Program Assistant Jobs in Oregon (NOW HIRING)

Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) is looking for a Community Gardens Program Assistant to join the dynamic team at the Portland Community Gardens Program. Job Appointment: Casual Work Schedule: 24-30 hours/week. Must also be available during weeknights and/or Saturdays for occasional outreach events. This role will work with their supervisor to determine their schedule. Work Location: The role will report to Portland Parks & Recreation's Tabor Yard Facility located at 6437 SE Division St., Portland, OR 97206 Starting Pay: Hourly range for this role is $20.00-$25.00, dependent on experience.

Position Summary: The Portland Community Gardens Program is seeking a Program Assistant to support and maintain robust connections with our City's diverse population of gardeners. This role will work closely with other program staff to assist with program registration, complete data entry tasks, and share important communication (via email, text messages, and phone calls) with our clients. The Community Gardens Program Assistant will also help with special administrative projects, as needed.

The Program Assistant will work 24-30 hours per week at the Portland Parks & Recreation Tabor Yard Facility, located at 6437 SE Division St. Portland, OR 97206. Note: In addition, this role must be available for occasional outreach events on weeknights or Saturdays. This role will also have opportunities to work at other community gardens locations.

Bilingual speakers of the following languages are strongly encouraged to apply: Spanish, Russian, Mien, Nepali, or Karen.

What you'll do:

• Contact community gardeners to provide or request information, answer general program inquiries, and invite to program events.
• Answer primary phone line, providing information to customers, and taking messages for other staff as needed
• Use telephonic interpretation services to communicate with people who speak languages other than English
• Basic data entry and management
• Perform basic accounting tasks, such as preparing bank deposits
• Use mail merge and other software applications, like Microsoft Office Suite
• Create promotional and educational materials

About the Bureau: Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) is committed to the overall Citywide vision that race will have no detrimental effect on people of color, refugees, and immigrant communities in accessing our parks and natural areas, or from the benefit of our services. We recognize, understand, and encourage celebration of the differences that surround us. Diversity and equity are vital to PP&R's ideals and values. The City of Portland, Oregon, is a growing and diverse city of 650,000 residents, nearly 20% of whom speak languages other than English at home. PP&R values a diverse workforce and seeks ways to promote equity and inclusion within the organization and with the public. PP&R encourages applications from candidates with knowledge, ability, and experience working with a broad range of individuals and communities with diverse racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds. Although not required, PP&R encourages candidates who can fluently speak another language to include that information in their application materials. Multilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

Virtual Meet & Greet Opportunity

Meet the hiring manager and recruiter to learn more about this position, how to apply for the role, and what it's like to work with the City of Portland.

Date: Monday, July 6, 2026

Time: 5:30pm-6:30pm PST

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82962159578

Note: Al Notetaking apps are not permitted. If you need ADA accommodations, please contact the recruiter below.

Applicants must demonstrate how their education, training, and experience meet each of the minimum qualifications listed below:

1. Strong communication and customer service skills. This includes, but is not limited to, experience with communicating across different communication styles and diverse backgrounds.
2. Experience collecting, maintaining, and organizing data.
3. Knowledge of and experience with standard office programs, such as Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams, and more).
4. Experience and ability with multitasking and managing time effectively in a work environment that is subject to frequent change.

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.
• Click here for application tips for resume, supplemental question response and/or cover letter.

Recruitment Timeline: This timeline is tentative and subject to change without notice.

1. Application Review - Week of 7/9/2026: We'll review your application materials to ensure you meet the minimum qualifications listed above.
2. Notice/Feedback - Week of 7/16/2026: 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 City Administrative Rule 3.01.
3. Selection Process - Late July - Mid August 2026: The hiring bureau will review qualified applications, conduct interviews, and check references.
4. Conditional Job Offer - Mid - Late August 2026: Final candidates may undergo a background or driving record check, depending on the position.

Learn More About:

• How to Apply Videos and Workshops
• City of Portland Core Values
• HRAR-3.01 - Recruitment Processes
• Veteran Preference Information
• Total Compensation and Benefits
• Language Pay Differential Eligibility

Questions? We're here to help! We're committed to providing a fair, inclusive, and accessible hiring process. If you need assistance with your application and/or would like to request a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, pregnancy, or religious belief, please contact the recruiter listed below.

Vanessa Bodien, Recruiter

Vanessa.Bodien@portlandoregon.gov

Bureau of Human Resources