Job Description

Posting number: 2026-00859

Department: Portland Housing Bureau

Job classification: Housing Program Specialist, Assistant

Posting type: Open

Categories: Administration, Administrative Assistant, Housing, Program Management

Summary

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Job Appointment: Full Time. Regular.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Alternate schedules may be available.

Work Location: Hybrid. This position reports to 1900 SW 4th Ave. Remote work must be performed within Oregon or Washington. For more information, click here.

Union Representation: AFSCME-189. To view current labor agreements, click here.

Starting Pay: Applicants start at the entry rate. If you are an AFSCME-represented employee, see labor agreement or contact your labor representative for additional information.

Position Summary:

The City of Portland is seeking an Assistant Housing Program Specialist, to join the Preference Policy team of the Portland Housing Bureau. The Housing Bureau, as a part of its N/NE Housing Strategy has developed a program to identify and prioritize Portland residents who have been disproportionately harmed by the city's urban renewal actions over the last 5-7 decades for affordable home ownership and rental housing programs. This position requires excellent communication skills, and the exercise of tact and diplomacy. Individuals applying for this position should have a strong understanding of Racial Equity and integrating Racial Equity into policy and programs.

What you get to do:

• Developing policies and planning for program implementation.
• Administering education, outreach, and technical assistance to the public.
• Administering the application process and managing the case files of applicants on the prioritized service list.
• Developing data sets and analyzing program performance and results.
• Work regularly with members of the public, city staff, industry representatives, and community leaders.
• Provide recommendations on administrative policies, program rules and funding levels.

As a person, you are:

• Collaborative: An authentic professional who values partnership and develops and supports relationships to get things done.
• Solutions Oriented: A person who possesses and uses strong communication skills to work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders to create, implement, document solutions, and problem solve.
• Someone who Values Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): Someone who embraces anti-racist approaches through intentional partnership, self-awareness, and action, showing cultural humility, advocacy, and mindfulness. Someone who understands the importance of using DEI concepts to guide and inform your work.
• Emotionally Intelligent: A person who is motivated, passionate, team-oriented, and empathetic, and works to create the same characteristics in their Team.

Examples of duties

Applicants must demonstrate how their education, training, and experience meet each of the minimum qualifications listed below:

1. Knowledge and ability to apply the methods of program, administrative and procedural analysis.
2. Experience effectively communicating in both oral and written formats, including preparing clear, concise, and comprehensive reports, correspondence, and other documents appropriate to diverse audiences.
3. Knowledge and ability to analyze, explain and apply relevant laws, regulations, ordinances, and policies.
4. Experience using standard data management, and office software to maintain files, records, and documentation.
5. Experience collecting, evaluating, and interpreting data, either in statistical or narrative form.

Qualifications

How to Apply:

• Submit your resume and cover letter by the closing date.
• (Optional) Submit Veterans’ Preference documents, if applicable.
• If this is your first time applying with the City of Portland, or if you haven’t requested veteran preference before (and would like to now), please attach your DD214-Member 4 and/or VA Benefit Letter to your application. Once we verify your eligibility, we’ll record your veteran preference in our system, so it automatically applies to your future applications.
• Click here for application tips for resume, supplemental question response and/or cover letter.

What to Expect:

1. Application Review - (October 13-16): We'll review your application materials to ensure you meet the minimum qualifications listed above.
2. Notice/Feedback - (Week of October 19th): You will receive an email when the minimum qualification review is complete. If you disagree with the evaluation results, you may request a review within 14 days of the email notice, per City Administrative Rule 3.01.
3. Selection Process - (Late October / Early November): The hiring bureau will review qualified applications, conduct interviews, and check references.
4. Conditional Job Offer - (Mid November): Final candidates may undergo a background or driving record check, depending on the position.

Supplemental information

Learn More About:

• How to Apply Videos and Workshops
• City of Portland Core Values
• HRAR-3.01 - Recruitment Processes
• Veteran Preference Information
• Total Compensation and Benefits
• Language Pay Differential Eligibility

We’re committed to providing a fair, inclusive, and accessible hiring process. If you need assistance with your application or would like to request a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, pregnancy, or religious belief, please contact the recruiter listed below.

Questions? We're here to help!

If you have questions about this recruitment or need assistance, contact:

Tamela Ressler, Senior Recruiter

Tamela.Ressler@portlandoregon.gov

Bureau of Human Resources