The Land Stewardship Division Manager is the Senior Manager who oversees all land management activities for Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) which was awarded the NRPA Gold Medal as the best park system in the United States in 2011.  This includes a broad spectrum of more than 200 parks and ecologically significant natural areas totaling over 11,000 acres. The natural areas consist of wetlands, forests and riparian habitats that provide access to nature for Portland’s citizens.  Parks include a broad spectrum of places, including historic parks such as the Washington Park International Rose Test Garden and newer urban plazas such as Simon and Helen Director Park.  The role of the Land Stewardship Division Manager is to integrate the activities of managing this wide spectrum of landscape types so that our citizens can enjoy access to nature and recreational activities, while enjoying the diversity of beauty provided by both natural and designed landscapes. PP&R is the only parks system in the U.S. to be Salmon-Safe Certified, reflecting our city’s commitment to leadership in sustainability and ecological management practices.  The intent of this new position is to bring together all land management expertise, knowledge and strategies under one manager. 

Responsibilities include planning, organizing, directing and evaluating the programs, activities, and personnel of the division of approximately 150 employees who protect, maintain, restore and enhance the 11,000 acres of land managed by the Bureau that are part of a regionally ecologically significant system of open spaces, ranging from natural resource areas to highly developed parks to active recreation facilities.  This position also oversees ecologists, horticultural services, community gardens, a plant nursery, turf and irrigation maintenance, environmental education, the integrated pest management program, and the recreational trails program.

The Manager is responsible for ensuring that all PP&R's land management practices are focused on maintaining biodiversity, are aesthetically appealing, are sustainable over time, and reflect the best ecological science, horticultural practices, and landscape management practices for urban parks and natural areas.  The Manager reports to the Bureau Director, and serves as a member of the bureau's Senior Management Team, helping set the strategic direction and policy of the bureau.  The Manager is expected to actively promote a PP&R-wide ethic of teamwork and collaboration among all PP&R work divisions, managers and within the community.  The Land Stewardship Division Manager will often represent the Bureau with outside partners, stakeholders and community partners.

The City of Portland, Oregon is a growing and diverse city of 609,000 residents, nearly 20% of whom speak languages other than English at home.  The successful candidate will have experience working with people from diverse racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. Portland Parks & Recreation values a diverse workforce and seeks ways to promote equity and inclusion within the organization. PP&R encourages applications from candidates with knowledge, ability and experience working with a broad range of individuals and diverse communities. Although not required, PP&R encourages candidates that can fluently speak another language to include that information in their resume. Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

The City is offering an optional information meeting for this recruitment.  Please see the Additional Information section below for details.

1. Knowledge and experience applying the principles, practices and techniques involved in the long-term planning, construction, maintenance, and operation of parks, natural area and ecological systems.
2. Knowledge and practical experience in managing both ecologically significant and urban parks landscapes, applying sustainable landscape management techniques, strategies and practices at both site and city-wide scales to integrate these differing landscapes into a holistic system.
3. Experience establishing and maintaining effective cooperative and collaborative working relationships and partnerships with elected officials, all levels of management, other divisions and bureaus, other elected and appointed government officials, key stakeholders and members of special interest groups, including boards, and diverse community organizations.
4. Ability and experience leading others, especially your ability to effectively manage and coordinate significant organizational change and transition in a large and complex organization.
5. Ability, experience and commitment in developing a diverse workforce, with a strong customer service culture in a healthy and safe work environment.

Applicant Instructions

Applicants must submit a cover letter and professional resume online, specifically focused on your qualifications for this position as identified in the "To Qualify" section of this announcement in accordance with the following Application Instructions:

Your résumé and cover letter will be the basis for our evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Incomplete or inappropriate information may result in disqualification.

• Your cover letter should include details describing your education, training and/or experience, and where obtained which clearly reflects your qualifications for each of the numbered items in the “To Qualify” section of this announcement.
• Your resume should support the details described in the cover letter.
• If you are requesting Veteran’s Preference, as identified below, please describe in your cover letter any transferable skills obtained during your military service and how they relate to each of the required minimum qualifications under the "To Qualify" section above.

Your résumé and cover letter should be no more than a total of four (4) pages combined.

All completed applications for this position must be submitted online. The recruitment will close no later than 4:30 pm, on the closing date of this recruitment. E-mailed and/or faxed applications will not be accepted.

If you are requesting Veteran’s Preference, attach a copy of your DD214 / DD215 and / or Veteran’s Administration letter stating your disability to your profile, as well as checking the box identifying yourself as a Veteran. You must request Veteran’s Preference AND include a copy of your documentation for each recruitment you apply for.

Veteran’s Preference documentation must be submitted no later than 4:30 PM on the closing date of this recruitment.

Non-citizen applicants must be authorized to work in the United States at time of application.

It is the policy of the City of Portland that no person shall be discriminated against based on race, religion, color, sex, marital status, family status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or source of income. The City values diversity and encourages everyone who is interested in employment with the City to apply. If you wish to identify yourself as an individual with a disability under the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 and will be requesting accommodation, the requests must be made to the Analyst(s) named below No Later Than the Closing Date of This Announcement.

Questions?

An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

OPTIONAL INFORMATION SESSION

To assist you in understanding this position and the recruitment process, we will offer an Optional Information Session that will provide you with details about the position and about the application process. You are not required to attend to apply for this job. You are welcome to join us for the optional session below:

East Portland Community Center
Class Room #2
740 SE 106th
Portland, OR 97216
December 3, 2015
6:00 to 7:00 pm