What are the responsibilities and job description for the Volunteer (Non-Paid) Position - Portland Parks Board position at City of Portland?
The Position
APPLY HERE: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/5edf68d368a84106b5f005ada26df078
Portland Parks & Recreation’s (PP&R) mission is to provide equitable access to welcoming places, programs, and services that improve community health and our environment. In 2020, PP&R reimagined the way we work. We put underserved communities at the center of our process and committed to an ongoing, iterative cycle of improvement that will transform the way we make decisions and get things done. You can read the first Healthy Parks, Healthy Portland report here .
PP&R cares for and maintains more than 11,000 acres of lands and offers thousands of programs for all ages at its community centers, swimming pools, and other recreation facilities. It is a premier City of Portland Bureau that depends on a workforce of 627 permanent employees, 2,948 part-time and seasonal employees, and over 6,000 volunteers. The Portland Parks Board provides support, advocacy and guidance for the overall parks system.
The Portland Parks & Recreation Board advocates for parks on a city and regional basis to ensure that parks, natural areas, open spaces, and recreation facilities are advanced in planning and design. The PP&R Board provides a forum for public discussion and decision-making about park issues, bringing a citywide and long-term perspective to neighborhood-based issues.
As a result of City Charter reform, the City of Portland is currently undergoing reorganization and governance restructuring. This transition may result in future changes to the functionality and purpose of the PP&R Board.
Committee Activities Include
Number of seats available: 5
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.
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. All meetings are hybrid with options to tune in virtually or in-person. Snacks and beverages will be provided at evening meetings. Public transportation or parking passes will be available if you need those to fully participate.
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
Applications are due by 11:59pm on Sunday, April 20, 2025
APPLY HERE: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/5edf68d368a84106b5f005ada26df078
To talk with someone about this opportunity or to receive assistance completing the application, please contact the advisory body staff liaison at michelle.tran@portlandoregon.gov or 971-865-1878.
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 and Parks Board .
Do you have questions or need more information? Email michelle.tran@portlandoregon.gov or 971-865-1878.
APPLY HERE: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/5edf68d368a84106b5f005ada26df078
Portland Parks & Recreation’s (PP&R) mission is to provide equitable access to welcoming places, programs, and services that improve community health and our environment. In 2020, PP&R reimagined the way we work. We put underserved communities at the center of our process and committed to an ongoing, iterative cycle of improvement that will transform the way we make decisions and get things done. You can read the first Healthy Parks, Healthy Portland report here .
PP&R cares for and maintains more than 11,000 acres of lands and offers thousands of programs for all ages at its community centers, swimming pools, and other recreation facilities. It is a premier City of Portland Bureau that depends on a workforce of 627 permanent employees, 2,948 part-time and seasonal employees, and over 6,000 volunteers. The Portland Parks Board provides support, advocacy and guidance for the overall parks system.
The Portland Parks & Recreation Board advocates for parks on a city and regional basis to ensure that parks, natural areas, open spaces, and recreation facilities are advanced in planning and design. The PP&R Board provides a forum for public discussion and decision-making about park issues, bringing a citywide and long-term perspective to neighborhood-based issues.
As a result of City Charter reform, the City of Portland is currently undergoing reorganization and governance restructuring. This transition may result in future changes to the functionality and purpose of the PP&R Board.
Committee Activities Include
- Advise the Council, the Commissioner and the Director on policy matters pertaining to PP&R. The Board does not have decision making authority.
- Uphold and incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives into Board and City work
- Participate in the preparation and contents of the PP&R annual budget
- Review and advocate on plans and policies, either existing or being developed, city- or region- wide, that affect parks and recreation in the City of Portland
- Attend PP&R events and celebrations
- Prepare and submit an annual report to the City Council which summarizes the Board’s activities during the year and identifies the major issues facing PP&R along with the Board’s recommendations for addressing them in the coming year
Number of seats available: 5
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.
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.
- Members should demonstrate a commitment to Portland Parks and Recreation and to the mission of the Board.
- You believe government is better when community is involved
- 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 are available to attend all meetings and participate in the discussions
- Ability to bring a system-wide perspective to the Board while striving to not represent individual interests or areas of the City.
- The membership of the Board shall strive to reflect the demographic and geographic diversity of the City.
- Monthly meetings will take place on the second Tuesday of the month from 5-7pm with additional sub-committee work outside of that meeting time. Meetings will take place via Zoom and/or the Portland Building (1120 SW 5 th Ave) or other locations as determined by the Parks Board and Parks Leadership.
- Members serve terms of 3 years with a limit of 2 consecutive terms.
- Members are expected to prepare for meetings on their own time. Arrive ready to discuss meeting materials and agenda items. Meeting materials for review are typically sent one week in advance, but they may be sent with minimal time to review, potentially as few as 24 hours in advance.
- Members are expected to serve on at least one working group outside of the regular monthly Board meetings.
- The anticipated time commitment per month is 12 hours.
Let us know if there are barriers to your participation. All meetings are hybrid with options to tune in virtually or in-person. Snacks and beverages will be provided at evening meetings. Public transportation or parking passes will be available if you need those to fully participate.
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
Applications are due by 11:59pm on Sunday, April 20, 2025
APPLY HERE: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/5edf68d368a84106b5f005ada26df078
To talk with someone about this opportunity or to receive assistance completing the application, please contact the advisory body staff liaison at michelle.tran@portlandoregon.gov or 971-865-1878.
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 and Parks Board .
Do you have questions or need more information? Email michelle.tran@portlandoregon.gov or 971-865-1878.
