The cities of Burien and SeaTac are recruiting paid Forest Stewards to help restore and maintain local parks through yearlong environmental stewardship commitments.
The paid positions call for participants to commit to about seven hours of work per month, or roughly 21 hours per quarter, removing invasive species, planting native vegetation and optionally leading community events in a park of their choice.
Participants who qualify will receive $500 each quarter and a $600 training and gear stipend, along with tools, materials and onsite training in restoration ecology, according to the recruitment flyers.
In Burien, Forest Stewards may work in parks such as Arbor Lake Park, Hilltop Park, Salmon Creek Park and Salmon Creek Ravine as part of the Green Burien Partnership, which focuses on environmental restoration and community engagement. Recruitment materials note that stewards adopt a park and receive training, tools and materials to carry out restoration work with friends, family and neighbors.
In SeaTac, the Green City Partnership trains Forest Stewards to restore green spaces throughout the city and may provide support for those interested in leading events tied to park restoration efforts.
Applicants are expected to be interested in plants, parks and the environment, live near priority parks and be able to perform physical activities such as bending, lifting up to 25 pounds and walking on uneven ground. Materials also state that participants should be 18 or older or accompanied by an adult and comfortable communicating in English.
Training sessions for SeaTac’s program are scheduled for late March, and the project is funded through the USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program administered by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources Urban and Community Forestry Program, according to the flyer.
How to Apply
Residents interested in applying for Burien steward positions should click here, while SeaTac applicants are encouraged to click here.
