What are the responsibilities and job description for the Urban Forestry Business Engagement Specialist, (Project Management Assistant) - Office of Heat Response and Mitigation position at City of Phoenix?
About This Position
The City of Phoenix Office of Heat Response and Mitigation is charged with establishing and implementing a cohesive strategy to address the growing hazard of urban heat in the nation's hottest large city. The office develops plans and programs that include short-term strategies to protect public health during extreme heat events and long-term strategies to create a cooler, safer, and more comfortable city for all. This position is funded by a philanthropic grant and will be hired as a Project Management Assistant in the City's job classification system.
The Office of Heat Response and Mitigation seeks an Urban Forestry Business Engagement Specialist to advance goals and actions in the recently adopted Shade Phoenix Plan. The successful candidate will be responsible for helping to design and implement new programs and processes that accelerate business-facing tree and shade initiatives, including those related to education, engagement, and code compliance. The position will be housed in the Office of Heat Response and Mitigation and will be expected to work collaboratively with other city departments, including Neighborhood Services, Sustainability, and Planning and Development.
Specific duties for this position include: (1) serving as an educational resource for the local business community, providing information about tree species selection, maintenance strategies, water resources, and other key factors; (2) working with city departments to implement new processes that more proactively promote business compliance with tree and shade requirements in city code; (3) using GIS and mapping tools to prioritize needs and opportunities for business engagement, and; 4) recognizing exemplary shade projects on private property.
This is a temporary position funded by a grant intended to run through December 31, 2026, with the possibility of being made regular in a future budget cycle. The temporary position will have benefits but will not earn city retirement credits or participate financially in the city's retirement program. If the successful candidate is a current City employee, all benefits will still be applicable, and the employee will still contribute to their pension. Temporary positions are not covered under civil service rules, and thus employment is considered "at-will", and employees may be separated at any time.
IDEAL CANDIDATE
Pay Range: $60,028.80 - $97,780.80 annually.
Hiring Range: $60,028.80 - $80,454.40 annually
Pay Range Explanation
The pay grade and classification/unit of your current position may be found by looking up your job title on the job description page .
Benefits
A comprehensive benefits package is offered which includes:
Minimum Qualifications
The minimum qualifications listed above, plus:
Recruitment closes December 8, 2025. All materials must be received by 11:59 p.m. on this date.
This is a position-based recruitment and will not result in any ongoing eligibility list. This recruitment and any selection processes resulting from this recruitment may be used to fill other related vacancies within the organization now or in the near future.
How To Apply
Apply online by completing the required information and attaching, as one document, your cover letter and resume. Please include your experience as it relates to the qualifications stated above. Only the highest qualified may be posted to the eligible to hire list. The results of the resume screening process will be sent to your primary email address.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP
Project Management Assistant, JC:08630, ID# 59447, 11/24/25, USM, WES, Benefits:007, Q
Building the Phoenix of tomorrow.
#DoWorkThatMakesPhoenixWork
City of Phoenix is an equal opportunity employer. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni who meet the required qualifications are encouraged to apply.
The City of Phoenix Office of Heat Response and Mitigation is charged with establishing and implementing a cohesive strategy to address the growing hazard of urban heat in the nation's hottest large city. The office develops plans and programs that include short-term strategies to protect public health during extreme heat events and long-term strategies to create a cooler, safer, and more comfortable city for all. This position is funded by a philanthropic grant and will be hired as a Project Management Assistant in the City's job classification system.
The Office of Heat Response and Mitigation seeks an Urban Forestry Business Engagement Specialist to advance goals and actions in the recently adopted Shade Phoenix Plan. The successful candidate will be responsible for helping to design and implement new programs and processes that accelerate business-facing tree and shade initiatives, including those related to education, engagement, and code compliance. The position will be housed in the Office of Heat Response and Mitigation and will be expected to work collaboratively with other city departments, including Neighborhood Services, Sustainability, and Planning and Development.
Specific duties for this position include: (1) serving as an educational resource for the local business community, providing information about tree species selection, maintenance strategies, water resources, and other key factors; (2) working with city departments to implement new processes that more proactively promote business compliance with tree and shade requirements in city code; (3) using GIS and mapping tools to prioritize needs and opportunities for business engagement, and; 4) recognizing exemplary shade projects on private property.
This is a temporary position funded by a grant intended to run through December 31, 2026, with the possibility of being made regular in a future budget cycle. The temporary position will have benefits but will not earn city retirement credits or participate financially in the city's retirement program. If the successful candidate is a current City employee, all benefits will still be applicable, and the employee will still contribute to their pension. Temporary positions are not covered under civil service rules, and thus employment is considered "at-will", and employees may be separated at any time.
IDEAL CANDIDATE
- Knowledgeable about urban forestry and able to serve as an educational resource for the local business community, providing information about tree species selection, maintenance strategies, water resources, and other factors.
- Familiarity with community urban forestry or sustainability initiatives.
- Ability to develop and maintain compelling outreach and education materials.
- Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret a wide range of data sets relevant to urban forestry using GIS software and related tools.
- Enthusiastic about working collaboratively with city departments and other stakeholders to review, improve, and implement new processes that increase compliance with city code.
- Ability to use GIS tools and access and analyze relevant data sets to prioritize needs and opportunities for business engagement.
- Passionate about increasing tree canopy coverage throughout the City of Phoenix.
Pay Range: $60,028.80 - $97,780.80 annually.
Hiring Range: $60,028.80 - $80,454.40 annually
Pay Range Explanation
- Pay range is the entire compensation range for the position classification.
- Hiring range is an estimate of where you can receive an offer. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and internal equity.
- Promotions occur when the last two digits of the pay grade increase.
- Demotions occur when the last two digits of the pay grade decrease.
- Lateral transfers occur when there is no change to the last two digits of the pay grade.
- When there is a change in the first digit of the pay grade, there may also be a change to your classification or unit.
The pay grade and classification/unit of your current position may be found by looking up your job title on the job description page .
Benefits
A comprehensive benefits package is offered which includes:
- Traditional pension with employer and employee contributions, click here for more details: Pension Information .
- 401(a) and 457 plans with employer contributions.
- Choice of generous medical HMO, PPO, or HSA/HDHP plans.
- Medical enrollment includes a monthly $150 City contribution to a Post-Employment Health Plan.
- Wellness incentive of up to $720 annually.
- Dental, vision, and life insurance options.
- Employer paid long-term disability.
- Free Bus/light rail pass.
- Tuition reimbursement program up to $6,500 per year.
- Paid time off includes 13.5 paid holidays, 12 vacation days, and 15 sick days and personal leave days.
- Paid Parental Leave for eligible employees up to 480 hours (12 weeks) of paid leave for the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child during a 12-month period.
- Federal Student Loan Forgiveness offered through Savi .
Minimum Qualifications
- Two years of experience in governmental research, urban development, finance or public administration, or a related field.
- Bachelor's degree in public or business administration, urban planning, architecture, engineering, economics, or a related field.
- Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum requirements may be substituted.
- All finalists for positions are subject to a criminal background check applicable to the department or position.
- Some positions require the use of personal or City vehicles on City business. Individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicles safely, possess a valid driver's license and have an acceptable driving record. Use of a personal vehicle for City business will be prohibited if the employee is not authorized to drive a City vehicle or if the employee does not have personal insurance coverage.
- For information regarding pre-screening and driving positions, click here .
- The City job description can be found here .
The minimum qualifications listed above, plus:
- Experience working in a collaborative team environment.
- Experience conducting community outreach and education efforts.
- Experience working with businesses on environmental or public health topics.
- Experience in the Sonoran Desert or similar climate zones.
- Proficiency in Spanish.
Recruitment closes December 8, 2025. All materials must be received by 11:59 p.m. on this date.
This is a position-based recruitment and will not result in any ongoing eligibility list. This recruitment and any selection processes resulting from this recruitment may be used to fill other related vacancies within the organization now or in the near future.
How To Apply
Apply online by completing the required information and attaching, as one document, your cover letter and resume. Please include your experience as it relates to the qualifications stated above. Only the highest qualified may be posted to the eligible to hire list. The results of the resume screening process will be sent to your primary email address.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP
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- If you require assistance at any stage of the application process due to an accessibility issue, please contact the Human Resources Department by phone at (602) 495-5700 or by text at (800) 367-8939 . You may also fill out and submit a Reasonable Accommodation Request Form .
Project Management Assistant, JC:08630, ID# 59447, 11/24/25, USM, WES, Benefits:007, Q
Building the Phoenix of tomorrow.
#DoWorkThatMakesPhoenixWork
City of Phoenix is an equal opportunity employer. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni who meet the required qualifications are encouraged to apply.
Salary : $60,029 - $97,781
