Program Manager - Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (Closes 3/11)

The Program Manager will lead the design, development and ultimate implementation of the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund program. Initial responsibilities include overseeing the establishment of the committee responsible for making program and funding recommendations, hiring program staff and managing consulting contracts. Subsequent efforts will include leading the process to design the program, including establishing: decision-making processes, grantmaking procedures, communications materials, capacity building resources and trainings, community engagement programs, and accountability mechanisms and policies. Ultimately, the Program Manager will be responsible for the implementation of the program, including managing budgets, staff, grants, contracts, performance measurement, auditing, reporting and other activities necessary to deliver a successful program that meets the goals outlined in the founding ballot initiative.

The ideal candidate will have successfully delivered complex programs and/or projects. Experience managing large grants, granting programs, or similarly complex financial transactions is a plus. Knowledge and experience working in the fields of energy efficiency, renewable energy and/or workforce development is desired. The ideal candidate will also have experience working on multi-stakeholder or multi-sectoral initiatives or projects, as well as managing staff in those environments. Because the Portland Clean Energy Fund is committed to delivering meaningful benefits to Portland's low-income populations and communities of color, the ideal candidate will have a deep analysis and understanding of racism and other forms of systemic oppression, a demonstrated interest in advancing equity, and experience collaborating with and serving these frontline communities.

General Duties:

  1. Establish, collaborate with and supervise a staff team of approximately three or more staff responsible for planning, development, implementation and evaluation of program activities.

  2. Oversee community engagement, outreach, and capacity building with a focus on low-income communities and communities of color (frontline communities).  

  3. Lead the development of standard practices and procedures for program activities and functions, including establishing performance goals, tracking and reporting on progress, and ensuring compliance with good governance practices and policies.

  4. Develop specific, consistent, culturally appropriate opportunities for Portlanders to access and influence implementation decision-making, with an emphasis on frontline communities.

  5. Act as a liaison between various City bureaus and City Council offices that are key to the program's success, actively collaborate with external partners and stakeholders, and track and engage with program-related State legislative issues.

  6. Ensure consistent and transparent dissemination of information, enhance messaging to increase public awareness of the program and its mission and goals, and manage media relations.

  7. Oversee the management and facilitation of the Portland Clean Energy Fund Grant Committee and ensure the deliberations of the committee are transparent, accessible to the public and in the best interest of the frontline communities the program is meant to serve.


For more information about this position, please see "Additional Background" below.

About the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability:

The Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS) develops creative and practical solutions to enhance Portland's livability, preserve distinctive places and plan for a resilient future. We are committed to advancing equity as a means of achieving prosperous, healthy, resilient communities. Fore more about us, please visit: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/ 

The Bureau of Planning and Sustainability values a diverse workforce and seeks ways to promote equity and inclusion within the organization. BPS encourages candidates with knowledge, ability and experience working with a broad range of individuals and diverse communities to apply. Although not required, BPS encourages candidates that can fluently speak more than one language to include that information in your resume.

To Qualify

The following minimum qualifications are required for this position:

  1. Ability to collaborate and co-create with communities of color and people traditionally under-represented in local decision-making; facilitate inclusive participation in programs and activities; communicate cross-culturally.

  2. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with other City managers and staff, representatives of other government agencies, the public and others encountered in the course of work.

  3. Ability to communicate clearly, logically and persuasively, both verbally and in writing; prepare concise and comprehensive reports, correspondence and other documents.

  4. Ability to analyze complex or technical issues or problems, evaluate alternatives and recommend policies, strategies and effective courses of action.

  5. Ability to analyze, interpret, explain and apply relevant laws, regulations, ordinances, policies and procedures.

The Recruitment Process

An evaluation of each applicant's training and experience, as demonstrated in their resume and cover letter weighted 100%. Do not attach materials not requested. Only candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on the equally ranked eligible list. You have 14 days from the notice of the examination results to let us know if you disagree with your results. Please read the City of Portland Administrative Rule 3.01 for complete information. Additional evaluation may be required prior to establishment of the eligible list and/or final selection.
 
Recruitment Schedule:

  • Job Posting: 2/25/19 to 3/11/19

  • Applications Reviewed: 3/20/19 - 3/29/19

  • Eligible List / Notices Generated: week of 4/1/19

  • 1st Round of Interviews: 4/15/19

  • 2nd Round of Interviews (if needed): 4/29/19

  • Job Offer: May 2019

*Timeline is approximate and subject to change

Additional Information

Applicant Instructions

Applicants must submit a cover letter, professional résumé and answer all required supplemental questions, specifically focused on your qualifications for this position as identified in the "To Qualify" section of this announcement in accordance with the following Application Instructions:

  • Your résumé and cover letter will be the basis for our evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Incomplete or inappropriate information may result in disqualification.

  • Your cover letter should include details describing your education, training and/or experience, and where obtained which clearly reflects your qualifications for each of the numbered items in the "To Qualify" section of this announcement.

  • Your résumé should support the details described in your cover letter.

  • If you are requesting Veteran's Preference, as identified below, please describe in your answers to the supplemental questions any transferable skills obtained during your military service and how they relate to each of the required minimum qualifications under the "To Qualify" section above.

Your résumé and cover letter should be no more than a total of four (4) pages. Do not attach materials not requested.

All completed applications for this position must be submitted online no later than 11:59 pm, on the closing date of this recruitment.  E-mailed and/or faxed applications will not be accepted.

If you are requesting Veteran's Preference, attach a copy of your DD214 / DD215 and / or Veteran's Administration letter stating your disability to your profile, as well as checking the box identifying yourself as a Veteran. You must request Veteran's Preference AND include a copy of your documentation for each recruitment you apply for.

Veteran's Preference documentation must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM on the closing date of this recruitment.

Non-citizen applicants must be authorized to work in the United States at time of application.

It is the policy of the City of Portland that no person shall be discriminated against based on race, religion, color, sex, marital status, family status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or source of income. The City values diversity and encourages everyone who is interested in employment with the City to apply. If you wish to identify yourself as an individual with a disability under the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 and will be requesting accommodation, the requests must be made to the Recruiter named below No Later Than the Closing Date of This Announcement.


Additional Background:
The Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund is the first-ever clean energy fund for climate justice in the nation and marks the first environmental initiative created and led by communities of color in Oregon. The result of a ballot initiative that was passed by Portland voters in November of 2018 (Measure 26-201), the Portland Clean Energy Fund represents an estimated $30 million in new annual revenue for clean energy and clean energy jobs in Portland.

Nonprofit organizations, alone or in partnership with for-profit companies, schools and/or other government agencies, can apply for grants from this revenue to weatherize homes, install solar and other renewable energy projects, provide job and contractor training, expand local food production and build green infrastructure in Portland. The revenue is raised by a new 1% business licensing surcharge on the Portland revenue generated by retail corporations with over $1 billion in annual revenue from retail sales and at least $500,000 in revenue from retail sales in Portland. Revenue from groceries and medicine are exempted.

The Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund has a fundamental commitment to Portlanders who are most impacted by climate change but have been excluded from the emerging low-carbon economy: low-income people and people of color. At least 50% of grant-funded energy efficiency/renewable energy projects "should specifically benefit low-income residents and communities of color;" and at least 20% of all grants "shall be awarded to nonprofit organizations with a mission and track record of programs that benefit economically disadvantaged community members."  For more information about the program visit: www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/CleanEnergyFund
 Questions? 
John DiGrazia, Senior Recruiter
Bureau of Human Resources
John.DiGrazia@portlandoregon.gov
(503) 823-4034