Housing Available
Service Dates: September 22nd, 2026 to August 15th, 2027 (half term, 950 hours, 20 hours a week) Location: Sabin CDC, 4937 NE 20th Ave, Portland, OR 97211
Direct Supervisor: Larson Dana, Maintenance Energy Technician
Organization
Sabin CDC is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 1992. Sabin is dedicated to promoting social equity by enhancing the livability of culturally diverse neighborhoods in Portland. We strive to ensure long-term affordable rental and homeownership housing options. Our efforts primarily focus on supporting African American and Afro-Indigenous households adversely affected by gentrification, systemic oppression, and inequalities.
Position Overview:
As a key member of the Environmental Team, you will enhance and maintain residential green spaces across Sabin properties and nearby areas. This hands-on role combines environmental stewardship with community engagement, focusing on native plant promotion, sustainable landscaping practices, food security all with involvement of residents, volunteers, and community partners.
Key Responsibilities
● Propagation and Plant Health (30%): ○ Propagate Native and other wanted plants across Sabins’ 17 Properties
○ Ensure nursery plant health by monitoring root conditions, soil health, sufficient watering, and temperature regulation
○ Work with community partners and the wider community to obtain donations
● Track inventory, plant details, and Supplies (20%): ○ Keep track of incoming and outgoing nursery plants.
○ Track details of plants such as plant types, seasonal plant needs, and best planting times.
○ Keep track of supplies used for nursery plants and create budgets for needed supplies as necessary.
○ Manage seed libraries Sabin and partners maintain that are both exterior (public facing) and interior in a Sabin community center.
● Coordinate Plant Distribution (20%) ○ Collaborate with Resident Services team to engage residents’ interests in plants, as well as delivering plants to residents
○ Plants are also grown to be used for engagement activities at Sabin public events to benefit the wider community.
○ Support facilitating additional supplies to benefit residents in their gardening journey, such as seeds, soil, garden boxes, and tools.
● Residential Green Space Maintenance (10%) ○ Perform routine care and outdoor landscape tasks across all Sabin properties’.
○ Assist Environmental Livability volunteers with residential greenspace projects.
● Support Community Initiatives (5%):
○ Participate in programs such as Pass-It-On Days and Furnish-A-Change to enhance community sustainability.
● Environmental Education (10%): ○ Facilitate the creation of learning materials and opportunities to educate residents about eco-friendly practices and native plant life on Sabin properties’.
● Track and Report Outcomes (5%): ○ Document project progress, collect data, and submit regular reports to leadership.
Requirements
● Passion for working with people from diverse backgrounds
● Comfortable working outdoors in all weather
● Able to lift up to 30 lbs.
● Reliable, professional, and a team player
● Open to learning about equity and social justice
● Must be 18+, a U.S. citizen or legal resident, have a high school diploma/GED (or working toward one), and pass a background check
Preferred Skills
● Experience working with culturally diverse groups
● Good communication and organization skills
● Comfortable with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
● Driver’s license a plus
Member Benefits
● $10,200 living allowance (before taxes)
● $3,698 education award (for student loans or future education)
● Housing Potentially Provided
● Loan forbearance, health care, child care reimbursement
● Eligible for SNAP (food assistance)
● Training, mentorship, and networking opportunities with partners like SymbiOp Landscaping and Energy Trust of Oregon
● Participation in community events, Lunch & Learns, and skill-building workshops
