Community Education and Stewardship Manager

Are you a strong leader with management and supervisory experience in outdoor programming that meets the needs of marginalized communities? Do you have a commitment to and demonstrated lived or work experience advancing racial equity? If you answered yes to both questions, you might be a great addition to the Parks and Nature management team. We’re looking for a dedicated professional to direct the work of and provide guidance and support to a dynamic, talented and passionate team of 6 to 10 Community Education and Stewardship team members. Come be a part of our team!

The Community Education and Stewardship (CES) Manager will lead the work of our education and stewardship programs. They will work in partnership with other agencies, community stakeholders and Metro staff to inform priorities and decisions for our regional system of parks and natural areas. Programs foster welcoming spaces; provide meaningful experiences for visitors; emphasize cultural and historical learning; elevate voices and honor intersectional experiences especially of  Indigenous, Black, People of Color, Queer, Immigrant communities and historically marginalized people; create holistic opportunities to connect with nature and cultural resources through multimodal approaches. The CES Manager will leverage learned and lived experience to apply equity, diversity and inclusion principles in pursuit of just outcomes for historically marginalized groups in the parks and natural areas of our region.

At Metro, we manage 17,000 acres of voter-protected land across greater Portland, with a focus on protecting clean water, restoring fish and wildlife habitat, and connecting people with nature close to home. We're looking for somebody who shares Metro's commitment to making sure that all our region's diverse communities – including communities of color and low-income communities – have opportunities to connect with nature. 

Essential Job Duties

Lead, supervise, support and advocate for a team of full time and seasonal staff; the team provides in-person outdoor programming at parks and natural areas throughout the region. 
Develop and maintain partnerships and relationships with Black, Indigenous and People of Color community members and groups, local jurisdictions, non-profit organizations and small businesses.
Manage projects and support projects at the agency, department and team levels, coordinate and facilitate external and internal working groups. 
Communicate and report on Parks and Nature CES programs through written communications and verbal presentations to agency senior leadership, Metro Council and the general public.
Align program area mission, short and long term objectives and strategies with larger agency and department frameworks in consultation with team members, program director, community, management and other related departments.

Ideal Candidate:

Experience advancing racial equity within a government agency.
Significant experience in advancing community centered outdoor programming focused on creating welcoming spaces for communities of color.
Knowledge of systemic racism and other forms of oppression and commitment to continued learning, and experience dismantling it at multiple levels.
Experience developing and managing budgets, applying principles of racial equity in resource (budging and staffing) management. 
Ability to meet people where they are at and grow their capacity to understand and apply a racial equity framework.
Strong communication skills and the ability to apply these skills effectively with diverse groups.
Leadership and management skills; ability to build consensus, trust and navigate complexities of opinions; build inclusive team culture and provide clear direction; develop and implement and tools for change. 
Experience in centering people, their experiences and priorities when leading projects, and managing resources to achieve department objectives and goals.
Experience applying a collaborative and inclusive approach to change management; ability to strategically weigh risks and benefits of actions. 
Experience in resolving conflicting interests; demonstrate respect for competing views while still deciding and moving divergent groups forward.
Knowledge of and experience in supporting discrimination and harassment free interactions with public and employees.
Knowledge of trauma informed care practices and cultural humility and the ability to apply these practices in a leadership role.

Minimum Requirements

TO QUALIFY:
We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific about how your background is relevant.

Metro is committed to ensuring the health and safety for our employees and our community. As a part of this commitment, Metro has implemented a vaccine requirement policy for employees, paid and unpaid interns and volunteers. Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination is considered a minimum qualification requirement for Metro job applicants and this proof will be requested during the hiring process. View: Metro COVID-19 Vaccination policy (Download PDF reader) (Download PDF reader)
  
If you require an accommodation under this policy for a medical condition or disability, or sincerely held religious belief, please email benefits.help@oregonmetro.gov 

If I was terminated for cause, or resigned in lieu of termination, I understand I may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.

Minimum Qualifications:

Five years leading or supervising people AND 
Bachelor's degree in the area of assignment or a related field AND
Two years project management experience in area of responsibility OR
Any combination of education and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the classification duties and responsibilities

Preferred Qualifications/Transferable Skills:  You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider some or all of the following when identifying the most qualified candidates. Please clearly explain on your application how you meet any of the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills.

Strong adaptive and collaborative leadership skills
Experience supporting and leading diverse teams
Experience collaborating with Black, Indigenous and People of Color community members, and building partnerships with community organizations, grassroots organizations, and advocates to advance their needs.
At least three years of experience developing and advancing culturally relevant and responsive outdoor education programs.
Experience in dismantling anti-blackness and working to advance culturally relevant outcomes.
An understanding of the history of systemic racism in parks and natural areas and the conservation movement, and experience discussing these topics and offering alternatives.
Knowledge of Native American/Indigenous protocol, custom, traditions, culture and experience listening to the needs of tribes and/or Indigenous communities and advocating with them.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment. Cover letters, resumes, and other supplemental materials will NOT be reviewed. 

(1) Complete the electronic application; and
(2) Answer the supplemental questions.

Metro offers a highly competitive compensation and benefits program. The salary range for this position is $101,686-$144,438 annually. Based on our internal equity review and candidates qualifications the appointment will be made between $101,686 - $133,750 annually. This position is non- represented/represented and is classified as a Manager II (Download PDF reader) (click to read the full classification). Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions.  Additional Information

Hello, we're Metro
Across greater Portland in 24 cities and three counties, there's one local government that brings us all together. Led by an elected council, Metro helps Oregonians shape the future and provides services that make life better today. Metro's work spans parks and nature, land and transportation, garbage and recycling, and arts and events. We help make greater Portland a great place to call home. If this sounds like something you would like to be a part of, come and be a part of our team!

Additional Information Related to COVID-19: The health and safety of our employees and community is a top priority for Metro. Employees will be required to follow all Metro COVID-related policies and procedures, which may meet or exceed guidelines set forth by the CDC, Oregon Health Authority, and other federal, state and local jurisdictions. Learn more at oregonmetro.gov/COVID-19.

Diversity and Inclusion:  At Metro, we strive to hire a workforce representative of the communities we serve, understanding that a diverse workforce strengthens our organization. We value diversity and support a positive and welcoming environment where all of our employees can thrive.

Equal employment opportunity:  All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made or any other status protected by law. Assistance will be gladly provided upon request for any applicant with sensory or non-sensory disabilities.

Online applications: Metro accepts job applications online. If you need assistance or accommodation with your application, or access to a computer, call 503-797-1570.

Accommodation: Reasonable accommodation is available to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this process. To obtain confidential assistance please contact Human Resources 503-797-1570.

Public Employees Retirement System (PERS): Metro pays the employee and employer portion of the PERS contribution.

Veterans' Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Metro positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans' preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

How to apply:

If you're interested in this opportunity please visit Oregon Metro Regional Government's website at https://www.oregonmetro.gov/jobs