Community Researcher Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $30.24 Hourly
Location : Planning & Sustainability, 1810 SW 5th Ave #710, Portland, OR
Job Type: Casual
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2026-00709
Bureau: Bureau of Planning and Sustainability
Opening Date: 08/10/2026
Closing Date: 8/24/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
The Position
Job Appointment: Casual
Work Schedule: Approximately 25-30 hours per week. Casual positions may not exceed 1400 hours per calendar year.
Work Location: This position reports to the Vanport Building 1810 SW 5th Ave, Portland, OR.
Union Representation: Non-Represented
Position Summary:
The Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF) team at the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS) is seeking a Capacity Building and Grantmaking Program Intern (Community Service Aide II). The Capacity Building and Grantmaking Program Intern will provide research, administrative, and coordination support for a combination of internal and external facing responsibilities.
This position is designed to provide hands-on experience in nonprofit capacity building, public sector grantmaking, organizational development, and community centered climate investments. The intern will contribute to meaningful projects while gaining exposure to program design, stakeholder engagement, research, evaluation, and public administrative practices.
Role & Responsibilities
The primary focus of the position will be supporting PCEF's Capacity Building and Grantmaking program with research, administrative, and coordination support they implement a new capacity building program for nonprofit organizations (Strategic Program 10) and improve PCEF's community grant program.

• Administrative Support. Assist with office tasks such as formatting documents to meet accessibility standards, preparing meeting materials, preparing detailed notes, scheduling, and supporting event or meeting planning and execution including community-based organization cohort program activities.
• Research and Data Analysis. Collect and analyze data from surveys or other grant data. collection, supporting documentation of processes, and formatting documents to meet accessibility standards.
• Implementing Independent Project. Design and implement an independent project related to capacity building or grantmaking program goals and the individual's academic or professional interests.
• Process Support and Improvement. Assist with identifying and implementing program process improvements and support internal workflows to support grantmaking or accessing capacity building service providers by maintaining tracking information in the system.
• Team Participation. Participate in professional development opportunities including meetings with PCEF staff, grantmaking staff, community partners, service providers, and nonprofit leaders to better understand capacity building, climate action, and public sector funding systems.

This position presents an opportunity for an emerging leader interested in the public or nonprofit sector to design and experiment with creative strategies for process improvement and capacity building in addition to gaining skills in the areas of program design, stakeholder engagement, research, evaluation, and public sector practices.
About the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund:As a first-in-the-nation community-led climate fund, PCEF's mission is to fulfill a vision that builds resilience and quality jobs with proactive steps to fight climate change while advancing social, economic, and environmental justice. For more information on this innovative program, please visit the .
About the Bureau
The Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS) is a leader in land use planning, climate action, environmental stewardship, and urban design. BPS centers racial equity in its work and is dedicated to creating a Portland that is more equitable, healthy, prosperous, and resilient. The bureau oversees a world-renowned system and leads the U.S. in its commitment to Staff collaborate with partners on planning and provide research, policy and technical services to advance energy, as well as policies and actions to
BPS values a diverse workforce and seeks ways to promote equity and inclusion within the organization. We encourage candidates with knowledge, ability and experience working with a broad range of individuals and diverse communities to apply. Although not required, BPS encourages candidates that can fluently speak more than one language to include that information in your resume. BPS offers an excellent benefits package, flexible work schedules and support for training and skills development in a positive, engaging, and creative work environment.
Virtual Zoom Meet & Greet Opportunity
Come meet the hiring manager and the senior recruiter! We'll be talking about the position duties and responsibilities, day to day life in the role, review the announcement, discuss how to apply, and answer questions you may have about the position.
Day: Thursday, August 13, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM Pacific
Registration Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/0p_We19-TAOjo_FPw28drA#/registration
To Qualify
The following minimum qualifications are required for this position:

1. Ability to support small research assignments including online research, gathering and organizing data, simple data analysis, and summarizing information.
2. Ability to organize and track multiple projects, tasks, and information.
3. Ability to work in a team environment and manage time to complete tasks and meet deadlines.
4. Ability to plan and manage events in virtual and in-person environments.
5. Ability to work collaboratively with people from different backgrounds, values, and professional responsibilities, and/or experience working in a multi-cultural setting.

Education/Experience Requirements:

• Must be enrolled in an accredited college or university; OR have completed an associate or bachelor's degree within the last 6 months; OR have at least two years of experience in public administration or nonprofit administration.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with, or a personal connection to, groups or neighborhoods that have historically been underserved in climate or energy programs.

The Recruitment Process
How to Apply:

• Submit your resume and responses to supplemental questions by the closing date.
• (Optional) Submit Veterans' Preference documents, if applicable.
  If this is your first time applying with the City of Portland, or if you haven't requested veteran preference before (and would like to now), please attach your DD214-Member 4 and/or VA Benefit Letter to your application. Once we verify your eligibility, we'll record your veteran preference in our system, so it automatically applies to your future applications.

What to Expect:

1. Application Review - (Week of August 24): We'll review your application materials to ensure you meet the minimum qualifications listed above.
2. Notice/Feedback - (Week of August 31): You will receive an email when the minimum qualification review is complete. If you disagree with the evaluation results, you may request a review within 14 days of the email notice, per
3. Selection Process - (Early September): The hiring bureau will review qualified applications, conduct interviews, and check references.
4. Conditional Job Offer - (Mid-September): Final candidates may undergo a background or driving record check, depending on the position.

Additional Information
Learn More About:
We're committed to providing a fair, inclusive, and accessible hiring process. If you need assistance with your application or would like to request a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, pregnancy, or religious belief, please contact the recruiter listed below.
Questions? We're here to help!If you have questions about this recruitment or need assistance, contact:
Tamela Ressler, Senior Recruiter
Bureau of Human Resources
This summary outlines the benefit programs, actual benefits may vary depending on bargaining unit and employment status.
The City of Portland offers a comprehensive benefit package that is competitive with other private and public sector employers.
More detailed information can be obtained by calling the Health & Financial Benefits Office at 503-823-6031.
Health Care (Medical, Vision and Dental)
Casual employees can become eligible for health benefits (medical, dental & vision) through Affordable Care Act (ACA) employer provisions if they meet the necessary paid hours requirement, as determined by the Health & Financial Benefits Office.
Retirement
Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP)
The City currently pays the employee's share of the retirement contribution.
Employees who are OPSRP members are vested after five years of contributions or when they reach age 65 (age 60 for police and fire.)
Sick Leave
Casual employees accrue sick leave as outlined in the City of Portland protected sick time law.
Family Medical Leave
In accordance with federal and state law, and the City policy for family medical leave, the City grants family and medical leave to eligible employees for certain family and medical related reasons.
01
Thank you for considering joining the City of Portland. We sincerely value your time and hope to make your application experience as positive as possible.
The following supplemental questions are an important step in the examination and selection process to assist us in determining if you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities to succeed in the posted vacancy.
A lack of a complete and thorough response to each of the supplemental questions in the space provided may result in disqualification from the examination. In addition, the selections you make and responses you provide in the questionnaire must accurately reflect what is documented in your resume.
Have you read and understood the information listed above?

• Yes
• No - If you have any questions, please contact the recruiter on the announcement.

02
Where did you first learn about this job opportunity? (If on a website or job board, please specify which one)
03
The City of Portland sometimes gets requests for public records. Please choose the response that best fits your preference:
(Your choice will not affect your application process.)

• I want my application to stay private. I understand that the City of Portland will keep my information confidential unless required to share it by law.
• I allow my application to be shared. I understand that by choosing this option, my information is no longer private.

04
Please indicate which of the following education or experience options you currently meet:

• I am enrolled in an accredited college or university
• I have completed an associate or bachelor's degree within the last 6 months
• I have at least 2 years of experience in public administration or nonprofit administration
• None of the above.

05
Minimum Qualification 1: Provide an example of a small research task you completed, such as online research, gathering data, organizing information, or performing simple analysis. What was the purpose of the research, and how did you present your findings? (Please limit your response to 1-2 paragraphs)
06
Minimum Qualification 2: Describe a time when you were responsible for organizing and tracking multiple projects or tasks at once. What tools or methods did you use, and how did you ensure timely completion? (Please limit your response to 1-2 paragraphs)
07
Minimum Qualification 3: Give an example of how you have worked effectively in a team environment while managing your own time and deadlines. What strategies helped you stay on track and support the team's goals?
08
Minimum Qualification 4: Describe a time when you managed an event, either virtual or in-person. What were your responsibilities, and how did you ensure the event was well-coordinated and successful? (Please limit your response to 1-2 paragraphs)
09
Minimum Qualification 5: Share an example of when you worked collaboratively with people from different backgrounds, values, or professional roles, or in a multicultural setting. How did you build effective working relationships and ensure inclusive communication? (Please limit your response to 1-2 paragraphs)
10
Preferred Qualification: Although not required for this position, please provide details for any of the following preferred qualifications. Information provided in this section will not be considered during the minimum qualification review.Do you have experience working with, or a personal connection to, groups or neighborhoods that have historically been underserved in climate or energy programs? If yes, please briefly describe your experience or connection.
Required Question