal treaty rights, land use policy and current affairs affecting access to land and Indigenous cultural practices.
Extensive knowledge of local ecosystems, habitat types, flora and fauna of this region is encouraged.
Conversational proficiently in Chinese, Spanish, Vietnamese or Russian.
***Application requirements in order to be considered***
1) Complete electronic application; 2) cover letter describing your experience as it specifically relates to the duties and qualifications of this position; 3) answers to supplemental questions
This position is represented by AFSCME 3580 and is classified at Metro as a Volunteer Coordinator II (click to read the full classification).
ABOUT PARKS AND NATURE
At Metro, we manage over 17,000 acres of voter-protected land across greater Portland, with a focus on protecting clean water, restoring fish and wildlife habitat, and connecting people with nature close to home. We’re looking for somebody who shares Metro’s commitment to making sure that all our region’s diverse communities – including communities of color and low-income communities – have opportunities to connect with nature.
Additional Information:
Hello, we’re Metro
Across greater Portland in 24 cities and three counties, there’s one local government that brings us all together. Led by an elected council, Metro helps Oregonians shape the future and provides services that make life better today. Metro’s work spans parks and nature, land and transportation, garbage and recycling, and arts and events. We help make greater Portland a great place to call home.
Find Metro:
Online applications: Metro accepts job applications online. If you need assistance or accommodation with your application, or access to a computer, call 503-797-1570.
Accommodation: Reasonable accommodation is available to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this process. To obtain confidential assistance please contact Human Resources at 503-797-1570.
Public Employees Retirement System (PERS): New employees will pay the employee portion of the PERS contribution.
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.
Criminal background check: In order to protect the wellbeing of its employees, the public and agency assets, Metro may conduct criminal background checks on candidates selected for Metro positions. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude employment and will be considered on a case by case basis. A background check will only be conducted if you are selected as a finalist for a position. If selected as a finalist, you will be contacted by Human Resources prior to the initiation of a background check.
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. Assistance will be gladly provided upon request for any applicant with sensory or non-sensory disabilities.
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer
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