JOB DESCRIPTION
The Position
The Portland Water Bureau is seeking two Education Coordinators (Coordinator II) to join the Water Resources Education and Cultural Resources Team.
Do you love spending time outdoors teaching hands-on science and connecting people with the natural systems that sustain us?
Are you a thoughtful and enthusiastic communicator who enjoys interpreting complex scientific and technical information in ways that everyone can access?
Are you passionate about analyzing programs with an equity lens, to increase access to and participation by Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander, and Multiracial communities, as well as people with disabilities?
Do you enjoy planning complex logistics and adapting to unforeseen circumstances?
If yes, you may be the Water Resources Education Coordinator the Portland Water Bureau is looking for.
About the Division
The Education Coordinator positions report to the Water Resources Education and Cultural Resources Program Manager. The Water Resources Education and Cultural Resources Program is one of five divisions in the Resource Protection and Planning Group which conducts natural resource stewardship, environmental protection, climate change analysis, and adaptive water resource planning efforts related to Portland’s drinking water system.
The Water Resources Education and Cultural Resources Program supports the organization’s source water protection and equity goals by presenting natural resource, regulatory, operations, and infrastructure content regarding Portland’s drinking water system to Portland’s diverse communities, local organizations, city employees, students (pre-K through college), elected officials, and more. This work supports the public closure of the Bull Run Watershed by providing supervised access to the area and fosters an informed community of water consumers and decision-makers. This program also leads the bureau’s cultural resources management and compliance efforts. This includes ensuring compliance with historic preservation regulatory requirements and leading the bureau’s tribal relations work under the guidance of the City’s Tribal Relations Program.
About the Position
Both Education Coordinators will participate in and carry out much of the same education work. Lead roles for each position will be determined once both new employees begin work and the team can identify the best strategy for assigning responsibilities and balancing workloads. Assignments will be periodically discussed, and roles may shift over time.
Water Resources Education Coordinators will be people who enjoy being busy and have enthusiasm and endurance for long physical and interpersonal days. They will be strong communicators who can effectively convey a wide range of drinking water issues and provide a balanced perspective on the complexities of water resource management. They are responsible for educating diverse audiences of adults and K-12 students about the Portland drinking water system in both outdoor and classroom settings; program scheduling, tracking, reporting, evaluation, and improvement, with a specific focus on ensuring an equitable and culturally responsive program; develop ing and updat ing program materials and resources; building positive working relationships with bureau staff, partner organizations, and the public; developing career pipeline diversification programming–especially for the natural resources fields; managing field trip and event logistics and following security and safety protocols; and responding, when necessary, to first aid or evacuation emergencies in a remote location. Education Coordinators will also support the Education and Cultural Resources Manager with the bureau’s historic preservation and tribal relations efforts as needed. These positions require a flexible schedule, including irregular work hours and frequent weekend obligations.
Duties and responsibilities in clude:
- As Education Coordinators, you will need strong communication and teaching skills, including both verbal and written communication , and a mindset of curiosity and learning that will allow you to continually connect with a wide diversity of audiences .
- You will spend a significant amount of time teaching, communicating, and engaging interpersonally with groups of adults or K-12 students , including regular classroom programs and full-day (7-9 hours) tours and school field trips of the Bull Run Watershed which include talking while facing backward on a bus, walking trails with uneven terrain, and climbing up and down stairs.
- You will address subject matter including watershed ecology, hydrology, Pacific Northwest natural history, water quality, drinki ng water regulations, water system history, source water protection, resource conservation, water supply planning and management , and more .
- As lead workers, you will actively participate in the recruitment, training, and oversight of two Education Assistants and will tem porarily direct the work of other staff who participate as bus drivers, mentors, or volunteer assistants .
- You will coordinate the complex day-to-day operations , logistics, scheduling, implementation, tracking, and evaluation of all classroom programs, field trips and tours, workshops, and events, including the emergency response periodically required when working in remote settings.
- You will develop and implement strategies to extend the reach and exposure of bureau education opportunities to communities of color, non-English speaking communities, N ative people, people with low incomes, and other interested Metro-area residents who have not participated in education activities in numbers representative of their l o cal populations .
- You will build ongoing relationships and partnerships with school communities, community organizations, and community members, especially those from communities of color and people with disabilities , to design culturally responsive and trauma-informed programming .
- You will collaborate across workgroups and with bureau partners to develop and implement engaging interactive educational tools, programs, and partnerships to raise awareness about drinking water in ways that meet specific audience needs and support bureau efforts to diversify the broader water utility workforce .
- You will create and contribute to regular written communications in the form of interpretive materials, a quarterly newsletter, social media content, internal updates, and more.
- You will plan , organize, and carry out small and large events through partnerships like the Children’s Clean Water Festival and through a sole-source contract with the Columbia Slough Watershed Council (CSWC) .
Although no t required, you may have one or more of the following:
- Speak one of the following languages: S panish, Vietnamese, Chinese, or Russian.
- Identify as and belong to the Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander, Multiracial , or disabili ty community.
As a person, you are:
- Passionate about teaching science: You will be teaching hands-on science and connecting people with the natural systems that sustain us. You are energized at the idea of regularly leading educational experiences in classrooms, on tour buses, and in outdoor and remote settings.
- Highly collaborative: You can take direction from and ad vise others simultaneously. You enjoy working with people from diverse personal and professional backgrounds and are flexible in how you collaborate.
- Detail -o riented: You enjoy coordinating complex logistics , have exceptional attention to detail , and follow best practices for quality assurance in your work.
- Equity – focused : The bureau is working to increase access to and participation in Water Resources Education programming by Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander, and Multiracial communities, as well as people with disabilities . This work will be done in accordance with city core values and the Water Bureau’s mission, vision, and values with a particular commitment to the bureau’s Plan to Advance Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion . Education Coordinators will carry out this work together, with the support of the Education and Cultural Resources Program Manager and the bureau’s Equity Team.
- C urious : Y ou enjoy exploring the interrelationships between humans and the natural and built resources that sustain healthy communitie s. Y ou are a thoughtful and enthusiastic communicator who enjoys interpreting complex scientific and technical information in ways that everyone can access .
Work Location
This position requires a combination of office-based work and fieldwork. Locations for fieldwork include schools, buses, community sites, and various Water Bureau locations including the Bull Run Watershed, the Columbia South Shore Well Field, and the Operations Facility. Currently, many positions with the City of Portland are being performed as a remote/onsite mix. In the future, these positions: 1) may remain as a remote/onsite mix or 2) revert to full-time at a city work location.
About the Water Bureau
The Portland Water Bureau’s 600 employees work together to serve almost a million people in the Portland area. The bureau values a diverse workforce and seeks ways to promote equity and inclusion within the organization and with the public
Our mission: We serve excellent water every minute of every day.
Our vision: The water our community loves is safe and abundant for generations to come.
Our equity commitment: We work to uproot systemic inequities and their impacts on our employees and the people we serve. We commit to the difficult-and essential-work of transforming Water Bureau policies, practices, and culture to better serve historically and currently oppressed communities.
More Information about the bureau: www.portlandoregon.gov/water
City of Portland Core Values:
Anti-racism | Communication | Collaboration | Equity | Transparency | Fiscal Responsibility
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 .
Why work at the City of Portland?
The City of Portland workforce serves a population of over 650,000. We are culture- and solutions-driven, viewing every challenge as an opportunity to learn, improve, and share our expertise. We are committed to removing systemic barriers to resources, access, and opportunity. The City is a believer in ALL people and continues to actively recruit and retain diverse top talent every day. We offer a comprehensive benefits package , including but not limited to medical, dental, vision, basic life, and short- and long-term disability coverage to eligible employees and their families. If you are open-minded, motivated, community-focused, and self-aware, please apply yourself at the City of Portland today.
The City of Portland also participates in the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). For more information on the City of Portland’s benefits please click here .
COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement
As of October 18, 2021, all City employees must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. This is required for all positions at the City of Portland. Proof of being fully vaccinated is required by the date of hire. You may request an exception , for health or religious reasons, from getting the COVID-19 vaccine at the time a position is offered.
To Qualify
All of the following minimum qualifications are required for this position. Applicants must specifically address in their resume and cover letter how their education, training, work experience, and/or lived experience, meets each of the following minimum qualifications:
- Experience and ability to organize and implement programs in public education, outreach, and interpretation in natural resource and/or scientific fields.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Bureau managers and staff, community partners, adult and school communities, and others encountered in the course of work, using tact and diplomacy to deal with sensitive issues and situations.
- Experience and ability to communicate clearly, logically, and in culturally responsive ways, both verbally and in writing, with an emphasis on interpretation of natural and water resources and science content for all ages; prepare concise and comprehensive reports, correspondence, and other documents.
- Ability to collaborate with communities of color and people traditionally underrepresented in local decision-making; facilitate inclusive participation in programs and activities; communicate cross-culturally and with thoughtful curiosity and humility.
- Ability to exercise independent judgment, problem-solve, and take initiative within established procedures and guidelines, including outdoors and in remote areas.
Applicants must also possess:
- Must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 per City/State mandate or have an approved exception by the date of hire.
- A valid state driver’s license and acceptable driving record.
- Ability to obtain Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder training upon hire. (This will be a part of your work training).
- Experience: Minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible professional work experience in the natural resource sciences, teaching/leading groups in outdoor/remote settings . Four (4) years of similar or equivalent experience is preferred.
- Education/Training: Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a relevant field including but not limited to the Environmental, Biological, or Natural Resource Sciences, Geography, Education/Teaching, or Communicat ions.
The Recruitment Process
An evaluation of each applicant’s training and experience, as demonstrated in your resume and cover letter, weighted 100%. Do not attach materials not requested. Only candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on the eligible list. (The candidates on the eligible list are equally ranked.) 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 the establishment of the eligible list and/or final selection.
** PLEASE NOTE: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies**
Recruitment Timeline:
- Job closes: 1/23/23
- Virtual information session: 1/5/23
- Applications Reviewed: Weeks of 1/ 23 /23 and 1/ 30 /23
- Eligible List: Week of 2/ 6 /23
- First Round of Interviews: 2/ 13 /23 – 2/1 7 /23
- Second Round of Interviews: 2/ 20 /23 – 2/ 24 /23
- Job Offer: Week of 2/ 27 /23
- The start date is flexible but strongly desired to be on or before March 20, 2023
*Timeline is approximate and subject to change
Application Instructions
Applicants must submit a professional resume online, and a cover letter specifically focused on their 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 responses to the supplemental questions.
- Salary Range/Equity Pay Analysis: Please note per the Oregon State Pay Equity Law your salary is determined based on the experience and education listed in your resume/application. It is strongly encouraged to include any transferable experience (paid or unpaid regardless of how recent) to ensure your offer is reflective of all directly related and equivalent experience.
- If you are requesting Veteran’s Preference, as identified below, please describe in your responses to the supplemental questions and resume any transferrable skills obtained during your military service and how they relate to each of the required minimum qualifications under the “To Qualify” section above.
Please note, that all completed applications for this position must be submitted no later than on the closing date and time of this recruitment. All applications must be submitted via the City’s online application process. Do not attach materials not requested. E-mailed and/or faxed applications will not be accepted.
Additional Information
Work Status: Non-citizen applicants must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of application.
Veterans’ Preference: If you are requesting Veterans’ Preference, attach a copy of your DD214/DD215 and/or Veterans Administration letter stating your disability to your profile, as well as checking the box identifying yourself as a Veteran. You must request Veterans’ Preference AND include a copy of your documentation for each recruitment to which you apply. Veterans’ Preference documentation must be submitted no later than the closing date and time of this recruitment.
ADA, Pregnancy, and Religious Accommodations: If you identify as a person with a disability, are pregnant or nursing, or observe a religious practice(s), and would like to request a reasonable accommodation when applying for this job, please contact the Recruiter below for assistance.
Equal Employment Opportunity: 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.
Language Pay Differential: City of Portland employees who speak one or more languages in addition to English, may be eligible to receive a “language pay differential.” This is compensation for qualifying multilingual City employees who use their language skills to assist the community. More about the language pay differential can be found here.
Did you know? The City of Portland offers How to Apply Classes that are free and review best practices for applying to the City. Follow the link for the most recent list of scheduled dates: https://www.portland.gov/bhr/events.
Questions/Contact Information
Aly’ce Brannon-Reid, Senior Recruiter
Bureau of Human Resources
alyce.brannon-reid@portlandoregon.gov
An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer
OPTIONAL INFORMATION SESSION
To assist you in understanding this position and the recruitment process, we will offer an Optional Information Session that will provide you with details about the position and about the application process. You are not required to attend to apply for this job. You are welcome to join us for the optional information session below
Zoom Information
Thursday, January 5, 2023
6:00pm-7:00pm
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82384159615?pwd=THZuV3FQR2VZREcySHNROTVqMzc1Zz09
Meeting ID: 823 8415 9615
Passcode: 528411
The session will be recorded and added to the Job Announcement.Closing Date/Time: 1/23/2023 11:59 PM Pacific
JOB ADDRESS
Portland, Oregon United States View Map
