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Volunteer (Non-Paid) Position -- Design Commission

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Volunteer (Non-Paid) Position -- Design Commission

Salary

$0.00 Annually

Location

1900 SW 4th Ave, OR

Job Type

Volunteer

Remote Employment

Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number

V2025-00888

Bureau

Office of Community & Civic Life

Opening Date

10/10/2025

Closing Date

11/20/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

+ Description

+ Benefits

The Position

APPLY HERE: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/0199c5f50c5277ffb1f0564cf3955154

The Design Commission provides leadership and expertise on urban design and architecture and advances the purpose of the Design overlay zone. It supports development that builds on context, contributes to the public realm, and provides high quality and resilient buildings and public spaces. It also helps develop design guidelines for design districts and provides advice to other City Bureaus and Regional Government Partners.

Commission activities include:

+ Reviewing major developments within Design overlay zones;

+ Recommending the establishment, amendment, or removal of the Design overlay zone and design districts to the Planning Commission;

+ Recommending design guidelines for adoption by City Council;

+ Reviewing other land use requests assigned to the Design Commission; and

+ Providing advice on design matters to the Hearings Officer, Planning Commission, Historic Landmarks Commission, Portland Development Commission, City Council, and other City Bureaus or public agencies when necessary or requested.

Total number of advisory seats: 7

Number of seats available: 2

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.

The Portland Design Commission consists of seven members, none of whom may hold elective office. The Commission must include:

+ One person with public art experience;

+ One person representing the public at-large. The public-at-large member must not be employed in one of the areas of expertise listed in 3; and

+ Five members experienced in either urban planning, design, architecture, landscape architecture, natural resource management, sustainable building practices, engineering, financing, construction or management of buildings, or land development. No more than two members may be appointed from any one of these areas of expertise.

The person with the public art experience is nominated by the City Arts Program. All members are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council.

This recruitment closes November 20, 2025 and the City is seeking applications from those with public art experience or interest in urban planning, design, architecture, landscape architecture, natural resource management, sustainable building practices or land development professionals. One position will be open as of May 1, 2026. The other position will be open as of December 1, 2026.

You are available to attend regularly scheduled meetings and participate in the discussions.

+ You want to work collaboratively with applicants and agencies to serve the public good.

+ You are able to share opinions in a respectful manner.

Time Commitment

+ Bi-monthly hearings will take place on the 1st and 3rd Thursday afternoons of each month. Most meetings last between two and four hours each. Sometimes a meeting can last up to six hours and sometimes a third meeting is scheduled in a month due to volume. These are currently held via Zoom (internet connection and computer required). Eventually these may be held once again at 1900 SW 4th Avenue in Portland.

+ Members are appointed to a 4-year term, with members able to serve a maximum of two-full terms.

+ Members are expected to prepare for meetings on their own time. Meeting materials for review are typically sent about one week in advance.

We Remove Barriers

Let us know if there are barriers to your participation. When we return to in-person meetings, dinner will be provided if the meeting is expected to exceed 4 hours. Also, parking validation will be available if you park in the City’s parking garage.

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 appointed. 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/0199c5f50c5277ffb1f0564cf3955154

This recruitment is for two positions, the first of which will become available in May 2026, and the other will position will be vacant as of December 2026. Applications will be reviewed as they are received and will be considered for either position.

Applications will be reviewed as soon as they are submitted.

To talk with someone about this opportunity or to receive assistance completing the application, please contact the advisory body staff liaison at [email protected] or 503-823-7726.

Voluntary & Confidential Demographic Information

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 [email protected]

General Questions

For general questions about the Advisory Bodies program, the volunteer recruitment process, or other upcoming advisory body opportunities please email [email protected].

We Encourage You to Apply

We welcome you to browse our website to learn more about the Design Commission | Portland.gov (https://www.portland.gov/bds/design-commission) .

Do you have questions or need more information? Email [email protected] or 503-823-7726.

City of Portland volunteers are unpaid; therefore, employment benefits are not available.

Employer

City of Portland

Address

1120 SW 5th Ave, Room 987 Portland, Oregon, 97204

Website

http://www.portlandoregon.gov/jobs

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