Community Affairs Business Partner

Community Affairs Business Partner

Salary

$98,000.00 - $157,000.00 Annually

Location

Port of Portland Headquarters - 7200 NE Airport Way, Portland 97218, OR

Job Type

Full-Time Administrative

Job Number

02239

Division

Public Affairs

Department

Shared Prosperity Office

Opening Date

06/05/2026

Closing Date

6/28/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

FLSA

Exempt

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

The Position

The Port of Portland is hiring for two Community Affairs Business Partners!

As a Community Affairs Business Partner, you will serve as a trusted advisor and connector between the Port and the communities impacted by our work. In this role, you will partner closely with Port leaders, project teams, and community members to shape and implement meaningful engagement strategies, anticipate emerging issues, elevate opportunities for partnership, and build understanding around complex initiatives.

Two positions are being filled through this recruitment, with one supporting Aviation projects and the other supporting Trade and Economic Development projects. Both roles work collaboratively with our Outreach and Education staff to deliver impactful programs and engagement efforts. One position may also have the opportunity to supervise a graduate-level intern to support projects and help develop the next generation of public engagement professionals.

Who we are:

With our three airports, three operating marine terminals, and six business parks, the Port of Portland is an economic engine for transforming this region into a place where everyone is welcome, empowered, and connected to the opportunity to find a good job or grow their business.

What youll get:

We offer a flexible hybrid schedule that supports work-life balance while encouraging in-person collaboration. Team members are generally expected to be in the office up to three days per week, with specific days subject to change based on operational needs. PLUS, our office overlooks the beautiful Mt Hood, you get the opportunity to watch planes take off, and so much more...

Essential Job Duties

Driving Project Success

• Serves as a strategic advisor to project teams across assigned division(s), ensuring community engagement is integrated early and meaningfully into project planning and decision-making.
• Develops a deep understanding of project goals, timelines, risks, and potential community impacts, and advises on how engagement strategies can strengthen outcomes.
• Leads the development of community engagement plans, tools and templates for key projects and initiatives.
• Provides insights into policy and regulatory initiatives at the state, federal and local levels.
• Delivers public-facing engagements such as hearings, open houses, and community meetings, ensuring they are equipped to respond to questions, manage tension, and communicate clearly.
• Provides insights about public opinion and community affairs counsel to business line partners on key projects and objectives.
• Connects Port business line and shared department staff to relevant engagement, outreach and education opportunities within the community.
• Manages consultants supporting facilitation, outreach activities, translation and other project related needs.

Outreach and Community Partnerships

• Supports educating the public on the role and impact of the Port of Portland in the region.

• Works with community-based organizations and Port leaders to identify community priorities and opportunities to incorporate them into Port initiatives.

• Represents the Port in public venues, on committees and during other highly visible public events.

• In collaboration with internal partners, owns key relationships and collaborates with community members, policy advocates and intergovernmental stakeholders.

• Gathers community feedback as needed from appropriate stakeholder interests, especially communities who have historically been excluded or are disproportionately impacted by the Port's operations.

• May serve on external councils, coalitions, committees or other groups.

• Serves as main point of contact for specific partners or organizations.

• May lead on special projects or initiatives in partnership with community groups or partner agencies.

Community Impact Portfolio

• Supports broad program development including the evaluation and improvement of Port outreach practices and tools, strategic sponsorships, memberships, etc.
• Provides counsel for Port leadership in community outreach and engagement.
• Lead and support trainings, workshops and professional development opportunities for and in partnership with staff and community partners.
• May represent the team on internal councils, committees or other groups.
• Manages and implement other activities supporting shared prosperity goals and objectives.
• Coach, review work, and mentor lower-level staff and interns.

Risk Management

• Collaborates with Communications, Government Affairs and Legal & Shared Prosperity to identify and mitigate community, political, and reputational risks and respond to politically sensitive public inquiries.
• Advises on high-sensitivity topics such as environmental impacts and business disruption, as well as ensuring compliance with regulatory and accessibility requirements.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Bachelors degree in Public Administration, Urban Planning, Community Development, Urban & Public Affairs, Communications, Social Science, Political Science, Environmental Science, or related field.
• Masters degree preferred, but not required. We are most interested in any combination of experience and education that prepares candidates to perform the essential functions of the role.
• Minimum six (6) years experience in supporting public involvement or community engagement efforts, ideally within a public agency, nonprofit, or consulting environment.
• Demonstrated ability to provide high-quality service through a consultative approach, build and maintain strong relationships with community partners, and represent organizational priorities clearly and credibly in public settings.
• Effective in navigating diverse stakeholder perspectives and advancing inclusive, community-centered outcomes.

Demonstrated Skills & Knowledge:

• Demonstrate commitment to valuing differences among individuals and a passion for being inclusive.
• Focus on safety improvements and comply with safety and health policies and procedures.
• Show the utmost respect for others and act as a team player.
• Work in politically charged settings, adapt to ambiguous and changing environments.
• Title VI (Civil Rights) and Title II (ADA) applied in public involvement, including language access.
• Facilitation, training and/or coaching.
• Qualitative and quantitative research strategies and reporting (surveys, focus groups, etc.).
• Conflict resolution and de-escalation.
• Senior in:
• Demonstrated strong written and oral communication, including public speaking and presentation.
• Provide input on questions of strategy, engagement, and communication methods.
• Develop and implement inclusive engagement and project plans.
• Build, coordinate and participate in committees and coalitions.
• Key community stakeholders as well as best and emerging practices in community relations and policy development.
• Working knowledge of local public involvement regulations (e.g., comprehensive planning, public noticing, Oregon public meetings law).

Supplemental and Selection Information

OPTIONAL Informational Session:

To assist you in understanding this position and the recruitment process, we will offer an Optional Information Session that will provide you with details about the open positions. You are not required to attend to apply for this recruitment. You are welcome to join us on Wednesday, June 24th, 2026, at 12:00 - 1:00 PM virtually.

To attend the session, please register using the link below. Please note that participants will not be able to see or interact with one another during the session. All questions will be submitted anonymously through the Q&A feature, and responses will be shared with the group.

To register, please copy and paste this link to your browser: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Hmm8D8F8T7y59nQgt0HyGw

Selection Process: (tentative schedule):

• Applications will be accepted through June 28, 2026. A minimum qualification evaluation of education, training, and experience for submitted application packets will be conducted by Human Resources the week of: June 29.

• A Subject Matter Expert (SME) Panel will perform an evaluation of experience and training taken from your employment application materials.

• Our goal is to schedule virtual first round of interviews with candidates who successfully passed the SME evaluation by early to mid-July; followed by a second round of panel interviews.

About us:

At the Port of Portland, we use everything we have - our three airports, three working marine terminals, six business parks, and all the resources, expertise, and experience behind them - to move with purpose, connecting people with powerful opportunities and creating value for our region. We know that every person we hire, business we work with, contract we sign and decision we make is a chance to make someone's life better. And we'll use our power and influence to unlock new opportunities and ensure more people share in our region's success. With YOUR help - together with our partners, customers, and community - we'll help drive meaningful change!

Do you have questions about this job?

Contact us: careers@portofportland.com

Safety: The Port promotes safety as a Core value and we seek to eliminate harm through a culture of active prevention, curiosity, evaluation, and action. We comply with safety and health policies and procedures and consistently look for improvements that support operational excellence.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Port of Portland is dedicated to maintaining and improving a work environment, which extends equal opportunity to all individuals, regardless of their race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability or sexual orientation. Employment decisions shall be made in such a manner as to further the principle of equal employment opportunity and to comply with state, federal and local laws. We affirm through this policy statement our continuing commitment to the principles of nondiscrimination.

Veterans Preference: Under Oregon law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Port of Portland positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veteran's preference for this job, please provide the qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

Background Checks and Drug Testing: The Port of Portland will conduct background checks and/or drug tests for positions where such tests are required by regulation and for other safety-sensitive positions.

ADA Accommodation: Accommodations will be considered for applicants or candidates with a qualifying disability that prevents them from participating in this process. Accommodations will be made where the Port can reasonably do so without imposing an undue hardship on the business or compromising the integrity of the recruitment process. An applicant with any disability who believes that they need an accommodation should contact Human Resources: call 503-415-6690 or email careers@portofportland.com.

Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal

https://www.eeoc.gov/know-your-rights-workplace-discrimination-illegal

At the Port of Portland, we strive to offer a holistic and comprehensive benefits package for employees and their families. We care about your health by offering highly-subsidized healthcare plans that include alternative care. We look out for you and for family by paying for life and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, short-term and long-term disability coverage. We participate in the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) retirement program. We provide access to additional coverage and benefits including pre-tax spending accounts, voluntary term life insurance, a deferred compensation plan, and critical illness and accident insurance policies.

We go above and beyond by offering an award-winning wellness program for all employees to engage in. Employees can tend to their physical and mental health, earn rewards, and create community. Our employee assistance program supports the Port's commitment to emotional and mental well-being by providing mental health services, discounts on local gyms, and pet insurance for companions.

Our commitment to work-life balance ensures you have time to spend with loved ones and do the things you enjoy. We offer generous vacation time that accrues with length of service, sick leave that never expires and can be used for dependent care, health maintenance and mental health, and 8 weeks of paid parental leave - all in addition to 10 paid holidays. As an added bonus - because we know employees use their time off differently - once a year we give employees the opportunity to convert sick leave to personal leave, and to convert vacation leave to either cash, a retirement plan contribution, or a contribution to a Health Savings Account.

Please note: Some benefits vary by job type/group, so please be sure to review your comprehensive benefit guide and/or collective bargaining agreement upon hire to confirm what is available to you.

01

Do you have particular experience or interest in Aviation, Trade & Economic Development, both, or neither? Please briefly explain.

02

What experience has best prepared you to serve as a strategic advisor and partner to project teams, leaders, or clients?

Required Question

Employer Port of Portland

Address 7200 NE Airport Way

Portland, Oregon, 97218

Website https://www.portofportland.com/Careers