Recreation Leader - Arts; Visual

Contact Information:

Amanda Hillebrecht

The Position:

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.

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.

• Support the 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 operate equipment 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, letter presses, 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

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 &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.