Site Stewardship Contract Opportunity

Depave is developing a new site stewardship model based on organizing local communities of care around our past sites, green schoolyards, and community hubs. In 2026 we plan to pilot this approach and are offering an initial contract while we continue to build the program and develop full funding.

To be considered for this contract send a resume, brief statement explaining your qualifications to conduct the contract, and 3 references to admin@depave.org before March 1st. Preference given to earlier applicants. We strongly encourage LGBTQIA, Black, Latino, Indigenous, and other applicants of color, people with disabilities, and other members of historically marginalized groups to submit proposals.

Timing

Initial 6 month contract, ideally starting March 2026.

Depending on funding, Depave may offer a contract extension or advertise a staff position with the organization, to be determined in advance of contract close date.

Procurement Policy

This contract is subject to Depave’s procurement policies including all applicable legislation or relevant grant guidance including anti-discrimination, prevailing wage, conflict of interest, etc.

Compensation & Payment

This initial contract is designed for an estimated workload of 30 hrs per week for 6 months, at an estimated $40/hr total or around $28,800. Contractor to invoice Depave monthly with report of work completed toward deliverables. This is an independent contract opportunity, not a staff position and does not include benefits or insurance (see IRS definitions).

Goals of work

• Help pilot Depave’s new community stewardship model by organizing neighborhood volunteer, workforce development, corporate/business, and partner capacity to help fulfill site maintenance plans for Depave’s green schoolyard and other community sites.
• Help Depave refine, assess, and develop this program as we develop full funding.
• Improve and maintain living, green infrastructure and other enhancements at our depaved sites in a way that incorporates the arts, strengthens local community, and decreases social isolation.

Scope/Deliverables:

Work with Depave staff and/or Site Stewardship Committee to:

• Help refine new program goals, communications, and assessment metrics.
• Provide site specific organizing that keeps local stakeholders on track with clearly communicated volunteer opportunities and site tending.
• Maintain, strengthen, and grow our organizational relationships within Portland’s frontline, underserved, or disadvantaged communities.
• Work with volunteers and site hosts to help develop or refine annual monitoring and maintenance plans for participating sites as needed.
• Conduct landscape maintenance with volunteers which may include some heavy lifting.
• Support and connect with school leadership, PTAs, and facilities to identify needs and plan greenspace maintenance.
• Manage agreements with partner organizations to match workforce development crews to site maintenance plans.
• Cultivate long-term relationships with local businesses, neighbors, tenant associations, as well as corporate volunteers, nonprofits, and service organizations to plug these groups into our joint maintenance plans via tailored volunteer planting and maintenance events.
• Continue our partnerships with Urban Forestry, Friends of Trees, and others to match resources to green schoolyard sites.
• Create event programming at green schoolyard sites that draws on music and the arts to attract diverse audiences into our volunteer program.
• Update and improve mapping/database of Depave sites and data.
• Use Neon One CRM and any necessary software to manage and track volunteer participation and events.

No benefits