The City of Newport, Oregon is seeking a visionary Economic Mobility Program Manager to address our community’s pressing challenges — from housing affordability to workforce development and financial empowerment.
This two-year, grant-funded role in partnership with the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) — the leading professional association for local government leaders — offers national-level training, coaching, and strategic guidance to help you create lasting, equitable change.
For non-local hires, we’ll help you settle in with short-term housing — a furnished apartment with a partial rent subsidy for your first three months. Just bring your clothes!

What You’ll Do
Serve as the City’s lead strategist on economic mobility and equity.
Identify systemic barriers that limit residents’ ability to achieve financial security and upward mobility.
Develop and implement data-informed projects in key areas such as workforce development, housing stability, education pathways, and financial empowerment.
Coordinate with leadership to integrate economic mobility goals into city planning, budgeting, and service delivery.
Facilitate inclusive community engagement processes to co-design and implement solutions with residents, nonprofits, businesses, and institutions.
Build strong cross-sector partnerships to align and advance shared goals.
Develop metrics and dashboards to track impact and drive continuous improvement.
Prepare and present reports, policy recommendations, and implementation plans to City leadership, elected officials, and community stakeholders.
Support and comply with all grant reporting requirements, ensuring timely and accurate submissions to ICMA.
Participate in annual convenings and periodic cohort meetings with ICMA to exchange strategies and best practices.

What You Bring
Senior-level leadership experience guiding complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives.
Expertise in community development, economic mobility, equity, housing, or public policy.
Strong project management skills and a track record of building productive partnerships.
Ability to engage diverse audiences with clarity and purpose.
Experience using data to inform strategies and measure results.
Understanding of equity principles and proven approaches to dismantling systemic barriers.
A degree in public administration, planning, social sciences, or a related field — or equivalent experience that demonstrates your readiness to lead at this level.

Why Join Us
This is more than a position — it’s a platform to create meaningful change in a community ready to take bold steps forward. You’ll work alongside dedicated colleagues, committed partners, and national experts to design and deliver solutions with lasting impact. With the resources, mentorship, and collaborative network provided by ICMA, you’ll have the tools to turn vision into action and leave a legacy of measurable, positive change for Newport’s residents.

Qualifications
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
Serve as the City’s lead strategist on issues related to economic mobility and equity.
Identify strategic priorities and systemic barriers impacting residents’ ability to achieve financial security and economic advancement.
Develop and implement data-informed projects, programs, and initiatives focused on workforce development, income growth, housing stability, education pathways, financial empowerment, and other key mobility factors.
Facilitate inclusive community engagement processes to co-design, implement, and oversee strategies with impacted communities, community-based organizations, and local institutions.
Build and maintain strong relationships across city departments, partner agencies, nonprofit stakeholders, and the business community to advance aligned economic mobility goals.
Develop metrics and performance dashboards to evaluate impact and inform continuous improvement.
Draft and present written reports, implementation plans, and policy recommendations to internal leadership, elected officials, and community stakeholders.
Collaborate with leadership to ensure integration of economic mobility goals into city planning, budgeting, and service delivery.
Ensure compliance with all reporting requirements associated with the partnership, including preparing and submitting timely, accurate progress reports and data in accordance with ICMA guidelines.
Attend annual convenings and periodic cohort meetings with ICMA.
Conduct ongoing research and policy analysis to inform initiatives.
Prepare grant proposals and manage budgets for economic mobility-related projects.
Lead or participate in cross-departmental teams focused on equity and economic inclusion.
Perform other duties as assigned.

JOB QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
MINIMUM/MANDATORY EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
Any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the duties as described. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge, skills, and abilities would be a degree in public administration, social sciences, economics, public policy, or a closely related field; and four (4) years of related experience in public sector or non-profit budgeting, financial analysis, or accounting; one (1) to three (3) years of experience in a related area of community or workforce development. Or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job, including at least three (3) years of progressively complex experience in economic development, community engagement, workforce development, or a related field.

KNOWLEDGE:
Familiarity with local government functions and interagency collaboration. In-depth understanding of economic mobility factors, including income, wealth-building, education, employment, health, and housing. Familiarity with structural and institutional barriers to equity and economic advancement. Knowledge of program development, strategic planning, and community-centered design methodologies. Understanding of budgeting, grants management, and performance evaluation frameworks. Knowledge of grant programs and processes, including accounting and financial reporting. Proficiency in financial management software, including spreadsheets and databases. Skill in presentation techniques and community outreach. Knowledge of principles of effective public relations and engagement with community groups, agencies, private businesses, and other government entities. Understanding of city organizational goals and Council policy. Knowledge of leadership principles, conflict resolution, negotiation, and problem-solving.

SKILLS:
Strong project management and organizational skills. Proficiency in conflict resolution, negotiation, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Skilled in the use of personal computers, standard office equipment, and a variety of software programs. Strong customer service orientation and interpersonal skills. Excellent oral and written communication skills for a variety of audiences. Competence in business English, spelling, and punctuation. Strong time management, reasoning, analytical, and decision-making abilities, combined with sound judgment and professionalism. Strong writing, leadership, and facilitation skills. Strategic thinker with the ability to design and execute high-impact initiatives. Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including public presentations and report writing. Ability to synthesize complex data and information to support decision-making. Skilled at building relationships across diverse communities and stakeholder groups.

ABILITIES:
Ability to interpret complex grant requirements, budget projections, and government regulations. Ability to review work for compliance with standards and maintain confidentiality and sound judgment in sensitive situations. Capacity to gain working knowledge of Oregon municipal procedures, including public records, ethics, and elections. Ability to build trust, communicate effectively, and work with diverse stakeholders including the public, co-workers, elected officials, and leadership. Capable of leading cross-functional teams, managing multi-stakeholder initiatives, and working independently while aligned with organizational goals. Able to manage multiple projects and competing deadlines, maintain effective systems, promote positive public relations, and foster a collaborative team environment. Demonstrated flexibility, adaptability, and commitment to excellence. Able to function in fast-paced environments with interruptions and varying demands. Ability to write clearly, present effectively, provide training, and interpret policies. Ability to operate a motor vehicle for City business and attend evening meetings as needed. Physical ability to perform essential job functions.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Valid Oregon Driver’s License at time of hire.
Willingness to travel periodically for cohort convenings and professional development.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Master’s degree in public administration, public policy, or a related field
Experience working in or with local governments or public agencies
Experience using performance metrics and dashboards to evaluate public sector impact
Experience in education, financial literacy, housing, or community development
Bilingual in English and Spanish

Physical Demands
The employee is frequently required to sit, stand, bend, and communicate. Must be able to occasionally lift or move materials up to 25 pounds. Manual dexterity required approximately 60% of the work period. Must be able to perform work indoors and occasionally attend site visits or community events outdoors.

WORKING CONDITIONS/WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work location is primarily indoors where work occurs under usual office working conditions

How to Apply
All applications for this position must be submitted via our online application system at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/cityofnewport.

Please submit a cover letter and resume with your application. Please do not fax, mail or e-mail any documentation. You will receive a confirmation email when your application has been successfully submitted.

The City of Newport is an EEO and veteran's preference employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under state, federal or local law.

All offers of employment are subject to successful completion of a pre-employment background check, reference checking, and in the case of safety sensitive positions, drug and alcohol testing.

The City of Newport follows Oregon law regarding Veterans’ Preference in Public Employment. If you are requesting Veterans’ Preference, you must complete the Veteran's Preference Form and attach a copy of your DD214 / DD215. If you are a disabled veteran, you must also include a copy of your Veteran's Administration benefit summary/award letter with your application.