Program Assistant III

Position Summary

This recruitment will close at 11:59 PM on September 30th 2025, or once 100 applications have been received, whichever occurs first. Qualified applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as early as possible to ensure consideration.

Hello, we’re Metro! Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow.

The Metro Housing Department is looking for a Program Assistant to support general department and communications program area administrative work.

Housing Department Communications Program Area is the communications team that supports the greater Housing Department by providing internal and external communications. This includes marketing and public education, storytelling and community engagement, media strategy and response. We also work across Metro, with external government agencies and partners to educate the public, ensuring information is accessible and easy to understand for everyone in the region

Wherever we come from, whoever we are, everyone deserves safe and stable housing. In May of 2020, voters approved Measure 26-210 known as Metro Supportive Housing to fund services for people experiencing or at extreme risk of homelessness. Thanks to voters, Metro now partners with Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties to reduce homelessness through services that help people find and keep a safe and stable home. Housing insecurity and homelessness impact Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) at disproportionately higher rates compared to white communities. Addressing homelessness and housing insecurity requires intentional efforts to address racial disparities and policies that continue to cause harm to BIPOC communities. The person hired into this role will apply these values as they take a human-centered approach to inspire, motivate, and empower others to continuously develop, learn and grow to better serve the many diverse communities that make up Metro.

As the Program Assistant you will

• Provide administrative support for the Metro Housing Communications program, including maintaining scheduling tools, editorial and communications calendars, organized storage systems (e.g., photo, graphic, and presentation banks), SharePoint sites, Monday.com boards, and more.
• Schedule complex logistics for in-person, hybrid, and virtual meetings, webinars, and special events including venue reservation, attendee coordination, agenda preparation, materials setup, technical support, minute-taking, and follow-up.
• Support committee and public meetings by preparing packets, managing records in line with retention schedules, serving as the main contact for members or groups, and handling pre- and post-meeting communications, when applicable.
• Assist with Affordable Housing Bond and Supportive Housing Services events (e.g., groundbreakings, openings, public engagements) through scheduling, internal coordination, collateral management, partner communication, event attendance, and on-site support.
• Contribute to the creation of materials such as informational documents, reports, PowerPoint presentations, promotional content, and project updates
• Manage graphic and infographic libraries, including assets for websites, reports, and internal tools like Infogram.
• Act as purchaser by handling item purchases, tracking receipts and reconciliation documents, and ensuring compliance with Metro’s purchasing policies.
• Support weekly staff meetings, including preparing agenda templates, documenting meeting notes, and tracking action items.
• Maintain and update public-facing project summaries for bond-funded work on the website, ensuring content accuracy and accessibility.
• Perform administrative tasks such as processing purchase requests, routing documents, coordinating catering, managing shared inboxes, maintaining records, scheduling calendars, and, at times, liaising with internal departments or external agencies.
• Administrative tasks as assigned.

Attributes for success

• Experience or passion for advancing racial equity work.
• Experience or passion for communications and housing and homelessness work.
• Skilled in both internal and external communications.
• Proficient with personal computers and standard business software, including Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, SharePoint, Teams, Adobe Professional and Express, and Zoom.
• Knowledgeable in office management, administration, and organizational best practices.
• Strong time management and multitasking skills, with the ability to self-motivate, prioritize, and adapt in a constantly changing environment to meet project goals.
• Capable of working under pressure in fast-paced settings, transitioning tasks smoothly while maintaining professionalism.
• Committed to high standards of customer service, with a collaborative mindset focused on achieving quality results.
• Effective in building and maintaining positive working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders, contributing to a supportive team culture.
• Skilled in analyzing complex problems and developing practical, effective solutions.
• Detail-oriented, organized, discreet with confidential information, and able to communicate clearly through written, spoken, and virtual means.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

At Metro, we strive to cultivate diversity, advance equity, and practice inclusion in all of its work. This means attracting and empowering a workforce that is inclusive of a broad range of human qualities. Workplace diversity is both a moral imperative and a business strength, essential to providing quality support and services to our region. Metro’s goal is to hire, develop and retain highly skilled and talented individuals across all departments and programs who best reflect the diversity of our community.

Learn more about Metro’s Diversity Action Plan

TO QUALIFY

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant.

Minimum qualifications

• High school diploma or G.E.D, AND
• Three years of administrative and/or clerical work experience; OR
• We will consider any combination of education and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position.

Working Conditions

• Duties may require lifting materials and/or equipment up to 25 pounds.
• Required to travel to various events in the Portland Metro Region.

If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply

If you were terminated for cause during any employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, you may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.

Hybrid Telework

At this time, this position is designated as “hybrid telework.” You will have the option to work away from the office, although there may be times that coming into the office will be required. The manager will work with you to identify a schedule that balances the operational needs of the department and your needs. Employees must reside in Oregon or Washington to work at Metro.

Like to have qualifications

You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider them when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position.

• Previous experience working in both internal and external communications.
• Previous experience working in advancing racial and/or housing/homeless justice.
• Proficient with personal computers and standard business software, including Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, SharePoint, Teams, Adobe Professional and Express, and Zoom.

SCREENING AND EVALUATION

The application packet: The application packet consists of the following required documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment.

• A completed online application
• Responses to supplemental questions

The selection process: We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows. The selection process is subject to change.

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
• Consideration of top candidates/interviews
• Testing/assessments (if applicable)
• Reference check
• Driving records check for finalist candidate

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND REPRESENTATON

The full-salary range for this position is step 1. $34.41 to step 7. $46.15. However, unless a candidate’s qualifications justify, based on the Oregon Pay Equity Act requirements and Metro’s internal equity review process, the appointment will likely be made between step 1. $34.41 to the equity range step 4.$39.84.

This position is eligible for overtime and is represented by AFSCME 3580. It is classified as a Program Assistant III position.

Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions. View the classification description.

Questions?

Recruiter: Carrie Gundermann

Email: carrie.gundermann@oregonmetro.gov

Additional Information

Equal employment opportunity

All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made, or any other status protected by law.

Accommodation

Metro will gladly provide a reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.

Veterans' preference

Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Metro positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans' preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

Hybrid Telework

Positions designated as “hybrid telework,” meaning you will have the option to work away from the office, although there may be times that coming into the office will be required. The designation of Hybrid Telework may be subject to change at a future time. All employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; Metro cannot support ongoing telework from other locations.

Pay equity at Metro

No matter who you are or where you work at Metro, you deserve to be paid fairly for the work you do. Every worker must get equal pay for equal work regardless of your gender, race, age, or other protected characteristics. Metro has established processes and conducts routine pay equity reviews as part of the hiring process to ensure compliance with the 2017 Oregon Pay Equity Act.

Online applications

Metro accepts job applications online. If you need assistance or accommodation with your application, or access to a computer, please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.

How to Apply

For tips on how to apply and more information on what the application process looks like, visit Metro’s “How to apply” page.

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Metro

Led by an elected council, this unique government gives all residents of greater Portland a voice in shaping the future and provides parks, venues, services, and tools at a regional scale. We find solutions for our area’s garbage and recycling that protect clean air and water; help plan land use and development to provide jobs and safe transportation; manage local venues that provide a connection to arts and culture and help keep the economy growing; protect 17,000 acres of parks and natural areas, and run the Oregon Zoo, to keep nature close to home.

As part of the Metro family, you play a vital role in serving the people of the greater Portland region.

Family members, including eligible spouses, domestic partners, and children, are covered under most of our benefits programs. Benefits vary depending on position and full-time, part-time, and variable hour status.

This is a budgeted, regular status position with a full-time schedule. The position is eligible for these benefits:

• Medical, dental and vision health insurance
• Paid sick leave
• Paid vacation, holiday, and other leave
• Paid parental leave
• Full contribution to Oregon PERS retirement
• No-cost TriMet Hop Pass
• Employee Assistance Program
• Training opportunities
• Flexible schedules depending on position and department
• Hybrid/Telework living in Oregon /Washington depending on position and department