What are the responsibilities and job description for the Planning and Sustainability Director (Director II) position at American Planning Association Washington Chapter?

J ob Appointment : Full-time. This position is exempt from Civil Service and is an "At Will" position. It serves at the discretion of the hiring authority, subject to the City of Portland Human Resources Administrative Rules and the Portland City Charter and Code.

Work Schedule : Monday – Friday, 8 am-5 pm. Work hours will vary to meet business needs.

Work Location : Hybrid; at least 50 percent of work hours to be conducted in-office, and up to (or no more than) 50 percent remote. In-person work is to be conducted at the Vanport Building, located at 1810 SW 5th Avenue, 7th floor. Remote work must be performed within Oregon or Washington. For more information, click here .

Benefits : Please check our benefits tab for an overview of the benefits of this position.

Language Pay Premium : This position may be eligible for Language Pay Differential for qualifying employees.

Application Material : Please click APPLY to submit your application via the City of Portland’s online portal. You will need to attach a c over letter, resume, and an equity statement.

About the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability :

The Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS) oversees a world-renowned waste and recycling system and leads the country in its commitment to digital equity , open data, and protecting communities in the application of technologies . Staff collaborate with partners on neighborhood, economic, historic, and environmental planning and provide research, policy, and technical services to advance energy efficiency and renewable energy , as well as policies and actions to address climate change . The bureau also oversees the innovative Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF).

For more information, please visit the Planning and Sustainability website.

About the BPS Director Position :

The City of Portland is seeking a dynamic, visionary, and strategic leader to serve as the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS) Director. This is an exciting opportunity to lead the City’s efforts in long-range planning and community development, with a strong emphasis on racial, economic, and climate justice.

As the Director, you will provide strategic leadership for BPS’s broad portfolio of work including long-range planning, climate action, waste management, community technology and digital equity, and the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF) a landmark initiative that invests in clean energy, green jobs, and climate resilience, particularly for historically marginalized communities.

The Director will guide a high-performing team of professionals (approximately 145 FTE) and collaborate with City leaders, especially within the Community and Economic Development Service Area, community organizations, other jurisdictions, and external stakeholders in a rapidly changing and politically dynamic environment. The Director will lead a team of six (6) direct reports and manage a budget of over $150 million to ensure Portland remains a national leader in climate action and continues to foster equitable economic opportunities and social justice for all Portlanders.

Essential Competencies for Success :

Visionary Leadership : Sets a clear and compelling vision for the bureau, driving transformative change with a focus on embedding, sustainability, climate action, and equity into all policies and practices. Promotes and maintains a culture of collaboration and innovation.
Equity and Inclusion : Brings a deep, demonstrated commitment to racial equity and social and environmental justice, with a proven track record of advancing equity in community planning, policy, and resource allocation, including a focus on systemic racism and its impacts on marginalized communities.
Political Acumen : Navigates complex political landscapes, balancing diverse stakeholder interests and building consensus across political, community, and business sectors to advance progressive policies. Skilled in building and leveraging relationships with elected officials, advocacy groups, and government agencies to secure resources, influence policy decisions, and drive systemic change in alignment with long-term sustainability, equity, and climate-action goals.
Strategic Thinking : Strategically balances short-term priorities with long-term goals for sustainability, community development, and climate resilience.
Accountability and Transparency : Prioritizes transparency and demonstrates measurable outcomes through publicly accessible data.
Innovation and Problem-Solving : Ability to innovate and find creative solutions to complex urban and environmental challenges including leveraging public-private partnerships and exploring entrepreneurial funding tools.
Operational Excellence : Uses executive management skills to ensure the bureau operates efficiently and delivers results within budget and on schedule.
Strategic Communication : Communicates effectively and presents complex issues to diverse audiences with clarity, integrity, and presence. Represents the City in public settings and advocates for the bureau’s priorities at local, regional, and national levels.

These values guide our actions as we serve the community and engage our workforce. To learn more about the City's core values, please click here .

Questions? Please contact :

Jaclyn Snyder, Senior Recruiter, or Amanda Hillebrecht, Senior Recruiter

Bureau of Human Resources

Jaclyn.Snyder@portlandoregon.gov, Amanda.Hillebrecht@portlandoregon.gov

Applicants should specifically address and demonstrate in their cover letter and résumé how their education, training, and / or experience meet each of the following minimum qualifications :

Experience leading and managing large, complex, and customer-focused planning, climate, community technology, waste and recycling, social justice, and / or community development initiatives, with a proven track record in overseeing financial administration and regulatory functions in both the public and private sectors.

Experience addressing social, political, economic, and environmental issues impacting urban planning and sustainability, and successfully developing long-range strategic plans and goals that incorporate climate resilience, social, racial, and economic justice, and community development.

Experience developing and maintaining effective relationships with communities of color, underserved populations, elected officials, community leaders, and internal stakeholders, ensuring inclusive participation and valuing diverse perspectives in decision-making processes.

Experience developing innovative programs and leveraging public-private partnerships and resources to advance sustainability and urban planning goals, fostering community revitalization, economic growth, and environmental justice.

Experience managing, coaching, and retaining a diverse workforce, while advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in organizational culture and community engagement efforts, ensuring compliance with laws, policies, and performance standards.

Knowledge of community and economic development principles, with the ability to assess the broader economic impact of city policies and regulations and implement strategies to foster community revitalization and long-term growth.

Although not required, you may have :

Bachelor’s degree and at least ten (10) years of increasingly responsible management experience in urban planning, environmental science, public administration, or a closely related field.

STEP 1 : Apply online between Monday, November 25 , 2024 – Monday, January 6, 2025

Required Application Materials :

Resume

Cover Letter

Details are key! The City uses a merit-based system, so your cover letter should be thorough and specifically address each qualification listed in the "To Qualify" section of the job announcement. Your cover letter can exceed one page to ensure you are able to provide detailed information for every qualification. Follow the instructions, as a subject matter expert will be evaluating your details to confirm that you meet the minimum requirements.

Answer to three (3) Supplemental Questions (click on the Questions tab to preview the questions)

Equity Statement

In addition to providing a cover letter / resume, please submit a separate equity statement outlining your commitment and track record to diversity, equity and inclusion. Experiences may include, but are not limited to the following :

Lived experience as a member of an underrepresented group.

Experience living, working and meaningfully interacting with individuals with a variety of identities.

Track record of instilling equity and inclusion within operations.

If your experiences are different from those listed and you have a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, please explain how you will manifest that commitment in this position.

Equity Commitment :

For those applicants who meet the qualifications of this position, in accordance with the adoption of the Charles Jordan Standard and the City of Portland's commitment to equity, the highest qualified minority candidate, highest qualified woman, and highest qualified candidate who identifies as a person with a disability will be included in the final interview process. To be considered under the Charles Jordan Standard, we will be asking applicants who meet the qualifications for this position to include information identifying their status as a minority, woman, and / or identification as an individual with a disability in the required equity statement.

Please see the City's Charles Jordan Standard Portland Resolution No. 37180 for more information

Optional Application Materials :

Veteran documents to request for Veteran Preference (ex, DD214-Member 4, VA Benefit Letter, etc.)

Application Tips :

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 resume should support the details described in your cover letter.

How We DeterminePay : The City of Portland is covered by the Oregon EqualPayAct . Your salary is determined based on the experience listed in your resume that is directly related and equivalent to the position for which you are applying. It is strongly encouraged to include any transferable experience (paid or unpaid regardless of how recent) to ensure your offer is reflective of all your relevant experience.

Do not attach materials not requested.

All completed applications for this position must be submitted no later than the closing date and time of this recruitment.

All applications must be submitted via the City's online application process. E-mailed and / or faxed applications will not be accepted.

You can use AI tools to assist with your job application, but please make sure to personalize your responses to supplemental questions. Avoid copying and pasting; instead, use AI to generate ideas and then tailor them to reflect your own experiences and skills.

Step 2 : Minimum Qualification Evaluation : Week of January 6, 2025

An evaluation of each applicant's training and paid and unpaid experience, as demonstrated in their resume and cover letter, weighted 100%.

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

You have 14 days from the notice of the minimum qualification evaluation results to let us know if you like to review and discuss your evaluation result. Please read the City of Portland Administrative Rule 3.01 for complete information.

Additional evaluation may be required before the establishment of the eligible list and / or final selection.

Step 3 : Establishment of Eligible List : Week of January 6, 2025

Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on the equally ranked eligible list.

Step 4 : Selection (Interview) : January / February 2025

The hiring bureau will review applications, select candidates to interview, and conduct interviews.

There are likely multiple rounds of interviews for this director-level position.

Step 5 : Offer of Employment : March / April 2025

Step 6 : Start Date : April 2025

A start date will be determined after all conditions of employment have been met.

Timeline is approximate and subject to change

Click here for additional information regarding the following :

Veteran Preference

ADA, Pregnancy, and Religious Accommodations

Work Status

Equal Employment Opportunity

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