Join the Portland Utility Board

Questions about serving on the Portland Utility Board? Interested in talking with a current Board member about their experiences on the Board?

Contact us anytime utilityboard@portlandoregon.gov or 971-313-0999.

The Portland Utility Board recruitment has closed for 2026-2027 fiscal year. 

If you are interested in serving on the board in a future year or if you have questions about your pending application, please contact us at the email address above. View the previous position posting online here to learn more about the application process for next year.

Serving on the Portland Utility Board (PUB) is a unique opportunity to give community voice, perspective, and influence on the budget and policy decisions of Portland's utilities through the Portland Water Bureau, Bureau of Environmental Services, and City Council.

You'll have the opportunity to gain knowledge about the inner workings of the Portland Water Bureau and the Bureau of Environmental Services; the policy and budget issues related to water, sewer, and utilities; and how City government works. You will use and develop your skills and experience working on a collaborative board and presenting recommendations to bureau leadership and elected officials.

We Welcome All Skills and Experience!

The Portland Utility Board is looking to include a broad range of lived experiences, community connections, volunteer experience, and work experience to ensure the board's work reflects the communities served by Portland's utilities. The board looks for board members who will advocate for communities they are connected to or represent, as well as give voice to those who are not in the room.

Please apply if any of these describe you:

• You are an advocate for anti-racism, equity, diversity, inclusion, and justice.
• You believe in the value of contributing to the community and to good governance.
• You have an interest in environmental justice in this time of climate crisis, water, sewer, storm water, affordability, public and watershed health, or building resilience.
• You are committed to collaboration, transparency, and accountability.

No prior experience serving on boards or working with utilities is necessary, just an interest in and commitment to these topics. You might have just the experience, skill, or interest to complement the team!

Support for your participation

Below is information regarding supports we provide. Please let us know if we missed anything that could help you participate!

Virtual meetings — Most meetings are currently conducted virtually via Zoom with automated captioning. Participation requires an Internet connection as well as a computer, tablet or smartphone capable of supporting audio and video running the Zoom application. If the technology requirements for serving on the Board present a barrier for you, please do not let that stop you from applying. Contact Board staff so we can support your technology needs.

Transportation and food — If meeting in person, TriMet and/or parking passes will be available. Food that accommodates dietary needs may also be provided.

Interpretation and Translation —We can provide interpretation and translation to support your participation on the PUB.

Materials in an alternative format, auxiliary aids, or other accommodations —We can provide materials in an alternative format, auxiliary aids, or other accommodations to support your participation on the PUB.

Payment/Stipend - PUB voting members may receive a monetary payment of up to $500 per calendar year from the city for volunteer service. The payment is a stipend to remove barriers to participate and in recognition of voluntary participation in the PUB's work and acknowledgement of the unique contributions of diverse lived experiences, perspectives, and areas of expertise.

Do not let a barrier deter you from applying! Please contact Board staff with any requests, questions, or concerns so we can address them together.

Highlights of the Board's recent accomplishments and priorities:

Affordability — The Board prioritizes affordability by engaging with the utility bureaus about collections and financial assistance programs and by encouraging policies and practices that center the needs of those most impacted by structural inequities. The PUB continues to engage on the review and implementation of the Smart Discount Pilot program and supports program enhancements to improve the ease and reach of assistance programs 

Infrastructure, climate resilience, and environmental protections  – Over the past few years, PUB has focused on ensuring that funding and policies balance affordability with the infrastructure needs for a sustainable system. Reinforcing the City's climate commitments is particularly important with federal policies shifting away from protecting the right to clean air, clean water and elimination of dangerous chemicals and pollutants. The Board advocates that any exceptions to environmental regulations should focus on advancing supports to vulnerable and overburdened populations, while also documenting metrics to track outcomes compared to goals.

Budget development and monitoring – The Board spends a substantial amount of their time understanding and engaging with leadership on budget analysis and recommendations, engaging with bureau staff, Deputy City Administrator and Council. Areas of focus have included concerns regarding insufficient rate increases for infrastructure and service needs, ensuring equity in decisions and addressing the increasing financial pressures of the utilities.

Engagement around City organizational structure changes – Heightened transparency and effective public engagement are critical during this time of significant reorganization as well as in the upcoming consolidation as one unified Utility Bureau. The PUB advocates for effective engagement of PUB and other advisory boards on decisions  impacting bureaus and their services. The Board advocates for maximum public input early in the decision making processes, expecting the Board, bureaus, and 12 City Councilors to enable robust and informative public comment periods and to pursue opportunities to increase responsiveness to public input

These are priorities that they continue to work on in the coming year!

Typical Time Commitment Serving on the Board

Typical Time Commitment Serving on the Board

Currently, most Board meetings are done virtually until the Board decides otherwise.  If you need a virtual meeting option during any in-person meeting, we are happy to provide that support.

Term length — Three-year terms for voting members, One-Year terms for ex-officio members.

Monthly time commitment — Board members estimate the monthly time commitment to be 7-15 hours based on your participation in projects. Board work is conducted in meetings on regular dates set by the members and requires some between meeting work. This includes: 

• Monthly board meetings —Two monthly board meetings during standard business hours. Currently, the first Tuesdays, 3:30 pm-5:00pm and third Thursdays, 11:00am-12:30pm. Time and location subject to change by a Board decision and support provided to allow participation whether virtual or in-person. These are the meetings where board decisions and actions are made and are typically recorded.
• Optional subcommittee meetings — Occasionally subcommittee meetings are scheduled to work in-depth on an issue. Attendance is optional based on interest in helping develop the topic that will be considered by the Board.
• Between meeting work —Reviewing meeting materials with the expectation that you come to meetings prepared for discussion. Meeting materials may be sent between 7 days and 48 hours ahead of scheduled meetings.
• Administrative Review Committee —Opportunity to participate in  administrative review committee meetings run by the bureaus. The meeting times currently occur on weekdays (typically Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.). We encourage participation at least once or twice per year based on availability. The purpose of the Administrative Review Committee is to review ratepayer requests for account adjustments, proposed account actions, and other disputes concerning water, sewer, and/or stormwater accounts that the bureaus' Customer Services group has been unable to resolve. Current Board members have said that participation on administrative review committees enhances their ability to weigh in on policy issues that impact the bureaus' work.

New board member orientation — New members will also need approximately 4-10 hours for onboarding on topics such as City budgeting, the bureaus' operations and strategic plans, and your role as an appointed public official. Where possible, materials are provided to watch and review on your own time and any training is scheduled around individual availability in the first few months of service.

It is the policy of the City of Portland that no person shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in any city program, service, or activity on the grounds of race, color, national origin, disability, or other protected class status. Adhering to Civil Rights Title VI and ADA Title II civil rights laws, the City of Portland ensures meaningful access to City programs, services, and activities by reasonably providing: translation and interpretation, modifications, accommodations, alternative formats, and auxiliary aids and services.  To request these services, or to file a complaint of discrimination, contact utilityboard@portlandoregon.gov or call 971-313-0999 or 311 (503-823-4000), for Relay Service and TTY: 711.