Office Specialist 2

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At the Oregon Department of Agriculture we pride ourselves on the diversity of our workplace and are continuously seeking to recruit individuals who will enhance this diversity and, ultimately, the effectiveness of our organization.

The Oregon Department of Agriculture takes pride in providing jobs within our community that offer competitive pay, comprehensive benefits and career-path opportunities for our employees.

Professional Development Opportunity

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This year the Professional Certificate in Tribal Relations, offered by the Institute of Tribal Government (ITG) in the Mark O. Hatfield School of Government, will be opening five of its sessions to the public as an professional development opportunity. These virtual Zoom sessions will welcome guest speakers from tribal, federal, state or local government agencies as well as nonprofit organizations to provide a wide range of perspectives on each session topic listed below.
The sessions are currently pending approval for Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) credits by the Oregon State Bar. Please feel free to contact us for any questions regarding MCLE credits.
Sign up for any or all of the sessions listed below. Each session is tentatively scheduled from 10am to 3pm. Detailed agendas will be available closer to each date:
  • Friday, April 9: “Tribal Governments & Governance”
  • Friday, May 14: “Intertribal & Intergovernmental Relations”
  • Friday, July 9: “Non-Federally Recognized Tribes & Non-Reservation Tribal Communities”
  • Friday, August 6: “Trends in Tribal Capacity & Emerging Issues”

Learn More and Register

ONAC IS HIRING!!!

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The Oregon Native American Chamber (ONAC) is searching for two part-time Small Business Resource Navigators and a Part-time Program Coordinator. We are looking for individuals who will have had previous experience/familiarity with Native entrepreneurial communities.
ONAC is a State-wide Chamber, focusing on support and Advocacy for Native-American business communities. We do this work through our pillar of service; Building Relationships, Education & Growth, and Economic Justice & Transformation.
These positions are based out of Portland, OR, but will remote throughout 2021. We will be responding to applicants by April 5th, 2021.
Please see the links below for more information.

USDA is Seeking Applications for Funding to Support Rural Microenterprises

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Applications are accepted year-round
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development is accepting applications for loans and grants to support rural microenterprises.

 

USDA’s Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP) provides loans of $50,000 to $500,000 to establish rural microloan revolving funds that help microenterprises start up or expand. The revolving funds may be used to provide working capital, refinance debt, purchase equipment and supplies, or improve real estate.

 

The program also provides grants of up to $205,000 to help provide training and technical assistance to rural microenterprises and microentrepreneurs. Nonprofits, federally-recognized tribes, and institutions of higher education operating as Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) are eligible to apply. They can use the funding to support businesses with 10 or fewer full-time employees located in rural areas with a population of 50,000 or less.

 

Applications are accepted year-round. To discuss a potential project, contact Eben Fisher, Business and Cooperative Program Specialist, (541) 278-8049 x129.


For more information:
Questions related to USDA Business Programs in Oregon may be directed to a local Business and Cooperative Specialist.

Oregon Community Foundation Scholarships – Apply Now!

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Oregon Community Foundation Scholarships – Apply Now!

The applications for 2021-2022 scholarships are open. The deadline for application submission is March 1st. The Oregon Community Foundation annually awards over $10 million in scholarships to Oregon students through our statewide scholarship program. Two of these scholarship programs are targeted specifically to Native American students.

VERL AND DOROTHY MILLER NATIVE AMERICAN SCHOLARSHIP
Eligible students include Native American residents of Oregon attending or planning to attend an accredited school in Oregon to study a trade or vocational study (e.g., dental hygienist, nursing assistant, x-ray technician, etc.). Award amount varies, award is automatically renewable for up to four years as long as student meets criteria. Click here to download the application.

HOWARD VOLLUM AMERICAN INDIAN SCHOLARSHIP
Eligible students include Native American residents of Clackamas, Multnomah, Washington and Clark counties seeking post-secondary education or training in science, computer science, engineering or mathematics at an accredited school in the United States. The awards are for $3,000 / year and are renewable for up to four years but students need to reapply each year. Click here to download the application.

Criteria for both scholarships

* Participation in school or community activities

* Personal accomplishments or achievements

* Preference given to students who have a demonstrated commitment to and involvement in the Native American community

* Open to students with a Certification of tribal enrollment or descendants of enrolled members

Deadline:  Scholarship applications are due March 1st for the 2021-2022 academic year.

How to Apply:  Please fill out the attached applications (including transcripts) and mail them to:

Harper Pulsipher

Oregon Community Foundation

1221 SW Yamhill Street, Suite 100

Portland, OR 97205

The application can also be emailed to hpulsipher@oregoncf.org, faxed (503.274.2771) or hand-delivered to our downtown office. Applications and instructions are also available on OCF’s website at https://oregoncf.org/grants-and-scholarships/scholarships/

Questions: Contact Harper Pulsipher, Administrative Assistance for Scholarships, at hpulsipher@oregoncf.org or call 503.227.6846

For additional scholarship opportunities, please check http://www.oregonstudentaid.gov/.

 

Introducing the Student Recovery Corps in Portland

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oregon banner
Oregon

Portland friends,

It has been a particularly challenging time. But as we look to brighter days, the University of Oregon is launching the Student Recovery Corps in Portland during the summer of 2021. This program will connect talented undergraduate UO students with community partners throughout the region for a 10-week internship opportunity.

Students will receive a philanthropically funded stipend from the university and trusted partners will host one student over the summer session.

Will you help make this program a success by hosting an intern at no cost to you? Do you have a project or specific type of work a student could tackle to help advance the mission, recovery and advancement of your business or organization?

Our partnerships will focus on small business, non-profit, education, and civic agencies who would benefit from internship assistance. In addition to other placements, our hope is to connect interns with organizations with a demonstrated commitment to racial justice and to businesses sectors particularly impacted by COVID-19, such as Black- and minority-owned businesses.

Please fill out this brief form and we’ll give you a call to talk through the possibilities. More details are available on the Student Recovery Corps website.

We are excited to connect the bright young minds of tomorrow with your leadership and experience.

Apply now to host an intern Summer 2021

Job opportunity in Portland with Groovemade

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Job Position
Production (Maker)

 

Description
Production team members perform tasks involved in the manufacturing of the company’s products. The
position follows standard work methods and practices safe work habits to ensure production is as efficient
and safe as possible. Processes are constantly updated in our spirit of continuous improvement.
Manufacturing experience is preferred but not required. This is a physical job that will require lots of
sanding in our woodshop, which has a number of loud and dusty machines and running tools.

 

Essential Tasks
Gluing of parts
Hand and power sanding
Applying a finish coat to products
Assembling products using bolts, screws, and other fasteners
Reporting quality control issues
Maintaining a clean and safe work area
Process improvement

 

Competencies
Open to feedback
Attention to detail
Teamwork oriented
Time management
Adaptability
Flexibility

 

Position Type
This is a full-time seasonal position with the possibility of being hired on. Hours are Monday through
Friday and can range from 7:00am to 5:00pm. (Typically 8:00am to 4:00pm) Approximately
35-40hrs/week. Compensation is $13.50 – $15.00 per hour depending on skill level, with the opportunity to
increase with skill level.

What do we do?
We design and make premium accessories in our workshop in Portland, Oregon.
Visit us and see what we do at www.grovemade.com
Grovemade Values

Embrace Truth. Be Open. Always Get Better. Put Team First.

We work for more than just making a living. Fundamentally, life should be meaningful and we believe that
focusing on happiness first will naturally lead to success and great products for our customers.
We have a fun loving, hard working, and professional environment with high expectations. Emphasis is on
open mindedness, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

Contact:

Interested? Email your resume to victor@grovemade.com. We look forward to hearing from
you!Victor

Grovemade, 6524 N. Albina Avenue, Portland, OR 97217

Business Organizations Focused on Underserved Small Businesses Awarded $3 Million in Grants to Address Pandemic Impacts

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 7, 2020
Business Organizations Focused on Underserved Small Businesses Awarded $3 Million in Grants to Address Pandemic Impacts

Today, Business Oregon announced awards from one of the latest programs the agency quickly stood up to serve businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The state’s economic development agency is awarding 23 grants totaling $3 million that will provide technical assistance to underserved small businesses across the state. Funding was allocated by the Oregon legislature and Governor Kate Brown as part of the state’s pandemic response.

“No one can do this work alone,” said Business Oregon Director Chris Cummings. “This funding allows us to get resources in the hands of twenty-three experienced organizations as we partner together to serve traditionally underserved small businesses across the state. It bolsters the outcomes of the other programs we have launched to offset the enormous impacts the COVID-19 pandemic has had on small businesses.”

The program was crafted to serve businesses whose needs are unmet by existing resources and who face systemic barriers to small business success. These focus areas include minority- and women-owned businesses, and rural businesses. The program is aligned to focus on groups identified in Governor Brown’s Equity Framework in COVID-19 Response and Recovery.

One grant recipient is the Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber, receiving a $290,000 grant to serve Latinx small business owners in Oregon.

“With Covid-19 affecting the Latinx community disproportionally, the Hispanic Chamber is happy to receive this award and expand its reach to serve a larger number of businesses affected by the crisis,” said Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber Executive Director Carmen Castro. “The Hispanic Chamber has more than 26 years of experience providing culturally-specific technical assistance to the community and will work hard to help small Latinx businesses weather this storm.”

The program provides funding for experienced organizations to deliver direct technical assistance for their small business clients. Technical assistance refers to the education, resources, and guidance provided to entrepreneurs and small business owners to help them sustain and grow businesses.

Examples of technical assistance awardees will provide for small businesses include, but are not limited to:

  • Business plan review and assistance
  • Helping access capital, loan application support
  • Mentoring / cohort business coaching
  • Referrals / training
  • Financial literacy / credit counseling
  • Specialized help – accounting, legal, HR
  • Technology services – web development, e-commerce
  • Recruitment and screening

The following organizations will be awarded funds, contingent upon successful contract negotiation between Business Oregon and funding recipients. Applications were reviewed by an evaluation committee for eligibility with state and federal funding guidelines, and alignment with program goals. All projects must be completed and grant funds must be expended by December 30, 2020. Unexpended funds will be returned to the U.S. Treasury in accordance with the CARES Act of 2020.

Recipient Amount
Adelante Mujeres $70,000
Applegate CDC $21,000
Ashland Chamber $60,000
Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon (APANO) $50,000
Black American Chamber of Commerce (BACC) & Philippine American Chamber of Commerce of Oregon (PACCO) $275,000
Centro Cultural $100,000
Economic Development of Central Oregon (EDCO) $40,000
Hacienda CDC $134,000
High Desert Partnership $300,000
Hispanic Chamber $290,000
Huerto de la Familia $52,000
Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) $140,000
Latino Built $90,000
Metro Contractor Improvement Partnership $125,000
Micro Enterprise Resources, Initiatives, and Training (MERIT) $75,000
Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (MESO) $150,000
Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA) $120,000
Oregon Native American Chamber (ONAC) $300,000
Professional Business Development Group $170,000
RAIN $100,000
Rural Development Initiatives (RDI) $200,000
Umatilla Electrical Co-op $18,000
Urban League of Portland $120,000

Media Contact: Nathan Buehler, 503-689-3559.

Business Oregon, the state’s economic development agency, invests in Oregon businesses, communities, and people to promote a globally competitive, diverse, and inclusive economy. The agency’s services span rural community development and infrastructure financing; business retention, expansion and recruitment; export promotion and international trade; investments in industry research and development and entrepreneurship; small business assistance; and support for arts and cultural organizations. Learn more at www.oregon4biz.com
Copyright © 2020 Business Oregon
Our address is 775 Summer St NE, Suite 200, Salem, OR 97301, USA

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(You can also send your request to Customer Care at the street address above.)

NACF is Hiring a Director of Finance

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Do you have a passion for Native arts and cultures? The Native Arts and Cultures Foundation (NACF) is a Native-led national organization dedicated to promoting the revitalization, appreciation, and perpetuation of indigenous arts and cultures. Its mission is to advance equity and cultural knowledge, focusing on the power of arts and collaboration to strengthen Native communities and promote positive social change with American Indian, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska Native people in the United States. Through its program initiatives, NACF supports Native artists, culture bearers, and projects that are focused on environmental, cultural, and social change.  We support artists to create new work, develop their arts practice, and produce projects in collaboration with communities.  Support includes financial resources, artist training, and professional development, presenting and promoting artist work, and project management. NACF will continue with community engagement across the continental 48 states, Alaska and Hawaii as it pertains to raising the visibility and availability of Native resources and knowledge to address cultural equity, anti-racism, and decolonization.

Located in the Pacific Northwest, an area known for its rich Native traditions and dedication to artistic endeavors, NACF is based out of Vancouver, Washington and Portland, Oregon. This year Yale Union, a contemporary arts center, repatriated their Portland, Oregon 40,000-square-foot building to NACF and in 2021 it will become the Center for Native Arts and Cultures.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

The director of finance is responsible for the overall financial health and operation of the organization.  The DOF reports to the president and is the senior staff person for finance, accounting and investments. In addition to providing counsel and strategic support to the president on all financial matters, the DOF also serves as an advisor to the board and is the staff lead with the board’s finance committee. While this position is the executive level finance person the size of the staff is such that the DOF will also be required to perform more routine day-to-day tasks, e.g. bookkeeping entries and bank deposits.

Application Deadline:  August 24, 2020

Read the full job description here!

APPLY NOW

PGE- Helping Small Business Customers

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COVID-19

Supporting our small business customers during the coronavirus pandemic

En español

Helping our customers

We understand the hardship you and your business are facing right now. Here are some of the steps we’re taking to help:

  • Offering payment options to help make paying bills more manageable
  • Waiving all third-party debit/credit card transaction fees for payments up to $600
  • Committing $250,000 in energy assistance to directly help our customers impacted by COVID-19
  • Donating $50,000 to the Oregon Community Foundation’s Small Business Stabilization Fund

Bill Support

If you need help with your bill, we offer several options to fit your unique needs.

  • Request more time to pay: You can request a payment extension 24/7 by logging in to your account or calling our automated phone system at the numbers below.
  • Change your due date: If you need to change the day your bill is due each month, you can do that online or by calling us. Please note that it will take a full billing cycle for any change to take effect.
  • Call us for a payment plan: We will work with you to set up payment arrangements that work for you. A payment arrangement operates like an interest-free loan and will help you with your bill balance.
  • Request energy assistance: PGE is committing $250,000 in energy assistance to directly help our customers impacted by COVID-19. Call our customer service team to see if you qualify.

Help saving energy

As your business adapts to this time and changes to how you operate, it’s natural to worry about how your energy bill impacts your bottom line. Here are a few tools to manage your energy bill and use.

  1. Get bill alerts: Keeping tabs on your upcoming bill amount can remind you to take extra steps to save energy. Sign up online or on the PGE app for weekly bill estimates or alerts that your bill may exceed an amount you’ve set.
  2. Track your energy use: Our online Energy Tracker tool shows you when and how you’re using energy, and how to save. To start, simply sign in to your account.
  3. Get tips on how to control your energy costs: Whether your business is temporarily closed, running slimmer operations or fully open, there are ways to keep your business secure and improve your air quality while still saving energy.

Ways to pay your bill

To help customers stay safe and practice social distancing, our community offices are closed until further notice.

  • We are temporarily removing no-check and cash-only restrictions for customers, allowing everyone to safely pay using their checking account electronically or with a physical check by mail.
  • Our self-service payment options are available during this time, and we are temporarily waiving any third-party debit/credit transaction fees for payments up to $600: