Job Appointment: Full time, regular
Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8am-5pm. Alternate schedule may be available.
Work Location: Hybrid. In-person work to be conducted at The Vanport Building located at 1810 SW 5th Avenue.
Benefits: Please check our benefit tab for an overview of benefit for this position
Application Material: Please click APPLY to submit your application via the City of Portland’s online portal. You will need to attach a cover letter and resume.
Position Summary
The Chief Community Technology Officer (Manager II) will be part of the bureau's leadership team and oversee Community Technology Programs. This is one of the three major divisions of the bureau's work, along with Climate/Sustainability and Planning.
About the Community Technology Program
This new division combines the programs of the former Office for Community Technology and the BPS Smart City PDX program. This includes Digital Equity, Smart City, Franchise Utility, and the Mt. Hood Cable Regulatory Commission.
- The Digital Equity and Smart City programs prioritize services to improve the use of data and technology to foster civic engagement, create shared prosperity, improve livability, and provide equitable access to City services. The program partners with communities to prepare for future technologies and make our city a place where data and technology are used to improve people’s lives and not harm them. The work currently includes digital inclusion, privacy and data governance policy and program development, grantmaking to improve community access to technology and telecommunications, and support for community media centers.
- The Franchise Utility program grants access to the right-of-way by utility companies, like water, gas, electricity, and telecommunication companies, by negotiating and administering agreements. The right-of-way is one of Portland’s most important assets, and it brings in $80-90 million dollars annually for the City. Staff utilize the City’s authority to manage the long-term use of public rights-of-way and levy fees to ensure the city is fairly compensated for use of the right-of-way utilities. The Utility program oversees compliance by utilities to ensure companies follow the terms of the agreements.
- The Mt. Hood Cable Regulatory Commission (MHCRC) implements provisions in cable services franchise agreements that provide consumer protections, community benefit resources related to digital access, video production, and community broadcasting; and it provides funding to Multnomah County and the cities within it.
The Community Technology programs include several distinct but related bundles of work. Each of these functions has a lead program manager and staff. This senior management position will direct the work of this combined set of programs, supervise the program managers, and facilitate communication with the BPS Director and City leadership. This is one of three lead policy managers in the bureau, alongside the Chief Planner, and the Chief Sustainability Officer.
The City of Portland is currently undergoing a reorganization driven by voter-approved changes to the City Charter. This position will have a role in recommending how Community Technology programs fit into that future organization. The transition will likely take several years, during which time this position will manage institutional change as part of the bureau’s leadership team.
As a Chief Community Technology Officer, you will:
- Direct and lead the City on Community Technology programs. Plan, organize, direct, and evaluate the activities of these programs alongside program managers. Establish strategic priorities to accomplish the vision and mission of the City of Portland. Set clear performance standards and evaluate the success of program managers and nurture a talented, effective, interdisciplinary team to service and reflect the City’s diverse communities. Lead and support change while staying focused on priorities.
- Develop and maintain strategic relationships with a broad range of stakeholders, including community-based organizations. Collaborate with leadership in the Bureau of Technology Services (BTS) to coordinate external technology initiatives within internal BTS technology policy and strategic direction. Coordinate with Franchise Utility stakeholders to align community benefit programs with telecommunication and cable franchise agreements and licenses. Coordinate with city, state, regional and federal leaders to advocate and enact legal action for the rights and needs of the City regarding franchise utility, broadband deployment, digital inclusion, privacy, data governance, and responding to new technology.
- Serve as an active and engaged member of the BPS Executive Team responsible for the entire bureau. Under direction of the Bureau Director, work to ensure that the Bureau and its staff carry out the City and the Bureau’s vision, mission, and objectives.
- Direct budget development and administration, including forecasting program resources, seeking new resources, and monitoring spending.
As a candidate, you are:
- Tech savvy - You understand emerging issues related to government use of technology, telecommunications tools, data, and media.
- Adept in change management – You are talented at leading a diverse group of talented staff through a changing environment.
- Politically savvy - Able to navigate the political decision-making process in local government.
- Community oriented - Grounded in working with community-based organizations to advance social and racial justice.
- Energetic Leader - Eager to provide leadership and vision.
About the Bureau:
The Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability develops creative and practical solutions enhance Portland's livability, preserve distinctive places and plan for a resilient future. We are committed to advancing equity as a means of achieving prosperous, healthy, resilient communities. In collaboration with community partners, we provide leadership in planning, climate/sustainability, and community technology. The Planning programs include comprehensive land use, neighborhood, economic, historic and environmental planning, and urban design. The Climate and Sustainability programs includes policy to address climate change and technical services to advance green building and a just transition to clean energy, waste prevention, composting and recycling, and administration of the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund. The Community Technology programs include regulation of private franchise utilities, administration of the Mt. Hood Cable Regulatory Commission, digital equity and inclusion policy and projects, and Smart Cities PDX.
https://www.portland.gov/bps (http://www.portland.gov/bps)
BPS values a diverse workforce and seeks ways to promote equity and inclusion within the organization. We encourage candidates with knowledge, ability and experience working with abroad range of individuals and diverse communities to apply. Although not required, BPS encourages candidates that can fluently speak more than one language to include that information in your resume. BPS offers an excellent benefits package, flexible work schedules and support for training and skills development in a positive, engaging, and creative work environment.
Studies have shown that women, non-binary people, and Black, Indigenous, and other people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet all the qualifications listed. BPS considers lived experience and transferrable skills as qualifying unless an item is labeled as required. We are most interested in finding the best candidates for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. We encourage you to apply.
Questions?Jaclyn Snyder, Senior Recruiter
Bureau of Human Resources
Jaclyn.Snyder@portlandoregon.gov
The following minimum qualifications are required for this position:
- Experience leading, including overseeing operational and strategic planning, public administration, program evaluation, and budget preparation.
- Knowledge of local government structure, functions, strategies, program policies, and the social, community, intergovernmental, political, and legislative issues and challenges influencing municipal operations.
- Experience developing and maintaining highly effective relationships with communities of color and other underserved communities, elected officials, community leaders, the public and internal stakeholders. This includes the ability to manage a multicultural workforce, promote an equitable workplace environment, and apply equitable program practices to diverse and complex City services.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing; present information, proposals, and recommendations clearly and persuasively in public settings.
- Experience developing innovative programs and leveraging public-private partnerships and other resources, building consensus on complex and complicated strategy and projects, navigating sensitive political environments.
- Knowledge of change management approaches and methods.
The possession of the following experience is a typical way of obtaining the required knowledge, skills, and abilities:
- Education/Training: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in business administration, public administration, or field related to technology, media, community development, public engagement, economics, or finance.
- Experience: Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience developing, implementing, and managing programs, projects, and/or personnel functions within an organizational unit, including a minimum of three (3) years in a supervisory role.
STEP 1: Apply online between September 18, 2023 – October 9, 2023
Required Application Materials:
Optional Application Materials:
- Veteran documents to request for Veteran Preference (ex, DD214-Member 4, VA Benefit Letter, etc.)
Application Tips:
- 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.
- Do not attach materials not requested. Please note, 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. E-mailed and/or faxed applications will not be accepted.
Step 2: Minimum Qualification Evaluation: Week of October 9, 2023
- 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.
Step 3: Establishment of Eligible List: Week of October 16, 2023
- Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on the equally ranked eligible list.
Step 4: Selection (Interview): Late October - Early November
- Hiring bureau will review and select candidates to interview.
- Please note, the selection process may take up to 90 days from the notification of being placed on the eligible list.
Step 5: Offer of Employment: Mid-November
Step 6: Start Date: Early December
- 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