Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled
Portland State University
Position Details
Proposed Start Date05/15/2024Classification TitleField, Research, and Outreach ServicesRankN - No RankWorking TitleSenior Project ManagerDepartment310080 - SOG Oregon SolutionsPosition NumberD93456RepresentationAU - AAUP RenewableRenewableEnd date, if applicable Position FTE1.0Tenure StatusN - not applicable
Brief Description of PSU/School/Dept
Portland State University is Oregon’s most affordable public research university, located in the heart of one of America’s most dynamic cities. Our mission to “let knowledge serve the city” reflects our dedication to turning ideas into action — in Portland and around the world. The city is our campus, giving students unmatched access to career connections, a vibrant cultural scene and hands-on learning experiences with hundreds of community partners.
Oregon Solutions, within the National Policy Consensus Center (NPCC) at the Hatfield School of Government in the College of Urban and Public Affairs, is responsible for identifying opportunities to help members of Oregon communities work together to implement solutions and complete projects that serve the community. In general, the communities agree that something needs to be done, but they need help to identify solutions, and the people and money to implement those solutions : https://www.pdx.edu/policy-consensus-center/
Position Summary
The Oregon Solutions Senior Project Manager helps identify potential Oregon Solutions projects through a variety of channels. They do situational assessments to determine if the situation is ripe for collaborative work. They assemble a collective group of community members and other stakeholders to address the situation. They oversee and manage projects, convene, facilitate group meetings, and work outside the meetings to help the group connect with people and financial resources needed for implementing the project.
The Senior Project Manager is distinct from a project manager because the level of complexity of many of the assigned projects is high, which is defined by a number of factors including (but not limited to):
- Engagement of participants: a large number of participants with a wide variety of professional, personal, and lived experiences and overall challenges related to engaging those participants, and the intersection of multiple racial groups, cultures, and languages.
- Dynamics of the situation: situations with high levels of conflict and low levels of trust.
- Cross-sector: situations involving participants from multiple sectors.
- Scope/duration: long term project(s) with multiple committees.
- Political sensitivity and visibility: either because of the issues or participants involved, there is a high level of political sensitivity and visibility.
- Role: contract negotiation, managing the budget and scope and assuming responsibility for project design, implementation and management.
- May participate in applied research and training.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree and 7 years of related experience or a Master’s or advanced professional degree with 5 years of related work experience.
- Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
- Demonstrated expertise in facilitating, mediating, or leading collaborative and/or public engagement processes to address public policy issues or community-based issues.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships involving considerable tact and diplomacy with public officials, private organizations, advocates, contractors, other PSU employees, and the public.
- Demonstrated team and/or organizational leadership ability; is a self-starter, comfortable taking initiative, handling responsibilities, and able to manage many tasks, people, and projects at the same time.
- Proficiency with word processing and spreadsheet software, internet usage, and electronic communications.
- 4 years’ experience developing and managing complex contracts and project budgets.
- Understanding of the concepts of Institutional and structural racism and bias and their impact on historically excluded communities and a commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
- Experience working with and in communities that have traditionally been left out of public decision-making.
- Valid State-issued driver’s license.
Preferred Qualifications
- 5 year’s experience working with government agencies at the state, regional, and/or local level or equivalent experience.
- Demonstrated experience working with community members and leaders from both urban and rural settings.
- Strong understanding of public decision-making processes related to a variety of disciplines including knowledge of and experience with administrative processes, regulations, bureaucracies, and tribal governments.
- Knowledge of business and non-profit needs and resources.
- Strong analytical and problem solving skills on difficult and complex projects and/or public policy issues.
- Demonstrated ability to function effectively in highly contentious situations and in that role, see all sides of controversial issues.
- At least 7 years of experience in project management, with responsibility for building and maintaining contracts and complex budgets.
- Ability to assess public conflicts, problems, and or opportunities, and design appropriate collaborative process.
- Experience securing community participation in public decision making, deliberation, and problem solving through relationship-building, coordinating communications, among other actions.
- Fluency in more than one language.
Key Cultural Competencies
- Creates an environment that acknowledges, encourages and celebrates differences.
- Functions and communicates effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities and cultural backgrounds.
- Seeks opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement
- Adheres to all PSU’s policies including the policies on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct.
Environmental Stewardship
Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long-term sustainability goals.
Work Days/Hours40 hours per week and a hybrid work optionTotal Compensation Range & Benefits Statement
Salary is dependent on several factors, and new employees will typically start around the Q1 level to allow for later growth within the salary band. PSU has a structured process for determining starting compensation, taking into account years of related experience, applicable skills, knowledge and abilities, market parity, and internal equity.
The starting annual salary for this position will be between $64,488 and $84,876, but may be negotiated above this range dependent upon the factors above, the budget of the hiring department, and approval from HR.
We also offer an excellent benefits package includes 95% premium paid healthcare; a generous retirement and vacation package; and greatly reduced tuition rates for employee, spouse or dependent at any of the Oregon University System schools : https://www.pdx.edu/human-resources/benefits-overview
Please visit our total compensation calculator to see the full value of our benefits package : https://www.pdx.edu/human-resources/psu-total-compensation-calculator
Posting Close DateProjected Close Date for PostingOpen Until Finalists IdentifiedApplication screening begins03/26/2024Quick Linkhttps://jobs.hrc.pdx.edu/postings/44408
Supplemental Questions Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
- * What is your highest degree earned?
(Open Ended Question)
- * Please name the specific field/discipline in which you received your degree.
(Open Ended Question)
- * How did you first find out about this position?
- PSU Website
- Indeed.com
- HERCJobs
- Urban League of Portland
- Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber
- Oregon Employment Department
- Social Media
- Person Referral
- Career Builder
- Glass Door
- Other - Please describe in the next Question
- If you selected Other, please describe.
(Open Ended Question)
Applicant Documents Required Documents- Resume
- Cover Letter
- Professional References
Optional Documents
PI239294976
