Volunteer (Non-Paid) Position--Historic Landmarks Commission (Ongoing)

The Historic Landmarks Commission provides leadership and expertise on maintaining and enhancing Portland's historic and architectural heritage. The Commission identifies and protects buildings and other properties that have historic or cultural significance or special architectural merit. The Commission provides advice on historic preservation matters, and coordinates historic preservation programs in the City. The Commission is also actively involved in the development of design guidelines for historic districts.

• Establishing, amending, or removing Historic Landmark and Conservation Landmark designations and amending Historic District and Conservation District designations in quasi-judicial reviews.
• Recommending the establishment, amendment, or removal of Historic Landmark and Conservation Landmark designations and Significant Resource identification to the City Council in legislative actions.
• Providing advice on the establishment, amendment, or removal of Historic Districts and Conservation Districts to the Planning and Sustainability Commission in legislative actions.
• Recommending design guidelines for Historic Districts and Conservation Districts to the City Council in legislative actions.
• Reviewing development proposals for Historic Landmarks and Conservation Landmarks and in Historic Districts and Conservation Districts in quasi-judicial reviews.
• Reviewing demolition and relocation requests for certain Historic Landmarks, Conservation Landmarks, and resources in Historic Districts and Conservation Districts in quasi-judicial reviews.
• Providing advice on historic preservation matters to the Hearings Officer, Design Commission, Planning and Sustainability Commission, Portland Development Commission, other City commissions and committees, and City Council.
• Initiating and coordinating historic preservation and public outreach programs in the City, including reviewing recommendations for National Register Landmark and District listings and making recommendations to other local governmental agencies regarding historic preservation programs and issues.

To be eligible for the advisory committee, members must live, play, worship, go to school, work or do business in the City of Portland.

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 Historic Landmarks Commission consists of seven members, none of whom may hold public elective office. All members must have demonstrated interest, competence, or knowledge of historic preservation.
  • At least two members must have professional experience in historic preservation, local history, architectural history, or architecture.
  • At least three of the additional members must have professional experience or working knowledge of historic preservation, local history, architectural history, architecture, landscape architecture, real estate, economics, construction, community development, urban planning, archeology, law, finance, cultural geography, cultural anthropology, cultural resources management, or related disciplines.
  • The Commission may have up to two members at-large.
  • We are always recruiting for potential members to fill either one of the professional categories listed or a public-at-large seat. Please indicate in your application materials which seat for which you would like to be considered.
• 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.

• Bi-monthly meetings will take place on the 2nd and 4th Monday afternoon of each month. 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.
• The anticipated time commitment per week/month is approximately 4-10 hours a month.
• Members are expected to prepare for meetings on their own time. Meeting materials for review are typically sent about one week in advance.

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.

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.

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis

Interviews for two upcoming vacancies will be scheduled in September for appointments to be filled in December and January. We are actively recruiting for a public-at-large member and a member with professional experience or working knowledge of historic preservation, local history, architectural history, architecture, landscape architecture, real estate, economics, construction, community development, urban planning, archeology, law, finance, cultural geography, cultural anthropology, cultural resources management, or related disciplines.

To talk with someone about this opportunity or to receive assistance completing the application, please contact the advisory body staff liaison at Hillary.Adam@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-8953.

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

For general questions about the Advisory Bodies program, the volunteer recruitment process, or other upcoming advisory body opportunities please email AdvisoryBodies@Portlandoregon.gov.

We welcome you to browse our website to learn more about the Historic Landmarks Commission.

Do you have questions or need more information? Email Hillary.Adam@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-8953.

COVID – 19 Vaccine Requirement

The work location for this opportunity is hybrid (remote and onsite).
Workplaces across Portland, the United States and the world are making tough decisions about how to protect their employees and community from COVID-19. We, too, find ourselves in the middle of this complex situation at the City of Portland. We are committed to ensuring the health and safety for our employees and our community. As a part of this commitment, all City employees are required to be fully vaccinated, effective October 18, 2021. Proof of full vaccination, or documentation of plans to become fully vaccinated (e.g., partially vaccinated however too soon for second dose, etc.) will be required prior to being hired by the City of Portland. The required vaccination is a minimum qualification requirement to be hired by the City of Portland. We understand that some are unable to be vaccinated for a variety of reasons, including medical and religious/spiritual reasons. Should you be offered employment with the City of Portland, there is an exception process that provides for an exception and reasonable accommodation based on a qualified medical condition or religious/spiritual reason. Exception Request Process for COVID-19 vaccine (Exceptions only apply to candidate(s) offered a position; please do not submit at this time).

Work Location

Currently, many positions with the City of Portland are being performed remotely due to COVID-19. In the future, current positions classified as “full-time remote” could: 1) remain full-time remote, 2) become a remote/onsite mix, 3) revert to full-time at a city work location. As the situation evolves, the exact work location of the position in this recruitment may change based upon leadership direction and approval.