Parks & Nature Director

Are you greater Portland’s next great parks and nature leader?

In the greater Portland region, nature is a big part of who we are. The natural world creates an iconic setting for family photographs, weekend walks, computer screensavers, tourist guidebooks and national news coverage.

For one visionary leader, it will also provide a once-in-a-career opportunity: serving as the director of Metro’s Parks and Nature Department.

A new director will guide the future of Metro’s work to protect clean water, restore fish and wildlife habitat, and connect people with nature close to home.

Metro manages 17,000 acres of public land — from expansive forests to sensitive wetlands, suburban trails to historic cemeteries, beloved destinations to new nature parks. Over the past two decades, voters have created this unique park system by passing two bond measures to protect the landscape and two levies to make the most of it.

Under a new director, the Parks and Nature Department must deliver on commitments to voters, build public trust and guide the future of Metro’s park system. That means expanding on a legacy of natural resource conservation while opening more sites for people to enjoy.

We’re looking for somebody with the skills and experience to develop strong partnerships, making sure Metro complements greater Portland’s broader network of parks, trails and natural areas. At Metro, you would lead and inspire a team of 90 talented staff. The director oversees land acquisition, maintenance and restoration, as well as park planning, operations and programming, trails planning, community grants and partnerships.

This is a time of great transformation, with voter investments translating to significant new habitat restoration, park openings and visitor improvements. The director must show leadership in fulfilling Metro’s commitment to equity, guiding the changes and investments necessary to serve the region’s diverse communities.

This position reports directly to Metro’s Chief Operating Officer and serves as a member of the executive management team. As part of that group, you would play an essential role in advancing Metro’s mission: making a great place.

The only elected regional government in the United States, Metro provides services that cross city limits and county lines, such as land use and transportation planning, garbage and recycling systems, and regional venues such as the Oregon Zoo, Oregon Convention Center and Portland’5 Centers for the Arts. Metro’s growing parks and nature system is at the heart of our work.

When you’re not busy leading a world-class park and natural areas system, you’ll get to experience the Portland metropolitan area as a resident. The region is nestled between the Oregon coast and Mount Hood, a short trip away from many hiking, biking, camping, fishing and skiing opportunities. Home to robust high-tech and sports apparel industries, our community offers a choice of many distinct cities and neighborhoods.

Come see why we have an international reputation for coffee, beer, bridges, books, rain and produce. And, of course, parks and nature.

At Metro, we 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.

Application requirements

1) Electronic application, 2) answers to supplemental questions, 3) resume and 4) cover letter describing your qualifications as they relate to the duties of this position.

Essential Job Duties:
An employee in this position must be able to perform all of the essential job duties listed below with or without reasonable accommodation; however, this list is not intended to include all of the specific tasks which an employee in this position may be expected to perform.

Direct and lead the activities of the Parks and Nature Department, including determining and setting strategic direction, developing policies and establishing priorities, evaluating and integrating programs and establishing policies, procedures, systems and standards to ensure efficient and effective department operations that align with the organization’s goals

Provide exemplary leadership and management to accomplish department goals, objectives and strategies and ensure effective and efficient operations

Direct short-range and long-range plans to ensure effective and efficient operations, assess needs and prioritize resources to move the department forward to meet its goals

Direct site and regional system planning and oversee the development of a comprehensive system plan for the portfolio of parks, properties and natural areas

Plan, organize, direct and evaluate the performance of managers, supervisors or leads reporting to the director and their assigned staff; provide full supervision over management, professional, administrative, and technical positions with primary responsibility for hiring, promoting, transferring, assigning, evaluating performance, initiating salary action, handling grievances, disciplining, and discharging employees

Through a collaborative approach, develop and maintain partnerships with public and private sector interests including local jurisdictions, state agencies, non-profit organizations, corporations and others

Oversee and support department’s implementation of the Strategic Plan to Advance Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Promote respect for diversity, equity and inclusion as a key organizational value through leadership and decision making process

Provide department support to effectively work cross-culturally

Develop and implement the department budget and oversee department accounts, contracts and financial issues

Direct the resolution of inquiries, complaints, problems or emergencies affecting the availability or quality of services respond directly to the most sensitive or complex inquiries or complaints

Work closely and effectively with Metro’s executive management team to keep them informed of parks and natural areas issues and to collaboratively address issues and initiatives with organization- wide impacts

Establish and maintain effective communications with the Chief Operating Officer, Deputy Chief Operating Officer, executive management team, and Metro Council regarding department direction, performance and progress of programs and projects

Ensure that departmental activities are aligned with departmental and agency priorities

Provide guidance and oversight to ensure full compliance with regulations, standards and other guidelines related to the department’s mission and work

Understand, advise on and communicate detailed and complex technical concepts and analytical findings

Effectively summarize key information to provide a relevant and understandable message to decision makers and clients and present and promote departmental services and demonstrate their value to the agency and region

Perform related duties as assigned

Metro organizes its positions into classifications. Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions. This position falls under the Director classification (click to read the full classification).

Minimum Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree in business or public administration, natural resource management, parks management or a directly related field

Eight to ten years of progressively responsible management experience with responsibility for strategic planning, budgeting, personnel management, collaborative culture building and operational planning

Experience advancing equity through leadership and management practices (volunteer and advocacy work will be considered)

May be met through any combination of education and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Executive-level knowledge of:
Principles, protocols and legal requirements applicable to parks, natural areas and natural resource management

Fiscal management, including budget preparation and expenditure control

Management principles, leadership and practices of effective supervision and collaborative culture building

Business systems and management tools

Working cross-culturally to make parks and nature experiences accessible to diverse communities

Skill to:
Analyze and evaluate operations and implement corrective action

Effectively lead people, projects and resources to achieve objectives and goals

Set an overall department vision and guide a department

Ability to:
Think and lead strategically and manage effectively in a political environment

Cultivate and maintain effective positive and effective working relationships with elected officials, the public and stakeholders, even when working on sensitive and complex issues

Resolve conflicting interests; demonstrate respect for competing views while still making a decision and moving divergent groups forward

Effectively supervise and provide direction to staff as well as foster a culture of empowerment

Communicate successfully with Metro leaders, elected officials, the media, the public and various community and stakeholder groups

Lead by example and foster the development of Metro employee values of public service, excellence, teamwork, respect, innovation and sustainability.

Personal attributes

Integrity, impeccable ethics and values

Behavioral acuity and political acumen to understand and operate within complex organizational structures

Commitment to and passion for cultivating diversity, advancing equity and practicing inclusion both personally and as a leader

Tactful, diplomatic, trust- and relationship- builder; approachable and team-oriented, with good active listening skills and a high degree of emotional intelligence

Ability to motivate and engage employees, volunteers and other stakeholders towards a compelling vision for the future

Values transparency in decision making; seeks input and thoughts from variety of team members to help guide decisions

Strong verbal and written skills and the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse group of stakeholders; including the ability to facilitate open discussions and foster honesty and transparency

Values professional development and cultivates leadership in team members throughout the department through message and action

Willingness to be bold, innovative and take informed risks

Welcoming, enthusiastic, engaging storyteller to effectively represent Metro

Additional Information:
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 at 503-797-1570.

Representation/classification: This position is not represented and falls under the Director classification.

Public Employees Retirement System (PERS): New employees will pay the employee 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.

Criminal background checks: In order to protect the well-being of its employees, the public and agency assets, Metro may conduct criminal background checks on candidates selected for Metro positions. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude employment and will be considered on a case by case basis. A background check will only be conducted if you are selected as a finalist for a position. If selected as a finalist, you will be contacted by Human Resources prior to the initiation of a background check.

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, 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.

An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer