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Jobs of the Week: Rapha, Chris King, bike tourism, SoupCycle, and more

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Looking for a new gig? We’ve got six fantastic opportunities. From Rapha to Chris King, soup delivery by bike, and even a start in Oregon’s flourishing bicycle tourism industry.

Learn more about each job via the links below…

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City has two years to make the case to save 26th Avenue bike lanes, it says

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The bike lanes on SE 26th run in front of Cleveland High School and carry about 600 to 800 people daily.
(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)

Because 26th Avenue won’t be repaved for another year or two, the city will have time and data to try to persuade the Oregon Department of Transportation to reverse its decision.

The Portland Bureau of Transportation confirmed Thursday that it has agreed to remove the bike lanes from SE 26th Avenue near Powell in order to get the state’s approval for a new signal at 28th.

A city spokesman said that because 26th Avenue won’t be repaved for another year or two, the city will have time and data to try to persuade the Oregon Department of Transportation to reverse its decision. But an ODOT spokesman said the state can’t say what data it might or might not find persuasive.

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What the heck is going on with the 26th Avenue bike lanes?

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SE 26th Avenue looking south toward Powell.

Is the City of Portland, newly anointed “Biketown”, really going to remove a bike lane because our state department of transportation said it would improve safety?

That story we reported yesterday has sparked outrage, confusion, and frustration — all completely reasonable reactions to the idea of removing a bike lane in order to make biking safer. While we work to clarify the details and get to the bottom of what’s really going on (weaving the different communications from city officials and state officials together into one coherent whole is proving more complicated than expected), I thought I’d share what two notable Portland bike advocates think about the idea.

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Rep. Blumenauer unveils ‘Bikeshare Transit Act’ to provide funding certainty

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It’s transit, so let’s fund it as
such says Blumenauer.
(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)

Not wanting to be left out of massive bike news in his hometown, U.S. Congressman Earl Blumenauer has just released details on his latest legislative idea: the Bikeshare Transit Act. The legislation is meant to provide stability and “additional flexibility to use federal funds for bikeshare programs.”

Blumenauer wants to make it easier for bike share systems to operate past their initial start-up funding. In Portland’s case, we received a $2 million federal grant for bike share back in 2011. But that money was only enough to start planning. To actually put a system on the ground would take millions more — not to mention an annual operating and maintenance budget of $1.5 to $2 million. With cities under pressure to not spend any local money on bike share, that means they’ve had to hope and pray for big private sponsors. Portland spent years trying to court a suitor before inking their $10 million deal with Nike.

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Job: Customer Service Manager – Rapha Racing Ltd

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Job Title *
Customer Service Manager

Company/Organization *
Rapha Racing Ltd

Job Description *
Rapha has an excellent reputation for the highest standards of Customer Service. As we continue to grow internationally, being able to service and support our customers all over the world is crucial to our continued success. Rapha has a business strategy that has created a unique customer experience through both our website and the Rapha Cycle Clubs.
North America is a key market for Rapha and requires an experienced Customer Service Professional to lead the Customer Service team and support our global operations.

The Role

Manage the North American Customer Service team to create and inspire a high performing group of Customer Service Advisors.
Create a coaching culture where the team can develop and reach their full potential.
Work closely with the Head of Customer Service to recommend improvements and enhancements to our service proposition so we can deliver World Class Service.
Advise on best practice methods of customer communications including social platforms and live chat.
Help maintain and develop our Customer Service platform Zendesk and become an expert user.
Work with our Retail team to ensure the customer experience is consistent across non-web sales channels such as physical retail stores.
Provide reports to the business including regular customer feedback to the Product and Marketing teams and monthly statistics on productivity and adherence to service levels.
Ensure efficiency of the team through staff training, preparation of guidance manuals and implementation of performance metrics.
Develop internal quality tools that will help coach, develop and train staff to ensure a single tone of voice and appropriate Rapha product and general cycling knowledge.
Work closely with the Logistics team to ensure delivery targets are met and any customer impact is communicated ac
Deputise for the Head of Customer Service in their absence, attending and contributing to meetings, acting as the main point of contact for Customer Service and ensuring regular and smooth communication takes place with Senior Management and across departments.
Help develop in-depth product training materials and enable knowledge transfer to the team
Coordinate with Head Office teams on product launch timing, pricing, policies and promotions.
Work closely with the 3PL to ensure SLAs are met and troubleshoot any issues that arise.
Work with our Logistics team to develop and oversee the relationship with our carriers.

The Candidate

The ideal candidate will have the following skills and qualities:

Experience of best practice customer service operations gained in a truly global operating environment.
The ability to identify and initiate process improvement using the latest technology and innovations.
An experienced customer service professional with a clear understanding and commitment to the importance of customer service, ideally in an online, multi-channel retail business.
Critical analysis/decision making ability.
High level of self-motivation with a positive, solution focused attitude.
Strong people management skills with a passion for learning and development.
A passion for operations management and process improvement.
Exceptional communication skills with the ability to influence and motivate across a global organisation and throughout multiple departments.
Proven experience in a front line customer service team.
A genuine appreciation of the impact of world class customer service, and the desire to deliver at an industry-best standard.
An expert in resource planning and traditional customer service metrics to ensure operational rigour and scalability.
Knowledge of technical, performance, or luxury products.
Passion for cycling.

How to Apply *
To apply for this position please email your CV and Cover Letter to: Careers@rapha.cc

Portland inks $10 million “Biketown” deal with Nike as title sponsor of bike share system

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Left to right: PBOT Director Leah Treat, Community Cycling Center CEO Mychal Tetteh, Nike VP Jorge Casimiro, and Transportation Commissioner Steve Novick.
(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland)

At the Nike factory store in northeast Portland this morning, the City of Portland announced that Nike Inc., has signed on as the title sponsor of Portland Bike Share (here’s the official announcement). The system is now known as Biketown (pronounced “bike” not “bikey”).

The deal is worth $10 million and will last for five years. PBOT had previously said they needed $2 to $8 million to launch the system, so this is a huge deal for the city.

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NikeBikes? Portland and Nike set to announce “major agreement” on bike share

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Nike Bikes?

UPDATE 1/7 at 9:00 am: See this story for the latest on Nike’s big sponsorship deal with PBOT.

The City of Portland says they’ll make an announcement tomorrow about a “major bike share partnership” with none other than Nike, Inc.

The sports equipment juggernaut is based in nearby Beaverton and has lots of ties to the Portland area.

We’ll have more on this story as soon as we can. Below is more in a statement from PBOT:

On Thursday, January 7, 2016, Commissioner Steve Novick will join Jorge Casimiro, Vice President of Global Community Impact for NIKE, Inc., and Leah Treat, Director of the Portland Bureau of Transportation, to announce a significant new partnership in support of Portland’s bike share system.

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Lost at SE Salmon & 23rd: consciousness

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Black ice. Did anyone see me wipe out some time before 8:00 this morning? The first thing I remember is standing on the corner talking to a concerned driver (female) and concerned cyclist (male). I have no idea how all the scattered pieces of my helmet lights got into one of my coat pockets, How my banged-up bike got on the sidewalk I don’t know, either. I thank anyone who stopped to help.

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Barriers

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Almost three years ago I moved to Portland from Honolulu, HI. For a place with great riding weather year round, the best bike infrastructure on the island was the equivalent of the bike lanes on SE 26th Ave. The amazing thing to me about Portland is what happens when you treat non-vehicular methods as equal modes of transportation. Suddenly there is space to ride and infrastructure that doesn’t treat you as a 2nd class user of the roadway. And there are so many more people, of all ages, not driving (or being driven around) in cars. Community is back because we’re actually interacting with people, not machines.

But where are the planners and visionaries who put that infrastructure in place now? Those who thought of green bike lanes and removing parking and signals just for cyclists and walkers and having direct routes to major commercial areas, not roundabout “don’t get in the car” ways of getting to-and-fro. As I ride and run and walk around the city now all I notice are the new barriers being put in my way, not the green carpet.

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New Oregon law expands insurance coverage in traffic crashes: What you need to know

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(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)

This guest article was written by Cynthia Newton as part of our ongoing paid partnership with Portland law firm Swanson, Thomas, Coon & Newton.

Senate Bill 411, passed by Oregon’s legislature in 2015, will help Oregonians injured in vehicular collisions by expanding benefits under two sections of their automobile policies: Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage. The law goes into effect on January 1, 2016, and applies to policies issued or renewed on or after that date. In this article I’ll share more information about those two types of insurance, how the new law impacts them, and why this is important for people who drive, walk or bike.

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ODOT open house on Thursday looks at safety improvements for N Broadway

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We covered this project a few weeks ago; but wanted to make sure you were aware of the official open house tomorrow (1/7) night. Check the ODOT press release below for more details…

Thursday open house looks at safety improvements for North Broadway

ODOT and the Portland Bureau of Transportation will host a public open house on Thursday, Jan. 7 to look at improvements planned for the intersection where the southbound Interstate 5 off-ramp, exit 302A, meets North Broadway.

The open house is scheduled for 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 7 in the basement of the Left Bank office building, 240 N. Broadway. The entrance is on North Wheeler Avenue between North Weidler Street and North Broadway. Signs will be posted near the building.

Members of the project team from ODOT and PBOT will be available to discuss the project and answer questions.

The work is part of the larger N/NE Quadrant Plan which would make operational and safety improvements in the areas both on and off I-5. The Plan, a joint effort by ODOT and PBOT, does not yet have funding for all elements.

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Job: Human Resources Supervisor – Chris King Precision Components

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Job Title *
Human Resources Supervisor

Company/Organization *
Chris King Precision Components

Job Description *
Chris King Precision Components, manufacturer of precision bicycle components, is seeking qualified applicants for a Human Resources Supervisor position. The HR Supervisor is responsible for overseeing a two person HR department for a manufacturing company with over 100 employees. The position entails administering company programs and policies, staffing and recruiting, benefits, 401K plan, employee relations, health and safety programs and compensation.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Maintains a pulse on employee relations and makes recommendations to management
• Coaches supervisors and managers on employee relations questions and leadership practices
• Reviews and upholds company policies and procedures through collaboration with management, executives and general counsel
• Works with management and HR Assistant to ensure staffing needs are met through recruiting efforts; creates job descriptions and recruits directly for upper level positions
• Conducts new employee orientation and safety training; maintains employee record-keeping
• Renews benefits selections annually and manages enrollment for medical, dental, life and disability.
• Works closely with 401K TPA, Financial Advisor and Accounting department to administer and ensure retirement plan compliance
• Responsible for employee relations including, but not limited to employee appreciation events, company parties and employee career-pathing
• Serves as safety committee chair; responsible for leading safety committee meetings, ensuring follow-up on action items are resolved and facilitating workmans compensation claims
• Addresses a wide range of employee questions and concerns, facilitates conflict mediation and conducts investigations when necessary

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
• A bachelors degree in Human Resources or a related field
• 3-5 years of relevant experience in HR, staffing and supervision
• PHR Certification preferred

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE REQUIRED:
• Ability to lead and direct the work of others
• Must have intermediate to advance computer skills
• Demonstrates advanced decision-making skills
• Sensitivity to confidential and personal information
• High level of customer service towards internal customers using excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong organizational and multi-tasking abilities

SCHEDULE
Full-time, Monday-Friday

BENEFITS
• 100 hours of Paid Time Off during your first year of employment
• 8 paid holidays per year
• Company sponsored health insurance, vision, short term disability, long term disability & life insurance
• Voluntary dental insurance
• Section 125-plan participation eligibility
• 401(k) plan with match
• Onsite employee café serving breakfast and lunch daily at cost pricing
• Commuter Café Credits for using alternative transportation
• Employee Purchase Program for internal CKPC and outdoor/cycling industry products
• Bi-annual Bike Commute Challenges to earn up to 40 additional hours of paid time-off per year

How to Apply *

Applicants can apply by sending a cover letter and resume in the body of an email to human.resources@chrisking.com.