Policy Analyst (Analyst II - CPPW)

The City of Portland is hiring a full-time Policy Analyst II for Portland Parks & Recreation. The role focuses on developing and managing internal policy systems, conducting research, and supporting equitable access to parks and recreation. The position requires collaboration with teams and community engagement, ensuring alignment with strategic goals. This hybrid position allows remote work within Oregon or Washington.
Job Appointment: Full-Time
Work Schedule: Mon-Fri. 8-5, alternate schedule may be available after probation
Work Location: Hybrid- 1120 SW 5th Ave, Portland, OR 97204. Remote work must be performed within Oregon or Washington. For more information, click here.
Benefit: Please check our benefits tab for an overview of benefits for this position
Language Pay Premium Eligible: This position is or may be eligible for Language Pay Differential for qualifying employees.
Union Representation: This classification was recently recognized as represented by a new labor union, City of Portland Professional Workers (CPPW). Terms and Conditions are currently being negotiated as part of a new CPPW collective bargaining agreement. To view labor agreements, current and future, please visit the Current City Labor Agreements page.
Application Material: Please click APPLY to submit your application via the City of Portland’s online portal. You will need to attach a resume and a cover letter.

Position Summary:

Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) is seeking a Policy Analyst II to help advance our mission to provide equitable access to parks, recreation, and nature that support community health, belonging, and climate resilience. This Public Policy Analyst will play a key role in strengthening the bureau’s internal capacity to respond to policy needs, develop equity-informed recommendations, and improve transparency and coordination across teams. In particular, this internally focused role will lead efforts to develop and manage systems that support consistent, coordinated policy development and implementation across the bureau. The Policy Analyst will also work closely with PP&R staff and leadership teams to organize and track internal policy initiatives, evaluate impacts, and ensure alignment with PP&R’s strategic goals and citywide priorities.

What you'll get to do:
• Develop and manage internal systems to organize and coordinate bureau policy initiatives—ensuring transparency, accessibility, and alignment with PP&R performance objectives, City requirements, and service area needs.
• Conduct policy research and develop clear, actionable recommendations for bureau and service area leadership, along with supporting materials such as issue briefs, memos, testimony, and presentations tailored to diverse audiences.
• Support the City’s Office of Government Relations by monitoring relevant legislative developments and coordinating internal input to inform timely, aligned bureau responses.
• Collaborate with PP&R program teams and subject matter experts to respond to data and policy analysis requests from elected officials, City staff, and partner organizations.
• Provide training, technical guidance, and capacity-building support to PP&R staff to strengthen understanding of policy development, implementation, and compliance processes—ensuring staff are informed and actively involved in shaping bureau policies and practices.
• Facilitate inclusive engagement processes with internal teams and impacted communities to gather input, elevate diverse perspectives, and ensure PP&R policies are equitable and responsive to community needs.

The Ideal Candidate for this Position will have these attributes:
• Lived Experience: You have direct experience working with marginalized communities, particularly communities of color, multi-lingual populations, and people with disabilities.
• Experienced Equity Practitioner: You bring a deep understanding of anti-racist principles, equity analysis, and inclusive policy approaches that address systemic disparities.
• Socially Intelligent and Adaptive: You navigate complex social dynamics with ease and communicate in ways that build trust and connection. You practice cultural humility as an ongoing process of self-reflection and learning.
• Highly Collaborative and Inclusive: You enjoy working with diverse groups and know how to build strong partnerships, share power, and contribute meaningfully to a team.
• Strategic and Solutions-Oriented: You enjoy reading technical documents, strategic planning, creating systems, coordinating complex logistics, have exceptional attention to detail, and follow best practices for quality assurance in your work. You accept responsibility, work hard, and collaborate to find and implement solutions.
• Curious, Creative, and Adaptive Leader: You enjoy solving complex problems, developing systems, and can translate ideas into action. You can take initiative and exercise sound judgment while working both independently and collaboratively.

About the Bureau:

Portland Parks & Recreation's mission is to provide equitable access to welcoming places, programs, and services that improve community health and our environment. We envision a parks and recreation system that is responsive to diverse and changing community needs, nurturing health and connection for all.

Together, we work toward equitable outcomes in:
• Accessible, safe, clean, well-maintained public spaces
• Healthy ecosystems and climate change resilience
• Learning, play, and discovery
• Mental, emotional, and physical wellness
• Community and civic connection
• Jobs that support growth and belonging

Diversity and equity are vital to the City’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. The City of Portland values a diverse workforce and seeks ways to promote equity and inclusion within the organization and with the public.

City of Portland 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, candidates who can fluently speak another language should include that information in their application materials. Multilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

Have a question?
Contact Information:
TroyLynn Craft
Senior Recruiter
troylynn.craft@portlandoregon.govThe following minimum qualifications are required for this position:
• Experience developing, coordinating, and evaluating public policy initiatives with an equity lens.
• Experience tracking and analyzing legislation, assessing potential impacts, and coordinating responses within a large organization, coalition, or public sector context.
• Experience conducting policy research and analysis to assess community impacts and inform data-driven decision-making.
• Experience preparing clear, accessible policy materials—including briefs, memos, and presentations—for diverse audiences.
• Experience engaging stakeholders and facilitating inclusive processes to develop policy recommendations that address disparities and support more equitable outcomes.

STEP 1: Apply online between May 19 - June 2, 2025

Required Application Materials:
• Cover letter
• Details are key! The city uses a merit-based system, so your cover letter should be thorough and specifically address each qualification listed in the "To Qualify" section of the job announcement. Your cover letter can exceed one page, to ensure you are able to provide the detailed information for every qualification. Follow the instructions, as a subject matter expert will be evaluating your details to confirm that you meet the minimum requirements.
• Resume
• Answer the three (3) Supplemental Questions (click on the Questions tab to preview the questions)
Optional Application Materials:
• If you wish to request Veteran's Preference, please submit your veteran documents (e.g., DD214-Member 4, VA Benefit Letter) by the recruitment's closing date.
• We have recently updated our veteran preference process. Starting March 3rd, 2025, if you made the eligible list and met the eligibility to receive veteran preference, you will no longer need to submit veteran documents for future recruitments.
• If you need to update or remove your veteran preference for a specific recruitment or from your master profile, please contact the recruiter listed in the job announcement.
Application Tips:
• Your cover letter can exceed one page, to ensure you are able to provide the detailed information for every qualification. A subject matter expert will be evaluating your details to confirm that you meet the minimum requirements.
• Your resume should support the details described in your cover letter.
• How We Determine Pay: The City of Portland is covered by the Oregon Equal Pay Act. Your salary is determined based on the experience listed in your resume that is directly related and equivalent to the position for which you are applying. It is strongly encouraged to include any transferable experience (paid or unpaid regardless of how recent) to ensure your offer is reflective of all your relevant experience.
• Do not attach any additional documents.
• Please note, all completed applications for this position must be submitted no later than on the closing date and time of this recruitment.
• You may use AI tools to assist with your job application, but please ensure that your cover letter reflects your personal touch. Avoid copying and pasting content directly. We encourage you to use AI to generate ideas and then customize them to highlight your unique experiences and skills.
• 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 June 2, 2025
• An evaluation of each applicant's training and paid and unpaid experience, as demonstrated in their resume and cover letter, weighted 100%.
• Your resume and cover letter 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 result. Please read the City of Portland Administrative Rule 3.01 for complete information.
• Additional evaluation may be required prior to establishment of the eligible list and/or final selection.
Step 3: Establishment of Eligible List: Week of June 9, 2025
• Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on the equally ranked eligible list.
Step 4: Selection (Interview): Late June
• Hiring bureau will review and select candidates for an interview.
Step 5: Offer of Employment:

Step 6: Start Date
• A start date will be determined after all conditions of employment have been met.
• Timeline is approximate and subject to change.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
An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer