A new position currently being offered by the Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) bureau could have a huge impact on the future of off-road cycling.
PP&R’s new Land Stewardship Division Manager will be a senior-level manager who will make between $95,000 and $128,000 and will report directly to bureau director Mike Abbaté. Currently when Parks approaches a large policy or project they use a number of different types of planners and managers who all report to one project manager. This new position would, “bring together all land management expertise, knowledge and strategies under one manager.”
Here are the responsibilities of the new position as taken from the official job description:
Responsibilities include planning, organizing, directing and evaluating the programs, activities, and personnel of the division of approximately 150 employees who protect, maintain, restore and enhance the 11,000 acres of land managed by the Bureau that are part of a regionally ecologically significant system of open spaces, ranging from natural resource areas to highly developed parks to active recreation facilities. This position also oversees ecologists, horticultural services, community gardens, a plant nursery, turf and irrigation maintenance, environmental education, the integrated pest management program, and the recreational trails program.
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Given the ongoing tensions within PP&R around the balance between conservation and recreation and how best to manage bicycling in parks and natural areas, the person who gets this job will have to weave through some difficult issues.
While the much-anticipated Off-Road Cycling Plan is (thankfully) being managed by the Bureau of Planning & Sustainability, PP&R will ultimately be involved in conversations regarding bike access at key sites like Forest Park, River View, Powell Butte, Gateway Green, and others.
If the person who ultimately fills this roll embraces the possibility and potential of bicycling in Portland’s parks and natural spaces, he/she could have a major impact on the future.
The Land Stewardship Division Manager position closes on December 14th, so be sure to apply if you are interested and pass along the listing to friends who are qualified.
In related news, PP&R is currently hosting an important online survey to gauge “Community Budget Values.” Please take a few minutes and fill it out.
— Jonathan Maus, (503) 706-8804 – jonathan@bikeportland.org