Parks Natural Infrastructure Specialist

Job Summary

Make an impact:

The City of Salem has an exciting opportunity for a qualified and highly motivated individual to join us as a Parks Natural Infrastructure Specialist in our Community Services Department. Salem has a spectacular park system filled with amazing natural resources that require continual management.

We are looking for a Parks Natural Infrastructure Specialist with horticultural and natural resources management experience to help us maintain and enhance a variety of important and significant landscapes, from historical gardens to expansive natural areas. We invite you to come work with a very engaged community and a City Council that supports our work!

(Camas blooms in the Lower Oak Grove at Bush’s Pasture Park )

Learn And Grow

The Community Services Department promotes a healthy work life balance, while maintaining the utmost dedication to the health, safety and welfare of our community. If you are looking for an opportunity to be part of an organization that provides opportunities to learn, a friendly work environment, and a great family-work balance, then the City of Salem is the place for you.

What You Will Do

As a Parks Natural Infrastructure Specialist, you will plan and implement projects that maintain and enhance ornamental gardens and contribute to the management of Salem’s natural areas. This position will develop work plans that include planting designs, and time, material, and labor estimates. You will work under a highly supportive management structure. You will also coordinate and lead work crews, train others in horticultural and natural system management techniques and provide exceptional customer service for individuals and groups interested in our parks and open spaces. This opportunity will work on highly visible projects and programs that are both good for the environment and that enrich the quality of life in Salem. Work is completed in a collaborative, team environment composed of highly talented individuals responsible for a range of exciting programs and projects.

What can we offer you for all your hard work?

• Position schedule is Monday through Thursday (10-hour days) or Monday through Friday (8-hour days).
• Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family.
• Employee assistance program.
• Opportunity for voluntary pre-tax contributions to a 457b account.
• Voluntary long-term care.
• Employer-paid PERS contribution of 6%.
• Employee wellness program.
• Competitive pay.
• Paid vacation and sick time in accordance with City policies.
• Employee health clinic.

What are the minimum qualifications?

• Must pass the pre-employment background check.
• Bachelor's Degree with a major in biology, botany, horticulture or natural resource science; and three years of experience in horticultural or natural area development activities; or any combination of experience and training that demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skill and abilities as listed, and ability to perform the essential job functions.
• Must have an Oregon Driver License and have a driving record that meets the City of Salem's driving standards.
• Certifications and/or Licenses:
• Oregon Pesticide License, or ability to obtain one within six months from hire date.

Preferred Qualifications (Not Required To Apply)

• Bilingual Skills Preferred.
• Oregon Commercial Driver’s license (CDL) Preferred. For CDL drivers, must pass a pre-employment drug screen (including marijuana).

What You Will Bring Along

• Experience training others in horticultural and natural resource management techniques.
• Arboriculture knowledge and experience.
• Experience using Integrated Pest Management strategies to address pests.
• Experience managing projects involving any combination of natural area protection, enhancement, or restoration. This experience will preferably be within the Pacific Northwest Coast ecoregion.
• Experience in plant propagation or greenhouse management.
• Experience developing planting and irrigation plans for water efficient landscaping.
• Experience managing ornamental gardens. Preferably managing gardens within historic properties and culturally significant landscapes.

About Us

The City of Salem is the second largest City in the State of Oregon, located in the heart of Willamette Valley, and is the capital city of Oregon with a population over 170,000. Centrally located, Salem is 47 miles south of Portland and an hour from the Cascade Mountains to the east and an hour from the ocean beaches to the west. Salem is an exceptional community for living and working with exciting new and comfortable well-established neighborhoods and carefully preserved historic buildings.

A full-service City, Salem has eight primary departments: Community Services, Finance, Fire, Enterprise Services, Legal, Police, Public Works, and Community and Urban Development. Several departments also have functional divisions within their department. The City has five labor unions and employs roughly 1,350 talented and dedicated staff members. The Urban Renewal Agency and the Salem Housing Authority are separate municipal corporations. The Agency contracts with the City for services and the Authority is led by the Housing Administrator within the Urban Development department.

Where can I find out more about the position?

Go to the menu option for Class Specifications and search for Natural Infrastructure Specialist or view by clicking here .

How can I apply?

The City of Salem invites individuals of all diverse communities and backgrounds to apply for our available job opportunities as we strive to provide the best service to everyone. The City of Salem is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all and has a culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe that by welcoming differences, encouraging new ideas and views, listening to, and learning from each other, we are better able to serve the community.

To apply, click on the green “Apply” button to complete your application. Make sure that you specify how you meet the qualifications outlined in the class specification and complete the application.

Applicants that meet the minimum qualifications as outlined above but not selected for this position may be placed on an eligibility list, and candidates may be hired from the list. Eligibility lists are valid for six months. The City will send email notifications to eligible candidates about potential hiring opportunities so please ensure your email settings accept our system generated email notifications.

You may subscribe for automatic notification of job openings at the City through the Job Interest Cards – sign up today!

For more information about employment at the City of Salem, please visit our website at www.cityofsalem.net/jobs .