Commercial Buildings Program Manager (Coordinator III)

Commercial Buildings Program Manager

Join the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF) team at the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS) as our next Commercial Buildings Program Manager. This pivotal role will lead the clean energy work in larger buildings within the clean energy team, with particular focus on resilience. This position supervises a small team (3 to start, likely growing to a team of 4), manages multiple contracts with external program delivery partners, and works closely with other PCEF teams. This position will manage PCEF investments in commercial sites, community centers, schools, and other large buildings. Investments will focus on energy efficiency improvements, rooftop solar, community solar, as well as solar and solar + storage installations for resilience.

What you'll get to do:

• Direct the development and implementation of programs in your respective area, including designing program structures, tracking program budget and deliverables, and ensuring equitable access to review processes with climate justice considerations.
• Manage a portfolio of grants, ensuring compliance with PCEF eligible measures, regular invoicing and reporting from contractors and grantees, and progress toward grant milestones.
• Supervise, guide, and evaluate the performance of three staff members, providing clear performance requirements and personal development targets, fostering an inclusive and equitable work environment.
• Apply relevant regulations, policies, and guidelines through a climate justice lens to support successful program implementation.
• Collaborate with other members of the PCEF team, other city bureaus, contracted implementation partners, grantees, contractors and stakeholders (e.g., contractors, industry associations, members of the community, etc.) in opportunities to improve outcomes, develop best practices, and share lessons learned.
• Represent PCEF at external forums focused on energy efficiency and renewable energy. Includes delivering presentations, developing case-studies and reports to share program design successes and lessons learned with colleagues and partners.

Who you are:

• Dedicated: Hard working, flexible and committed to prioritizing frontline communities in addressing the causes and impacts of climate change.
• Innovative: Creative, open minded, adaptable, and skilled in change management to better serve the community.
• Socially Intelligent: Motivated, passionate, team-oriented, and empathetic. You can communicate with others in a way that creates ease. You understand how to navigate complex political environments. You can effectively communicate with all levels of an organization.
• Equity-driven: Commitment to advancing systemic changes that address historic and current discrimination. Experience evaluating program design through an equity lens and creating offerings and solutions that remove barriers and deliver more equitable outcomes.
• Energy program savvy: Practiced in designing and implementing energy efficiency and renewable programs, including eligibility requirements, participation workflows, program outreach, data systems, energy savings analysis, quality assurance, and program evaluation.
• Knowledgeable about commercial-scale energy efficiency and renewable energy: You know which energy efficiency and solar upgrades are typical in large buildings, particularly improvements focused on electrification.
• Skilled at working with contractors: Connected with commercial contractors in Portland and aware about programs for workforce development.

About the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund:

As a first-in-the-nation community-led climate fund, PCEF's mission is to fulfill a vision that builds resilience and quality jobs with proactive steps to fight climate change while advancing social, economic, and environmental justice. For more information on this innovative program, please visit the PCEF website.

Background:

The Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS) is a leader in land use planning, climate action, environmental stewardship, and urban design. BPS centers racial equity in its work and is dedicated to creating a Portland that is more equitable, healthy, prosperous, and resilient. The bureau oversees a world-renowned waste and recycling system and leads the U.S. in its commitment to open data and protecting communities in the application of technologies. Staff collaborate with partners on neighborhood, economic, historic, and environmental planning and provide research, policy and technical services to advance energy efficiency and renewable energy, as well as policies and actions to address climate change.

Recorded Meet & Greet Session:

We hosted a recorded Meet & Greet session on February 5, 2026. Watch the recording and review this updated job announcement and reach out to the recruiter if you have any questions!

To Qualify:

The following minimum qualifications are required for this position:

1. Experience collaborating with communities of color and people traditionally underrepresented in local decision-making.
2. Experience managing direct reports, with ability to provide staff guidance, support, supervision and hold team accountable for deadlines and deliverables.
3. Experience managing grants and/or programs focused on energy in large buildings, with knowledge of clean energy technologies, industry players, trends, climate justice principles, best practices, and the ability to integrate them into program development and implementation.
4. Experience applying relevant code, regulation, permitting requirements, administrative rules, and policies, and exercise independent judgment, problem-solve, and take initiative within established procedures and guidelines to support program success.
5. Experience maintaining effective working relationships and communicating the needs of the program and its grantees with internal and external stakeholders and others encountered in the course of work.

Preferred Qualifications:

• At least 2 years of relevant experience, including program management and grant management.
• Experience working with non-residential construction contractors, particularly contractors involved in energy projects.
• Experience scoping and/or installing energy efficiency upgrades in large buildings.
• Experience scoping and/or installing solar in large buildings or at community solar sites.
• Experience scoping and/or installing battery storage in large buildings.

The Recruitment Process:

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.

What to Expect:

1. Application Review - (Week of September 21st): We'll review your application materials to ensure you meet the minimum qualifications listed above.
2. Notice/Feedback - (Week of September 28th): 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 - (Early-to-Mid October): The hiring bureau will review qualified applications, conduct interviews, and check references.
4. Conditional Job Offer - (Late October): Final candidates may undergo a background or driving record check, depending on the position.

Additional Information:

• 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

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

Questions? We're here to help! If you have questions about this recruitment or need assistance, contact:

Tamela Ressler, Senior Recruiter Tamela.Ressler@portlandoregon.gov Bureau of Human Resources

Benefits:

A Career with the City of Portland offers many Employee Benefits. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to:

• Health Care (Medical, Vision and Dental)
• Carrot Fertility
• Wellness Benefits
• Life Insurance
• Long-term disability
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Retirement
• Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), including contributions to the PERS IAP plan paid by employer
• Family Medical Leave
• City Paid Parental Leave

AND SO MANY MORE