Job Description

Project Management Specialist

Non-Union Position
Strategic Planning Staff; Portland, Oregon (US-OR)

Hybrid schedule available for Oregon & Washington residents.
Regular FT, Exempt
Posting # 5508

About Us:

At NW Natural, we offer more than rewarding career opportunities and a vibrant, inclusive work culture. We invite you to join us in providing safe and reliable utility services and renewable energy to better the lives of the communities we serve. Our vision is to be the leader in service excellence, innovation and environmental stewardship for our customers, while building on our strengths as a trusted energy provider and environmental leader for our industry.

In addition to environmental stewardship, we’re also deeply committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at NW Natural. Our DEI Council started 21 years ago, and today we continue to foster a culture where all employees can experience a sense of belonging, shared purpose and possibility.

NOTE:

Employees based at our Headquarters are required to work on-site a minimum of two days per week. Specific in‑office days may vary by team and business needs. This hybrid schedule supports collaboration, connection, and engagement while also offering flexibility for remote work.

The Role:

The Project Management Specialist is responsible for providing both project and administrative support for the Strategic Planning Department. The Project Management Specialists’ primary role is leading the day-to-day project management support of the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) and associated processes. The role serves as a central connector to ensure work is aligned across people, timelines, deliverables, consultants, vendors, and regulatory requirements. This includes contributing to a team environment and overall operational effectiveness of the department.

Day to Day:

Integrated Resource Plan (IRP)

• Coordinate the IRP lifecycle, including schedules, milestones, dependencies, and deadlines
• Coordinate inputs and deliverables across multiple internal departments
• Partner with facilitators, consultants, and subject-matter experts to align workstreams and support team needs
• Manage IRP communications and stakeholder engagement in coordination with IRP Director
• Review and edit IRP related filings and supporting documentation
• Maintain IRP knowledge repositories and serve as keeper of record for filings and regulatory communications
• Act as liaison between vendors, consultants, internal teams, and other external stakeholders
• Support Company advisory groups relevant to energy planning
• Support project managers and initiatives that originate from or support the IRP, tracking dependencies and downstream impacts
• Assist team members in locating regulatory dockets, timelines, and historical information
• Proactively anticipate issues, identify solutions, and maintain operational continuity to communicate with the Strategic Planning Senior Director and Integrated Resource Planning Director

Strategic Planning Team & Departmental Support

• Support day-to-day organizational and administrative needs of the Strategic Planning team, inclusive of the Integrated Resource plan
• Coordinate budget activity with leadership and finance partners
• Reconcile and process invoices, accruals, and payments; track purchase orders and vendor spend; support compliance activities
• Coordinate logistics for internal and external meetings, advisory sessions, offsites, and events
• Manage calendars, meetings (all types), travel, and external coordination activities
• Serve as department representative for SharePoint and ECM efforts; manage sites and permissions
• Support team engagement, morale, and planning efforts to keep work organized and moving forward
• Be a team player in helping to accomplish tasks at hand; manage tasks as assigned

These capabilities enable success across both IRP and general team responsibilities:

• Superb organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and responsibilities simultaneously and across multiple workstreams
• Verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to articulate issues and concerns
• Exceptional attention to detail ensuring work is completed thoroughly and completely with little oversight.
• Proven ability working in a strong team-oriented environment responding to and managing competing deadlines in support of multiple stakeholders.
• Demonstrated internal customer service orientation with a collaborative problem-solving approach; ability to work with staff at all levels of organization.
• Ability to locate, synthesize, and manage complex information (e.g., filings, dockets, schedules)
• Advanced computer skills, including SharePoint, Excel, Word, SAP, and project tracking tools
• System level thinking that recognizes cause and effect across schedules, budgets, and project portfolios
• Trusted handling of confidential and sensitive information

Come on your first day with:

Level 2:

• Associate’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in project coordination, project administration, or a similar function.

Level 3:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in project coordination, project administration, or a similar function

What we offer:

Health & Wellness –

• Rich health insurance benefits with competitive employer contribution
• Free access to an online wellness resources platform

Work Life Balance -

• Up to 23 Vacation Days
• 80 Hours of Sick Time
• 10 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays
• Flexible work arrangements
• 3 weeks paid parental leave
• Be part of a workplace where your voice matters. Engage with our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council, and a variety of Employee Resource Groups that support community and growth.
• 1500 sq foot exercise facility and secure bike room

Financial -

• Meaningful annual incentive bonus opportunity in addition to base salary
• Competitive 401K company contribution and match
• 15% discount on NW Natural stock through Employee Stock Purchase Program
• Up to $5250 a year in tuition reimbursement
• Wellness incentive program

Discounts -

• 20% off natural gas service
• Up to 30% discount at NW Natural Appliance Center
• TriMet Pass for all HQ employees
• Generous discounts with Verizon & AT&T Wireless

Base salary range: $68,600.00 - $94,150.00 (Level 2) or$74,800.00 - $102,600.00 (Level 3) per year, depending on qualifications

Annual Target Incentive: Level 2, 7.5% target
Level 3, 7.5% target
Targets are calculated using eligible earnings during plan year participation. Payout, if earned, is based on company and individual performance for each plan year and may range from 0% – 200% of target. Targets are subject to change in subsequent plan years. Must be employed by September 30 in order to receive any prorated payout.

Application Process:To be considered for this position, submit a complete electronic application including cover letter and resume via our website.

https://www.nwnatural.com/about-us/the-company/careers

Deadline: 4/7/26

Disclosure: We are a drug free workplace and we comply with Federal Drug Free Workplace Act and Department of Transportation regulations. NW Natural participates in E-Verify. Individuals hired will have their Form I-9 information submitted to E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee’s Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility.

E-Verify Information
NW Natural participates in E-Verify. Individuals hired will have their Form I-9 information submitted to E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee’s Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility.

All applications must be submitted through NW Natural’s Electronic Application System. Resumes submitted via email, fax or mail will not be accepted in lieu of an electronic application.

NW Natural is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and embrace our candidates’ diversity and take affirmative action to employ and advance individuals without discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, pregnancy (including childbirth or related medical conditions), national origin, marital status, genetic information, and all other legally protected characteristics. We forbid discrimination and harassment in the workplace based on any protected status or characteristic. A criminal history is not an automatic bar to employment with NW Natural. Instead, we make individualized assessments regarding qualifications and backgrounds. NW Natural is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation as part of the application process, please contact us at employment@nwnatural.com or (971) 979-6341.

NW Natural does not accept unsolicited submissions or assistance from search firms for posted positions. Resumes submitted by search firms working under a valid and current written contract with NW Natural valid written Statement of Work in place for this position from NW Natural HR/Employment will be deemed the sole property of NW Natural. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by NW Natural as a result of the referral or through other means.