Recreation Leader - Arts (Visual)

Full Job Description

Job Appointment: Full-Time, Regular.

Work Schedule: Mon-Fri. 9:30 am - 5:30 pm. This position may require occasional work nights, weekends, and holidays.
Work Location: Multnomah Arts Center, 7688 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, OR 97219, and other locations throughout Portland based on Community Engagement program needs.

Benefits: Please check our benefits tab for an overview of this position's benefits.

Language Pay Premium Eligible: This position may be eligible for Language Pay Differential for qualifying employees.

Application Material: Please click APPLY to submit your application via the City of Portland’s online portal. You will need to respond to the supplemental questions and attach a resume.

About this Position:

The Multnomah Arts Center is looking for a creative, organized, and community-minded Recreation Leader to support and elevate our visual arts programming. This role plays a key part in delivering high-quality arts experiences that reflect the unique resources of our studios and facilities.

As a Recreation Leader, you’ll work both independently and collaboratively, partnering with program staff, instructors, volunteers, and community members to ensure a welcoming, well-run, and inspiring environment.

Depending on program needs, your work may range from general arts support to highly specialized tasks requiring specific technical skills.

As a Recreation Leader, you will:

• Supportthe operation of multiple visual arts studios, including:
  • Jewelry and metalsmithing
  • Ceramics
  • Printmaking
  • Woodworking
  • Weaving and textiles
  • Photography and darkroom
  • Drawing and painting
  • Youth visual arts
  • Galleries and visual art display areas
• Maintain, organize, and safely operateequipment and supplies associated with each studio, including:
  • Jewelry/Metalsmithing: soldering torches, casting equipment, centrifuge, forging tools, bench jewelry tools
  • Ceramics: electric and gas kilns, pottery wheels, clay and glaze materials, high-fire processes
  • Printmaking: presses, screens, etching tools, aquatint box, letterpresses, type, book arts equipment
  • Woodworking: lathes, chop saws, band saws, planers, jointers, and other shop tools
  • Photography/Darkroom: enlargers, cameras, print dryers, and related processing equipment
  • Textiles: weaving looms, spinning wheels, sewing machines, dyeing, and basketry tools
  • Drawing & Painting: easels, taborets, and related materials
• Manage chemicals, raw materials, gases, safety equipment, and storage systems common to visual arts studios
• Oversee hundreds of specialized tools and fine art supplies used across all studio areas
• Assist in administering a wide range of arts programs, including potential instruction and community engagement
• Conduct administrative and office tasks that support program operations
• Support communication related to arts programming, policies, and program information
• Engage directly with participants, staff, and volunteers to ensure safe and appropriate use of equipment, tools, and materials
• Provide guidance and support to a diverse community of users across all age groups

About the Bureau:
Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) is committed to the overall Citywide vision that race will have no detrimental effect on people of color, refugee and immigrant communities in accessing our parks and natural areas, or from the benefit of our services. We recognize, understand, and encourage celebration of the differences that surround us. Diversity and equity are vital to PP&R’s ideals and values. The City of Portland, Oregon is a growing and diverse city of 650,000 residents, nearly 20% of whom speak languages other than English at home. PP&R values a diverse workforce and seeks ways to promote equity and inclusion within the organization and with the public. PP&R encourages applications from candidates with knowledge, ability and experience working with a broad range of individuals and communities with diverse racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds. Although not required, PP&R encourages candidates that can fluently speak another language to include that information in their application materials. Multilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

Virtual Zoom Meet & Greet Opportunity

Come meet the hiring manager and the senior recruiter! We’ll be talking about the position’s duties and responsibilities, day-to-day life in the role, reviewing the announcement, discussing how to apply, and answering any questions you may have about the position.

Topic: Meet & Greet: Recreation Leader - Arts (Visual)

Time: Mar 5, 2026 12:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81788345622

Questions?

Contact Information:

Amanda Hillebrecht, Senior Recruiter

Bureau of Human Resources

Amanda.Hillebrecht@portlandoregon.gov

Have a question?
Contact Information:
Amanda Hillebrecht
Senior Recruiter
Amanda.Hillebrecht@portlandoregon.gov

Requirements

The following minimum qualifications are required for this position:

1. Knowledge of current trends and techniques related to visual arts production and education.
2. Knowledge and experience in the safe working practices specific to specialized visual arts equipment and spaces.
3. Ability to effectively instruct a variety of visual arts-related classes.
4. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external partners such as the center and other recreation center staff, city employees, program participants, and the public.

Applicant must also:

• A valid state driver's license and an acceptable driving record

Although not required, you may have one or more of the following:

• Experience repairing and maintaining specialized visual arts equipment, such as metal-fabrication and soldering tools, woodworking equipment, printmaking tools, or sewing machines.

• Proficiency in a second language (e.g., Spanish, Somali, Vietnamese, Chinese, Russian) to effectively communicate with diverse community members and stakeholders.

• Ability to safely lift and carry up to 50 pounds.

Qualifications

STEP 1: Apply online between March 2, 2026 – March 9, 2026

• Required Application Materials: Resume
• Answer to the Supplemental Questions (click on the Questions tab to preview the questions)

Optional Application Materials:

• If you would like to request Veteran's Preference, please submit your Veteran documents (ex, DD214-Member 4, VA Benefit Letter, etc.) by the closing date of the recruitment.

Application Tips:

• Your responses to the supplemental questions should include details describing your education, training, and/or experience, and where obtained, which clearly reflect your qualifications for each of the numbered items in the "To Qualify" section of this announcement.
• Your résumé should support the details described in your responses to the supplemental questions.
• Do not attach any additional documents.
• Please note that all completed applications for this position must be submitted no later than the closing date and time of this recruitment.
• If you use AI tools to help draft responses, make sure your answers reflect your own experience, use plain language, and areaccurate. You are responsible for all content submitted, and your resume and work history must support your responses.
• All applications must be submitted via the City's online application process.
• E-mailed and/or faxed applications will not be accepted.

Step 2: Minimum Qualification Evaluation: Week of March 9, 2026

• An evaluation of each applicant's training and paid and unpaid experience, as demonstrated in their resume and supplemental questions, is weighted 100%.
• Your résumé and responses to the supplemental questions will be the basis for our evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Incomplete or inappropriate information may result in disqualification.
• You have 14 days from the notice of the minimum qualification evaluation results to let us know if you would like to review and discuss your evaluation results. Please read the City of Portland Administrative Rule 3.01 for complete information.
• Additional evaluation may be required before the establishment of the eligible list and/or final selection.

Step 3: Establishment of Eligible List: Week of March 16, 2026

• Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on the equally ranked eligible list.

Step 4: Selection (Interview): Late March 2026

• The hiring bureau will review and select candidates for an interview.

Step 5: Offer of Employment: April 2026

Step 6: Start Date: May 2026

• A start date will be determined after all conditions of employment have been met.

*Timeline is approximate and subject to change.

Additional Information

Click here for additional information regarding the following:

• City of Portland Core Values
• Recruitment Process - Work Status
• Equal Employment Opportunity
• Veteran Preference
• ADA, Pregnancy, and Religious Accommodations