Dates of Service

October 21st, 2026  –  July 29th, 2027 (1,200 hours, approx. 32 hours/week)

POSITION TITLE

Depave for Trees Coordinator

Project Partner

Oregon Walks and Depave

https://oregonwalks.org/

https://www.depave.org/

Position Summary

This position is in partnership between the Confluence Environmental Center, AmeriCorps Program, DePave and Oregon Walks. 82nd Avenue is in the middle of major public reinvestment, and one of the clearest calls from the community has been for less pavement and more green space, especially trees. This position exists to answer that call on the ground: designing a new "micro-depaving" pilot program that partners directly with private landowners to remove small sections of pavement, plant a tree, and support the landowner in maintaining it.

This position will build the relationships and evidence base for a micro-depaving program model through community outreach, education, and partnership building to support increased access to greenspaces along 82nd Avenue.

Estimated time breakdown: 40% research, pilot program design; 30% outreach, recruitment, and education; up to 10% project fundraising; and 20% Confluence cohort/leadership development activities.

The AmeriCorps Volunteer will participate in Confluence-led leadership development activities which include:  Leadership Development Training Series, team meetings, National Service events and other self-directed development opportunities (20%).

Essential Functions (to include, but not limited to):

• Research and design a "micro-depaving" program model for small-scale private-lot depaving projects along the 82nd Avenue corridor including explanations on how to identify sites, how to engage with land owners, how to navigate permitting, and how to contract with partners.
• Outreach to private landowners along 82nd Avenue to identify potential participants
• Build and maintain relationships with community and technical partners, including the 82nd Avenue Coalition, BRANCH Coalition partners, the City of Portland, and local workforce development organizations.
• Coordinate with City of Portland permitting staff to understand how the program design stays within permit-exempt thresholds.
• Identify and define project metrics, outcomes, and narratives to support project sustainability including information about the history of over paving, its impacts on the community, and the importance of depaving and tree canopy development.
• Complete and submit all necessary paperwork and reports in a timely manner; attend and complete all training and service requirements; wear Confluence uniform and/or appropriate identifiers and required safety gear while performing service or attending official events.
• Abide by program and AmeriCorps policies. Under no circumstances will AmeriCorps Volunteers be asked to perform prohibited activities outlined in the approved grant.

Position Requirements

• Deep interest in environmental justice, urban forestry, and environmental work.
• Comfortable engaging directly with private landowners and community members from a wide range of backgrounds; lived experience in community organizing or outreach is valued equally with formal education.
• Written and verbal communication skills to draft outreach materials, meeting notes, and grant application materials (specific grant-writing experience is not required but is a benefit).
• Regular and reliable attendance and dependability; ability to serve as part of a team spanning two host organizations.
• Willingness/openness to learn about and discuss racial equity and social justice issues.
• Ability to serve as part of a diverse team.
• Regular and reliable attendance and dependability.
• AmeriCorps Volunteers must be: 17 years of age or older at beginning of service term; S. citizen, national or lawful permanent resident; in possession of a high school diploma or equivalent, or commit to earning one prior to receiving education award; able to commit to the full term of service; able to successfully pass a fingerprint criminal history background check and satisfactory report from the National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) prior to the start of the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual or multilingual skills relevant to 82nd Avenue's communities (e.g., Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese).
• Experience or coursework in urban forestry, landscape design, environmental science, or a related field.
• Familiarity with East Portland or the 82nd Avenue corridor.
• Experience with data tracking tools (Excel, Google Sheets) or basic GIS/mapping.
• Experience organizing or facilitating community events or volunteer work.

Member Benefits Include:

• $15,200 living allowance paid over the 8-month term of service (approx. $1,688 monthly, before taxes).
• $5,176 education award (qualified student loans and/or education expenses)
• Loan Forbearance
• Health Care Insurance
• Child Care Reimbursement Option
• $50 Training Fund
• Professional Leadership Certificate, Trainings and Networking opportunities.
• May be eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
• Monthly TriMet passes available.
• Access to a Member Assistance Program (free counseling, health & financial tips, etc.)
• Access to a large network of partner organizations
• Access to events, networking, professional development, and conferences
• The knowledge that you’re working on important environmental justice issues facing tens of thousands of folks in east Portland

Project Location & Transportation Information:

• Member’s office space will be at Depave's Portland office located at River Street Studios (820 N River St, Portland OR) in Portland's inner east side. In person organizing/canvassing and site visits will largely occur on/near 82nd Avenue.
• Portland has a robust public transit network between the office space and 82nd Avenue. The member is encouraged to utilize public transportation and bicycle transportation. Trimet but and Max routes can be found here.