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Information
Use this page to learn more about careers in parks and recreation, find resources to build skills, and contact information for employment and career specialists with the PP&R.
If you are interested in careers with PP&R, see below for a general overview of careers in parks and recreation, the types of employment we offer, and a list of current job openings.
If you are a school or community-based organization and would like to learn more about bringing employment information and career opportunities out to your location, contact us. We speak in classrooms and community rooms, table at job and resource fairs, provide application workshops and interview tip sessions, and offer a variety of other formats.
Please let us know if there is information you are interested in that is not on this page.
Current job openings
Before applying for a job with Portland Parks and Recreation, you need to create an account on GovernmentJobs.com.
Youth Opportunities:
- Each year, PP&R employs on average over 1,500 people aged 14 to 24. Many of these youth employees work in the Summer for programs like Aquatics; Summer Camps; Summer Concerts, Events, and Arts; and Free Lunch and Play.
- Typically, PP&R begins recruitments for summer seasonal employment in the winter, around January and February.
- The PP&R Talent Engagement team loves coming to high schools and colleges around the Portland area to raise awareness about careers in parks and recreation. Keep an eye out for the team at your local school or college!
- Not interested in a seasonal or part time job? Reach out to the team to learn more.
Careers at Portland Parks & Recreation
Portland's parks, public places, natural areas, and recreational opportunities give life and beauty to our city. Join us to be part of upholding this legacy for our community. These essential assets connect people to place, self, and others. Portland's resident's treasure and care for this legacy, building on the past to provide for future generations.
Assets and Development
- Assets and Development division plans and implements the creation of new parks, facilities, and amenities. This team is also responsible for the care and maintenance of existing park assets. Maintenance careers provide skilled trades and technical services that keep parks and facilities safe and functional. Staff develop from entry-level technicians into specialized trade experts and leaders overseeing complex operations.
Business Services and Administrative Support
- Administrative careers in parks and recreation provide the essential business, communications, technology, and management services that keep the organization running smoothly. Staff can grow from support roles into analytical, supervisory, and senior management positions. Many people start in other divisions (like Recreation or Urban Forestry) and end up specializing in administrative areas as their career progresses. Areas of expertise include communications, workforce development, marketing, community engagement, procurement, accounting, property and real estate, equity, finance, and risk and safety.
Recreation Services
- Recreation careers provide programs and services that help the community stay active, healthy, and connected. Staff may start by leading activities and programs, then move into running community centers, events, and larger recreation initiatives. Recreation serves people of all ages and abilities, with opportunities in sports, fitness, arts and culture, education, and more. Work locations include pools, community centers, athletic fields, developed parks, or offices.
Safety/Security
- The Safety and Security team keeps members of the public and employees safe. This team includes the Park Rangers, whose careers focus on community safety, education, and stewardship of public spaces. Staff may advance from frontline service to supervisory and leadership roles in safety, security, and emergency management.
Land Stewardship
- Land Stewardship careers center on caring for Portland's parks, natural areas, and community gardens. Team members progress from hands-on fieldwork to advanced parks and ecological management or leadership of citywide stewardship programs. This division also leads environmental education programming for the City.
Urban Forestry
- Urban Forestry careers ensure the health, safety, and sustainability of Portland's urban tree canopy found in parks and along streets. Roles span from tree care, tree planting, and community outreach to policy development and division leadership guiding long-term canopy growth. Urban Forestry covers the physical maintenance of trees, as well as science, outreach, and policy related to the canopy. Staff start out as hands on field technicians, develop arboricultural expertise in senior specialist roles, and advance to positions overseeing teams of arborists, botanic specialists, or coordinators.
Resources for the Community
Reach out to our talent engagement specialists (contacts below) if you would like hard copies of the following resources or if you'd like us to provide workshops on these topics to students or community members.
- Resume and interview tips
- Professional development goal setting
- Career paths in parks and recreation
- How to apply to city of Portland jobs
- General tabling and recruitment outreach
Contact Us
| Contact | Role |
|---|---|
| Andre Channel | Talent Engagement Specialist – Parks and Recreation general employment |
| Laure Butera | Talent Engagement Specialist – Parks and Recreation Aquatics employment |
| Riley Clark -Long | Talent Engagement and Development Supervisor |