What are the responsibilities and job description for the Volunteer (Non-Paid) Position - Building Code Board of Appeal position at City of Portland?
The Position
APPLY HERE: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/730f04f2e1844ed69b5658356cadd247
The Building Code Board of Appeal is a three-person advisory body that reviews appeals from architects, builders and developers who disagree with decisions made by city building official and/or the Administrative Board of Appeals to require changes to construction plans or proposed alternate methods to meet state and local building codes. The Board meets with the appellants and City building officials to discuss ideas and concerns with proposed construction plans and issue rulings on whether to uphold the decisions of the Administrative Appeals Board, which provides an initial review of contested building proposals, or allow an initial development proposal to proceed, either as-is or with minor changes.
Number of seats available : 1 member seat and 3 alternate seats
To Qualify
To be eligible for the advisory committee, members must live, play, worship, go to school, work or do business in the City of Portland.
There are three member positions and three alternates on the Board. Members must be a registered architect or builder or a member of the public at-large who is qualified, by experience and training, to make decisions on matters pertaining to building code issues. Alternates may be called on to serve in the absence of a regular member.
What We Look For
We want people from every part of Portland here to share their voice on this committee, especially people who have not been involved before. If you want to serve your community and to help government make better choices, then we want to see your application. The attributes listed below are what will guide our selection process. It is helpful if you are specific in your answers. We do not expect you to be or have everything listed.
Let us know if there are barriers to your participation.
Volunteer Ethics
People who join this committee will become what we call “Public Officials,” which means that while you serve you must behave fair and ethically. We will provide training on this once you are accepted. Part of following Public Officials Ethics laws means you must tell the group when you or a relative may financially benefit (or avoid fees) by your recommendations. This is called a “Conflict of Interest.” If you tell us about potential Conflicts of Interest that does not mean you cannot serve, in fact, many committees have potential members with Conflicts of Interest. We appreciate your ethical inclusion of possible Conflicts of Interest on the form included in the application.
The Recruitment Process
APPLY HERE: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/730f04f2e1844ed69b5658356cadd247
Applications are due by 11:59pm on Sunday, April 27, 2025.
To talk with someone about this opportunity or to receive assistance completing the application, please contact the advisory body staff liaison, Natalie Didion, at natalie.didion@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-8627.
Voluntary & Confidential Demographic Information
The City is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equity. Completing the demographic information on the application is voluntary, but we encourage you to provide that information. The City uses this information to help ensure that advisory body appointments represent a broad cross-section of community. Your information will not be used during the recruitment nor the selection process. State and federal law prohibit use of this information to discriminate against you. Questions about this may be sent to AdvisoryBodies@Portlandoregon.gov
General Questions
For general questions about the Advisory Bodies program, the volunteer recruitment process, or other upcoming advisory body opportunities please email AdvisoryBodies@Portlandoregon.gov .
We Encourage You to Apply
We welcome you to browse our website to learn more about the bureau. About the Building Code Board of Appeal | Portland.gov
Do you have questions or need more information? Email Natalie Didion, at natalie.didion@portlandoregon.gov or call 503-823-8627.
Additional Information
Meeting Location
Meetings are currently held via Zoom.
APPLY HERE: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/730f04f2e1844ed69b5658356cadd247
The Building Code Board of Appeal is a three-person advisory body that reviews appeals from architects, builders and developers who disagree with decisions made by city building official and/or the Administrative Board of Appeals to require changes to construction plans or proposed alternate methods to meet state and local building codes. The Board meets with the appellants and City building officials to discuss ideas and concerns with proposed construction plans and issue rulings on whether to uphold the decisions of the Administrative Appeals Board, which provides an initial review of contested building proposals, or allow an initial development proposal to proceed, either as-is or with minor changes.
- Committee activities include: Advise on
- Assist with development of
- Provide input to staff about
- Review plans on
- Provide feedback on the prioritization of work in future phases
Number of seats available : 1 member seat and 3 alternate seats
To Qualify
To be eligible for the advisory committee, members must live, play, worship, go to school, work or do business in the City of Portland.
There are three member positions and three alternates on the Board. Members must be a registered architect or builder or a member of the public at-large who is qualified, by experience and training, to make decisions on matters pertaining to building code issues. Alternates may be called on to serve in the absence of a regular member.
What We Look For
We want people from every part of Portland here to share their voice on this committee, especially people who have not been involved before. If you want to serve your community and to help government make better choices, then we want to see your application. The attributes listed below are what will guide our selection process. It is helpful if you are specific in your answers. We do not expect you to be or have everything listed.
- You believe government is better when community is involved
- You have an interest in effective, equitable application of building codes.
- You are an advocate for racial equity: you want positive and long-lasting outcomes for racial and ethnic communities who have been left out before. You can bring discussion about racial and ethnic communities who need it the most.
- You believe in the value of public participation in government processes.
- You can work collaboratively and effectively with people representing diverse interests.
- You are available to attend all meetings and participate in the discussions.
- You have a perspective on navigating the community as a person with a disability.
- You are a competent architect who has practiced their profession for at least three years.?
- You are a competent builder who has engaged in the construction business in the City of Portland for at least two years.
- The Building Code Board of Appeal meets on an as-needed basis as appeals are received. When it meets, it usually meets on the morning of the second Thursday of the month. Individual meetings typically last no longer than two hours.
- Meetings may be held in City offices at 1900 SW 4th Avenue or online via Zoom. All meetings of the Board are open to the public.
- Members serve a term of three years with the possibility of renewing for a second three-year term.
- We provide interpreters who will translate the conversation in your language during the meeting. Please ask for an interpreter at least a week in advance of the meeting so we have enough time to make arrangements.
- You may need to read and write in your language. Verbal and written translations are performed by outside organizations. The dialects may be different than your home region and may be different on each document.
- We try to translate the written materials you ask for, but we may not be able to provide translation on all meeting documents.
- Members are expected to prepare for meetings on their own time. Meeting materials for review may be sent with minimal time to review, possibly as few as forty-eight hours (or two days) in advance.
Let us know if there are barriers to your participation.
Volunteer Ethics
People who join this committee will become what we call “Public Officials,” which means that while you serve you must behave fair and ethically. We will provide training on this once you are accepted. Part of following Public Officials Ethics laws means you must tell the group when you or a relative may financially benefit (or avoid fees) by your recommendations. This is called a “Conflict of Interest.” If you tell us about potential Conflicts of Interest that does not mean you cannot serve, in fact, many committees have potential members with Conflicts of Interest. We appreciate your ethical inclusion of possible Conflicts of Interest on the form included in the application.
The Recruitment Process
APPLY HERE: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/730f04f2e1844ed69b5658356cadd247
Applications are due by 11:59pm on Sunday, April 27, 2025.
To talk with someone about this opportunity or to receive assistance completing the application, please contact the advisory body staff liaison, Natalie Didion, at natalie.didion@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-8627.
Voluntary & Confidential Demographic Information
The City is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equity. Completing the demographic information on the application is voluntary, but we encourage you to provide that information. The City uses this information to help ensure that advisory body appointments represent a broad cross-section of community. Your information will not be used during the recruitment nor the selection process. State and federal law prohibit use of this information to discriminate against you. Questions about this may be sent to AdvisoryBodies@Portlandoregon.gov
General Questions
For general questions about the Advisory Bodies program, the volunteer recruitment process, or other upcoming advisory body opportunities please email AdvisoryBodies@Portlandoregon.gov .
We Encourage You to Apply
We welcome you to browse our website to learn more about the bureau. About the Building Code Board of Appeal | Portland.gov
Do you have questions or need more information? Email Natalie Didion, at natalie.didion@portlandoregon.gov or call 503-823-8627.
Additional Information
Meeting Location
Meetings are currently held via Zoom.
