What are the responsibilities and job description for the Volunteer (Non-Paid) Position - Design Commission position at City of Portland?
The Design Commission provides leadership and expertise on urban design and architecture and advances the purpose of the Design overlay zone. It supports development that builds on context, contributes to the public realm, and provides high quality and resilient buildings and public spaces. It also helps develop design guidelines for design districts and provides advice to other City Bureaus and Regional Government Partners.
Commission activities include:
- Reviewing major developments within Design overlay zones;
- Recommending the establishment, amendment, or removal of the Design overlay zone and a design districts to the Planning and Sustainability Commission;
- Recommending design guidelines for adoption by City Council except for guidelines for Historic Districts and Conservation Districts;
- Reviewing other land use requests assigned to the Design Commission; and
- Providing advice on design matters to the Hearings Officer, Planning Commission, Historic Landmarks Commission, Portland Development Commission, City Council, and other City bureaus or public agencies when necessary or requested.
Total number of advisory seats: 7
Number of seats available: 2
To be eligible for the advisory committee, members must live, play, worship, go to school, work or do business in the City of Portland.
What We Look For
We want people from every part of Portland here to share their voice on this committee, especially people who have not been involved before. If you want to serve your community and to help government make better choices, then we want to see your application. The attributes listed below are what will guide our selection process. It is helpful if you are specific in your answers. We do not expect you to be or have everything listed.
The Portland Design Commission consists of seven members, none of whom may hold elective office. The Commission must include: One person with public art experience, one person representing the public at-large, and five members experienced in either urban planning, design, architecture, landscape architecture, natural resource management, sustainable building practices, engineering, financing construction or management of buildings, or land development. No more than two members may be appointed from any one of these areas of expertise.
The person with the public art experience is nominated by the City Arts Program. All members are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council. Terms are four years, limited to a maximum of two full terms.
This is an open recruitment, and the City is seeking applications from interested urban planning, design, architecture, landscape architecture, natural resource management, sustainable building practices or land development professionals.
Desired attributes
We want people from every part of Portland here to share their voices on this commission, especially people who have not been involved before. If you want to serve your community and to help government make better choices, we want to see your application. The attributes listed below are what will guide our selection process. It is helpful to be specific in your answers.
- You believe in the value of public participation in government processes.
- You want positive and long-lasting outcomes for communities who have been left out of public decision-making before.
- You can work collaboratively and effectively with people representing diverse interests.
- You are available to attend meetings and participate in the discussions.
- You want to work collaboratively with applicants and agencies to serve the public good.
- You can share opinions respectfully.
Time Commitment
- Bi-monthly hearings will take place on the 1st and 3rd Thursday afternoons of each month. Additional hearings may be scheduled as needed to accommodate volume. These are currently held via Zoom (internet connection and computer required). At a future date TBD, the Design Commission will move to hybrid hearings, allowing Commissioners and the public to continue to attend hearings virtually or at 1900 SW 4th Avenue in Portland.
- Members are appointed to a 4-year term, and members are able to serve a maximum of two-full-length terms.
- The anticipated time commitment per week/month is approximately 20-30 hours a month, which includes preparing for hearings as well as hearing times.
- Meeting materials for review are typically sent about one week in advance.
We Remove Barriers
Let us know if there are barriers to your participation. When we return to in-person meetings, dinner will be provided if the meeting is expected to exceed four hours. Parking validation is available if you park in the City’s parking garage.
Volunteer Ethics
People who join this committee will become what we call “Public Officials,” which means that while you serve you must behave fair and ethically. We will provide training on this once you are appointed. Part of following Public Officials Ethics laws means you must tell the group when you or a relative may financially benefit (or avoid fees) by your recommendations. This is called a “Conflict of Interest.” If you tell us about potential Conflicts of Interest that does not mean you cannot serve, in fact, many committees have potential members with Conflicts of Interest. We appreciate your ethical inclusion of possible Conflicts of Interest on the form included in the application.APPLY HERE: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/01a13bde4ca87c8683d320343a6b6de2
Applications are due by 11:59pm on Sunday, December 13, 2026
To talk with someone about this opportunity or to receive assistance completing the application, please contact the advisory body staff liaison at Tim.Heron@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-7726.
Voluntary & Confidential Demographic Information
The City is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equity. Completing the demographic information on the application is voluntary, but we encourage you to provide that information. The City uses this information to help ensure that advisory body appointments represent a broad cross-section of community. Your information will not be used during the recruitment nor the selection process. State and federal law prohibit use of this information to discriminate against you. Questions about this may be sent to AdvisoryBodies@Portlandoregon.gov
General Questions
For general questions about the Advisory Bodies program, the volunteer recruitment process, or other upcoming advisory body opportunities please email AdvisoryBodies@Portlandoregon.gov.
We Encourage You to Apply
We welcome you to browse our website to learn more about the Design Commission | Portland.gov.
Do you have questions or need more information? Email Tim.Heron@portlandoregon.gov or call 503-823-7726.