Are you an experienced mechanical system installer or designer who is passionate about ensuring the safety of mechanical systems and installations in Portland’s buildings? If so, the City of Portland could benefit from your talents.
Purpose of the Mechanical Code Board of Appeal
The Mechanical Code Board of Appeal consists of three members and three alternates appointed by the Mayor. The members must be qualified to decide matters concerning the safety of installations and devices regulated by Portland City Code Title 27 (Heating and Ventilating Regulations). This code regulates “the design, construction, installation, quality of materials, location, operation, and maintenance of heating, ventilating, comfort cooling, refrigeration systems, incinerators, and other miscellaneous heat-producing appliances.”
The Mechanical Code Board of Appeal hears appeals of Oregon Mechanical Specialty Code (OMSC) issues that are appealed beyond the Administrative Appeals Board. The Mechanical Code Board of Appeal may affirm, overturn or modify the action of the Administrative Appeals Board on the condition that a substantially equivalent modification to a proposed heating or ventilation system does not lessen health, accessibility, life and fire safety or structural requirements of a building. The Mechanical Code Board of Appeal may allow an alternative material, design or method of construction and equipment that complies with the intent of the OMSC so long as the material, method or work proposed is at least the equivalent of that prescribed in the code in quality, strength, effectiveness, fire resistance, durability, accessibility and safety.
Eligibility
To be eligible to serve on the Mechanical Code Board of Appeal, members must live, play, worship, work or do business in the City of Portland.
Members and alternates must be qualified by experience and training to evaluate and ensure the safety of installations and devices regulated by Portland City Code Title 27, Heating and Ventilation Regulations, and subject to the requirements of OMSC. Alternates may be called on to serve in the absence of a regular member.
The City of Portland is currently recruiting for three member positions and one alternate.
Desired attributes
The Bureau of Development Services is at a point of significant transformation as the Bureau expands the ways it interacts with and provides services to the public, with a shift to more online and remote services becoming available. It is critically important to have people of color at the table, providing their advice, perspectives and feedback on new ways the Bureau and its partner bureaus serve the community through the application of building codes.
We need systems, processes and services that work for people of color. If you want to assist in the review and application of mechanical codes in better serving communities of color, and you have experience and training in construction and development that can inform this Board’s work, then we want to see your application. The attributes listed below are what will guide our selection process. We do not expect you to be or have everything listed:
- You believe government is better when the community is involved.
- You have an interest in effective, equitable application of building codes.
- You are an advocate for racial equity: you want positive and long-lasting outcomes for racial and ethnic communities who have been left out before. You can bring discussion about racial and ethnic communities who need it the most.
- You believe in the value of public participation in government processes.
- You can work collaboratively and effectively with people representing diverse interests.
- You are available to attend all meetings and participate in the discussions.
- You are a competent heating and cooling professional who has practiced their profession for at least three years.
Terms and time commitment
- The Mechanical Code Board of Appeal meets on an as-needed basis and not more than once a month.
- Meetings are traditionally held in City offices at 1900 SW 4th Avenue. However, due to recent public health restrictions, meetings are currently held online via Zoom. All meetings of the Board are open to the public.
- Members serve a term of three years with the possibility of renewing for a second three-year term.
- Members are expected to attend and participate in meetings consistently. Members are expected to prepare for meetings on their own time and arrive ready to discuss meeting materials and agenda items. Meeting materials for review are typically sent one week in advance.
We remove barriers
- If needed, we can provide interpreters who will translate the conversation in your language during the meeting. Please ask for an interpreter at least a week in advance of the meeting so we have enough time to make arrangements.
- You may need to read and write in your language. Verbal and written translations are performed by outside organizations. The dialects may be different than your home region and may be different on each document.
- We will try to translate the written materials you ask for, but we may not be able to provide translation on all meeting documents.
Please let us know if there are barriers to your participation. Parking passes will be available if you need those to participate fully.
Public Official Conflict of Interest Notice
Those selected to serve on this body will be legally considered public officials for the duration of their service. As such, they will be required to publicly disclose potential conflicts of interest. Having potential conflicts of interest does not preclude you from serving on this body and may not impact your ability to participate fully on this body. Stakeholders often have potential conflicts of interest by the nature of having an interest in construction and development matters. The Conflict of Interest Disclosure is included in the application. Please describe all potential or actual conflicts of interest on your application.
Application
Applications are due no later than 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, May 7, 2023.
Please apply for appointment to this committee here.
To talk with someone about this opportunity or to receive assistance completing the application, please contact the committee’s staff liaison, Matthew Rozzell, at matthew.rozzell@portlandoregon… or 971-438-9005.
Voluntary and confidential demographic information
The City of Portland is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equity and uses provided demographic 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. The City will treat this information as confidential to the fullest extent allowed by law.
For more information
For more information about the Mechanical Code Board of Appeal, please visit its website.