Volunteer (Non-Paid) Position--River Community Advisory Committee (Ongoing)

The Position

The River Community Advisory Committee (RCAC) is a citizen advisory body comprised of six members who represent the interests of those who live in or work on floating structures. Members are appointed by the Commissioner-in-charge of the Bureau of Development Services and confirmed by the City Council for three-year terms. The Committee assists the Bureau of Development Services with the development of procedures and administrative guidelines for implementing Title 28 of Portland City Code which governs floating structures.

In particular, the Committee provides the Bureau of Development Services with the following guidance:

• Leadership and expertise on issues affecting floating structures
• Feedback on the impact of potential regulations and administrative rules on floating structures, taking into consideration the full range of City goals and objectives
• Recommendations for regulatory, code, and administrative rule changes affecting floating structures
• Monitoring of the application and enforcement of regulations for their effectiveness in achieving the City’s goals
• Recommendations on customer service, permitting, process, and compliance improvements
• Advise the City of Portland on other matters covered under Title 28

Total number of advisory seats: Six
Number of seats available : Two

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:
The City of Portland is actively seeking individuals who have experience with or can share the perspectives of:

• Floating home resident
• Marina operator
• Floating structures contractor
• Floating structures design professional
• Yacht club member
• On-the-water business owner

We are always recruiting for potential members to fill either one of the professional or community-based categories listed. Please indicate in your application materials the seat/category for which you would like to be considered.

BDS is at a point of significant transformation as the bureau expands the ways it interacts with and provides services to the public, with a shift to more online and remote services. It is critically important to have people of color at the table, providing their advice and feedback on the new ways BDS and its partner bureaus provide information to the public about existing regulations and provide development review, permitting, and enforcement services to the community.

We want people with experience in the areas above, especially people of color, to share their perspectives on this committee. In the past, systems were built by and for white people with access to power and resources. We need systems, processes and services that work for people of color. If you want to help development review, permitting and enforcement better serve communities of color, and you have experience in one of the above stakeholder groups, then we want to see your application:

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.

• 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 have a perspective on physically navigating the community with a disability.
• You are available to attend all meetings and participate in the discussions

Time Commitment

• The RCAC meets two times per year during lunchtime meetings at the 1900 Building located at 1900 SW 4 th Avenue or Jacobs Center located at 2020 SW 4 th Avenue or at a Yacht Club facility. Additional meetings are scheduled, as needed. Due to current public health restrictions, meetings are currently held online via Zoom. All meetings of the Committee are open to the public.
• Members serve a term of three years with the possibility of renewing for a second three-year term.
• The anticipated time commitment per week/month is will rarely exceed 1hr per month.
• We provide interpreters who will translate the conversation in your language during the meeting. Please ask for an interpreter at least a week in advance of the meeting so we have enough time to make arrangements.
• You may need to read and write in your language. Verbal and written translations are performed by outside organizations. The dialects may be different than your home region and may be different on each document.
• We try to translate the written materials you ask for, but we may not be able to provide translation on all meeting documents.
• Members are expected to prepare for meetings on their own time. Meeting materials for review may be sent with minimal time to review, possibly as few as forty-eight hours (or two days) in advance .

We Remove Barriers
Let us know if there are barriers to your participation.

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, July 21, 2024

To talk with someone about this opportunity or to receive assistance completing the application, please contact the advisory body staff liaison at david.tebeau@portlandoregon.gov or call 503-823-4072.

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: https://www.portland.gov/bds/river-committee .

Do you have questions or need more information? Email david.tebeau@portlandoregon.gov or call 503-823-4072.

Additional Information

Meeting Location
Currently, many advisory bodies are meeting remotely due to COVID-19. In the future, meetings could: 1) be conducted fully remotely, or 2) be conducted remotely and in person (hybrid model). As the situation evolves, the exact meeting location may change based upon leadership direction and approval.

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

Closing Date/Time: 7/21/2024 11:59 PM Pacific

Portland, Oregon United States View Map