Program Manager of Master Recycler Program
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Salary
$80,704.00 - $108,160.00 Annually
Location
Portland, OR
Job Type
Full Time
Department
Waste Prevention and Environmental Services
Job Number
2022-0079-WPES-3
Closing
7/6/2022 5:00 PM Pacific
Position summary
*This position is pending Counsel approval.*
Metro is looking for an experienced program manager to manage and administer the regional Master Recycler program. The program manager will carry out program design and development, ongoing operations and evaluation. This position carries out policies and procedures focusing on advancing Metro’s 2030 Regional Waste Plan (Download PDF reader), Strategic Plan to Advance Racial Equity (Download PDF reader) and best practices in behavior change, volunteer development, community engagement and education pedagogies. Collaborative leadership, analytical and organizational skills are used to partner with internal and external teams, local governments and community-based organizations. This position provides lead direction to other professional staff and peers.
The Master Recycler program is a community engagement and volunteer development program focused on sustainable consumption, climate protection, environmental justice, food waste reduction, toxics reduction, composting and recycling. Its purpose is to create a pool of knowledgeable community members who do outreach and inspire others in their community to consume sustainably in the home, work and other places they may have influence. The program has a strong focus on working alongside BIPOC-led community partners.
Each year, the program manager coordinates and leads three 7-week training courses, one in Multnomah County, one in Washington County and one in Clackamas County. Typically, each 7-week county course consists of seven weekday evenings from 6-9 pm and two Saturdays from 8 am – 2 pm. Equipped with outreach techniques and resources, graduates commit to 30 hours of community engagement. Master Recyclers volunteer at local events, on programs with community partners and through individual projects. They receive ongoing training, resources, and technical support to help them reach their goals. These standard course offerings attract participants from diverse backgrounds and a wide range of lived experiences.
The Master Recycler Program also conducts the Community-Designed version of the program, which is the 7-week training and education portion of the Environmental Promoter Program. In typical years, the program manager coordinates and leads two of these courses. This program provides resources, training, a workforce, and project development for community-driven initiatives. Specific communities come together as a group and design sustainability projects that meet their own goals and aspirations. The program prioritizes community-based organizations led by Black, Indigenous and People of Color, low-income and linguistically-isolated communities. Partners such as Metro and local governments provide funds to remove barriers and support community-led initiatives. They often also initiate potential partnerships.
This is an exciting time for the Master Recycler program. Metro has agreed to host this popular program after being housed at the City of Portland for the past 16+ years. Metro is excited to be taking that step this summer and will be supported in that transition by the current program manager who is retiring but will be working part time as a contractor with Metro for a few months. The new program manager of the Master Recycler program under Metro will report to the Education and Youth Leadership manager under the Community Services and Education division of Metro’s Waste Prevention and Environmental Services department. While this position does not directly supervise staff, it will provide lead direction to and be supported by a program assistant who supports the Community Services and Education division.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are important to Metro. The program manager of the Master Recycler program will foster a culture among staff that appreciates and values diversity and welcomes individuals from all backgrounds and walks of life. These values are also critical to the program’s efforts to engage and effectively collaborate with a number of organizations and individuals outside of the agency including community based organizations, local jurisdictions and industry.
As the Program Manager of Master Recycler Program you will:
Develop and implement goals, objectives, strategies, policies, procedures and processes to advance Master Recycler and related community volunteer programs; develop, evaluate, and implement program revisions to improve practices and achieve agency and regional local government and community partner objectives.
Build strategic relationships with program stakeholders including community leaders, other governmental colleagues, internal organizational stakeholders and volunteers, to advance volunteer development, racial equity and solid waste resource management goals and outcomes, identify funding sources and leverage resources. Convene, lead and participate in interagency and interdisciplinary committees tasked with regional development and implementation of volunteer programming.
Plan and conduct multiple Master Recycler and Community-Designed volunteer development and training courses annually in English and Spanish, with Spanish-language assistance coming from colleagues and community/local government partners as needed. Manage all program logistics. Select, train and supervise Master Recycler Mentors who are volunteers.
Review and develop educational content, tools and strategies to support ongoing volunteer education and development while ensuring compliance with regional and state solid waste policies.
Serve as primary point of contact for Master Recycler and related programming. Develop communication strategies and tools to advance and clarify program objectives including online resources (website and social media), monthly blog and newsletters. Respond to public inquiries and concerns. Serve as subject matter expert for media.
Conduct ongoing evaluation of volunteer programming, identify potential obstacles to achieving outcomes and recommend new approaches as needed. Solicit public and partner input; adapt program as appropriate. Collect and analyze a variety of complex data to support program objectives including volunteer service data, program outcomes and certification progress.
Develop, implement and monitor annual budget. Manage contracts including publishing, bilingual and translation services.
Attributes for Success:
Builds and maintains positive relationships and contributes to a positive team atmosphere; engages others in ways that foster respect and trust.
Encourages and appreciates diversity in people and ideas – seeks to understand the perspectives of others.
Provides excellent customer service – assists the public, public officials and agency partners, and other employees in a professional and courteous manner with the goal of meeting or exceeding expectations.
Practices continuous improvement – researches new possibilities, contributes ideas and stays current in field of work.
Leads program, engagement, behavior change and education strategies with initiative, independence, cultural competence, awareness of intergovernmental and community sensitivities, and best practices around materials management and environmental psychology.
Possesses strong project management and writing skills and a keen understanding of strategic communication best practices for public-facing messaging.
Diversity and inclusion: At Metro, we’re committed to hiring a workforce representative of the communities we serve, recognizing that a diverse workforce strengthens our organization. We invest in employees by supporting equitable and inclusive hiring practices, employee policies and training programs.
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.
Minimum Qualifications:
Four years of experience in program management, inside or outside of the waste reduction and sustainability field AND
A Bachelor’s Degree ; OR
Any combination of education and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the classification duties and responsibilities.
Special Requirements
A valid driver's license.
Driving Record Check: The candidate selected for the position will need to pass a Driving Record check prior to being hired. Speeding tickets do not necessarily preclude employment and will be evaluated on a case by case basis.
COVID-19 vaccination requirement:
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. This proof will be requested during the hiring process.
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 this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply:
If I was terminated for cause during any of my employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, I understand I may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.
Like to have qualifications:
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. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position.
Strong collaborative leadership skills and a demonstrated ability to form and maintain partnerships, lead groups, and to work effectively with others to achieve a common goal.
Program and project management principles and techniques.
Strong understanding of strategic communication best practices for public-facing messaging.
Strong understanding of equity, diversity and inclusion practices especially in volunteer management.
Ability to speak and communicate bilingually in English and Spanish and/or proven cross-cultural communications competencies.
Work location:
The majority of work will be split between an office environment and a community-based setting. The office environment may include a home office or a bookable office space at Metro Regional Center which is located at 600 NE Grand Avenue in Portland. Community-based settings include meeting rooms in local government office spaces as well as community-based organization meeting rooms across the tri-county region. Mileage reimbursement is available for personal car use and Metro fleet vehicles are available as well.
Working conditions or environment:
While this position’s schedule often remains consistent, the employee will be expected to work multiple evening and weekend shifts annually in order to support volunteer training and service activities. Frequent reaching, walking, standing, lifting, stooping, or carrying of equipment and materials may be required. The individual in this position may be required to lift and carry up to 40 pounds. Tools and equipment includes office technology and software (ranging from Microsoft suite to remote teaching tools), presentation equipment such as video and sound systems, and education equipment/manipulatives such as tabletop displays, educational kits and interactive games.
COMPENSATION AND REPRESENTATION
Based on the Oregon Pay Equity Act , our internal equity review process, and the candidates qualifications the appointment will typically be made between $80,704 -$93,412.80. The full-salary range for this position is $80,704 - $108,160 annually.
This position is not eligible for overtime, it's represented by AFSME 3580 and is classified as a Program Manager (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.
SCREENING AND EVALUATION
The application packet: The application packet consists of the following documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete; missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application that will not be moved forward in the recruitment.
(1) A completed online application
(2) A cover letter detailing the following items:
Why you think you would be a good candidate for this position. How your experience (e.g., volunteering, community service, selective service, transferable skills, workshops, conferences, lived experience, etc.) provided you with the knowledge, skills and abilities relating to this position.
What experiences have shaped your views on diversity, equity and inclusion and how those experiences have benefitted your work thus far and how they would shape your work at Metro.
The selection process: We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows. The selection process is subject to change.
Initial review of minimum qualifications
In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
Consideration of top candidates/interviews
Reference check
Driving records check for finalist candidate
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.
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.