Purpose and role of the PSC
The Portland Planning and Sustainability Commission (PSC) includes 11 volunteer members with expertise in a range of areas. As a group, they balance a variety of City goals. We are currently seeking a new member to fill the vacant Youth Position on the Commission.
The PSC has specific responsibility for the stewardship, development and maintenance of the City's Comprehensive Plan, Climate Action Plan and Zoning Code. Their recommendations to City Council on Portland’s long-range goals, policies and programs for land use, planning and sustainability aim to create a more prosperous, educated, healthy, resilient and equitable city.
The work of the PSC is to:
- Advise City Council and City bureaus on social, economic and environmental issues as well as long-range development in Portland; and on the development and maintenance of the City’s Comprehensive Plan and implementation measures.
- Ensure sustainability principles and practices and equity considerations are integrated into policy, planning and development decisions.
- Advise City Council, as well as City bureaus and other agencies, on projects and proposals that significantly affect the city.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Planning and Sustainability, members must live, play, worship, work or do business in the City of Portland.
Youth position specifics
To continue to increase the diversity of the PSC, one position is filled by a younger community member (ages 18-25 upon appointment). We are seeking someone who is enthusiastic about innovative urban solutions, new technologies, community building, sustainability initiatives and efforts to make Portland a thriving, livable city for all.
The PSC reviews numerous long-range planning projects, and a youth perspective is especially important since today’s youth will be those inheriting our efforts. Engaging youth on the PSC provides a new perspective and opinion on issues that will help shape the future of the city.
Applicants should have a true personal interest and commitment to the work the PSC is responsible for overseeing. The position will have the same duties and responsibilities as all PSC members and is a voting position.
Terms and time commitment
- Two 3-to-4-hour monthly meetings
- Reading/preparation time prior to each meeting
- Possible additional time on sub-groups.
Public Official Conduct of Interest Notice
Those selected to serve on this body will be legally considered public officials for the duration of their service. As such, they will be required to publicly disclose potential conflicts of interest. If potential conflicts of interest are not disclosed, individual members are subject to education or monetary sanctions from the Oregon Government Ethics Commission. Having potential conflicts of interest does not preclude you from serving on this body and may not impact your ability to participate fully on this body. Stakeholders often have potential conflicts of interest by the nature of having interest in the work. The Conflict of Interest Disclosure is included in the application. Please fill all conflicts of interest on your application.
Application process
Applications are due by Friday, April 10, 2020.
- Please complete the PSC Youth Position Application to express your interest in the Planning and Sustainability Youth Position, and send it Julie.ocken@portlandoregon.gov with the subject: PSC Youth Position. The application information you provide is public information except the confidential demographic information.
- Send the voluntary domographic survey to psc@portlandoregon.gov. Separating your demographic information ensures your confidentiality.
Applicants for this position should:
- Be able to commit to serve a 2-year term.
- Be between the ages of 18 and 25 at the beginning of the term.
- Understand and support efforts to promote inclusion and equity.
- Have knowledge of current Portland issues and/or government. (preferred)
- Have background or knowledge of land use and/or urban planning. (preferred)
Voluntary and confidential demographic information
The City is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equity, and uses provided demographic 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. The City will treat this information as confidential to the fullest extent allowed by law.
We encourage you to apply
Learn more about the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability and the Planning and Sustainability Commission.