Community Affairs Business Partner

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.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.

• 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).

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.

Selection Process: (tentative schedule):

1. 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.

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

3. 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