Skilled Occupational Intern, Urban Forestry

*TO APPLY, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.CITYOFTACOMA.ORG/JOBS. PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED ONLINE ONLY AT OUR CITY WEBSITE. THIS ROLE IS BASED IN TACOMA, WA.*

The City of Tacoma's Office of Environmental Policy and Sustainability is recruiting for a full-time or part-time intern. This temporary intern will have the opportunity to learn from Office staff and to provide technical assistance on a variety of Urban Forestry (UF) projects and programs within the Office of Environmental Policy and Sustainability (OEPS). These include the planning, research, engagement, and implementation of key Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP) actions that support the City’s health, urban forestry, and equity goals. This is a great opportunity to join the City of Tacoma, acquire valuable work experience, and personally contribute to positive change in our community.
If the below list of personal traits sounds like you, then you are just the type of person we are looking for to join our team!

• Organized and excels at multi-tasking
• Excellent public speaking, writing and interpersonal communication skills
• Strong personal motivation commitment to outcomes
• Outstanding customer service, people skills and professionalism
• Enjoy working with diverse communities
• Passionate about social and environmental justice

The intern selected for this position will be responsible for engaging in the following types of job duties:

• Assisting in Urban Forestry communications, including improving and updating City webpage content, supporting the creation of engaging social media posts, responding to customer phone calls and emails, conducting outreach in priority planting areas, and working with partnering organizations to plan events and advertise for programs.
• Assisting in the implementation of the Urban Forest Management Plan, including community incentive programs such as Tree Coupons, Grit City Trees, Community Tree Program, and other planting programs. This may  include tree inventories, site assessments, community outreach, tree distribution coordination, analysis, data management and analysis, report writing, and working with community partners to support specific events such as Green Tacoma Day (October 12, 2024).
• Assisting with maintenance of Urban Forsetry tree stock at the City’s Plant Holding Facility. This could include small improvement projects, irrigation maintenance, weeding, tool/equipment maintenance, and updating the facility’s inventory of trees.
• Assisting with data collection, analytics, and reporting regarding historic tree planting and tree removals throughout the city, including for private development, permitting, and public projects.
• Coordination of at least one tree planting and/or other related urban forestry public engagement project that is focused on community building through trees.

Educational Benefits:
 Educational benefits to be derived by participants in this job include: local government operations; urban forestry; team work; research; GIS and mapping skills; public speaking; event coordination; and employability skills.
 Hours and Terms of the Position: 
This is a temporary part-time to full-time (20-40 hours per week) position that is anticipated to be filled from approximately June 2024, through June 2025.
 
 Location and Physical Requirements of Position:
Time will usually be spent in an office, in the field, and in meetings. This position requires sitting at a desk for extended periods, using a computer, traveling to other City facilities, attending meetings and taking notes, communicating over the phone and accessing employee workspaces. Ability to lift at least 20 pounds, may be required occasionally.

Hybrid in-office and remote work will be allowed and determined through Supervisor discretion.

City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Tacoma's diversity is its greatest asset. Tacoma embraces its multi-cultural and multi-ethnic character. Communities of color and immigrant communities are fundamental to Tacoma's entrepreneurial spirit, workforce, and long-term success. In Tacoma, equity and empowerment are top priorities, meaning that all Tacoma residents must have equitable opportunities to reach their full potential and share in the benefits of community progress. One of our goals is for the City of Tacoma workforce to reflect the community it serves. We actively work to eliminate racial and other disparities and welcome candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skill sets and experiences. Our goal is for Tacoma to be an inclusive and equitable place to live, work, and play.
 

Qualifications

Graduation from high school or GED equivalent.

AND

1 year of post-high school training

*Equivalency: 1 year of experience = 1 year of education

Knowledge & Skills

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:

• Knowledge of environmental topics.
• Knowledge of research methodology.
• Skill in operating a personal computer using basic software, including Microsoft Office and spreadsheets such as Microsoft Excel or other software programs.
• Effective problem solving skills.
• Ability to work as part of a team and independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to plan, organize, and implement programs and to write clear, complete, and logical reports.
• Ability to learn pertinent Federal, State, and local laws and ordinances.
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
• Ability to effectively collaborate and work with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

SELECTION PROCESS & SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
To be considered for this exciting and rewarding career opportunity:
 Interested individuals must complete the online application and attach a detailed resume that includes past work and education experience and a brief cover letter stating why they want to participate in the internship.
  
 This is a competitive selection process.  It is the responsibility of the applicants to adequately describe all pertinent experience and training. Please make sure you read the questions and provide complete informative answers. DO NOT respond with "see resume" in lieu of answering these questions. Candidates whose qualifications most closely correspond with the Department's needs will be placed on a referral list for review and potential interview selection.  
 
Applicants who have the strongest backgrounds related to the responsibilities of this position may be invited to participate in an interview, including a skills test. Appointment is subject to passing a background check.
 
NOTE: Applications received without the required resume and cover letter will not progress in the selection process.
 
The City of Tacoma is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workplace. Applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital or veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, and local laws.

Our City:
 With a population of over 210,000, Tacoma is the second largest city in the Puget Sound region, gracing the shores of Commencement Bay. We are a diverse, progressive, international city that serves as a gateway to the Pacific Rim and the rest of the world.  Named one of the most livable areas in the country by Livability.com, Tacoma and the surrounding area is a playground for outdoor and maritime enthusiasts. Our businesses are vibrant, our parks are beautiful, our schools are exceptional and our housing is affordable.
 
The City of Tacoma believes that each employee makes a significant contribution to our success. This job description is designed to outline primary duties, qualifications and job scope.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

Communication from the City of Tacoma:
We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from cityoftacoma.org and/or governmentjobs.com must be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk email folders.
 
The online application system requires you to enter a substantial amount of information. Be prepared to spend at least an hour entering information. In order for your application materials to be considered, all information must be submitted by the closing date and time listed on this job announcement.
 
For assistance with the application process, or questions regarding the position, please contact the Human Resources office at (253) 591-5400 by 4:00 pm of the closing date of the job announcement.

Agency
                           City of Tacoma

Address
                          Human Resources Department
                          747 Market Street
                          Tacoma, Washington, 98402-3764

Phone
                          253-591-5400

Website
                          http://www.cityoftacoma.org