Program Manager I

Join Our Team at Portland Community College

Portland Community College is the largest post-secondary institution in Oregon and 19th largest in the nation, serving approximately 80,000 full- and part-time students. With four comprehensive campuses, five workforce training and education centers, and 200 community locations in the Portland metropolitan area, our unique role is to make high-quality education accessible to everyone, creating opportunities for our students and contributing to the economic development of our community.

Summary: The Program Manager I leads the Margaret Carter Skills Center (MCSC) in providing accessible education, workforce development, career readiness, and skills-building opportunities. The position ensures programs and services are effectively implemented, responsive to community needs, and aligned with MCSC goals and College priorities. The Program Manager I oversees a focused program area with responsibility for daily operations, staff supervision, program implementation, participant services, operational planning, and routine budget and grant administration. The position provides direct supervision and operational leadership for assigned staff and works collaboratively with the Community Resource Advocate to coordinate participant support, outreach, community partnerships, and resource navigation. The position exercises independent judgment in managing day-to-day operations while working within established College policies and approved program plans.

What You'll Do and Who We Are Looking For

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Program Manager I is responsible for the day-to-day management of MCSC, with direct responsibility for supervising and developing staff, coordinating operations and participant services, and monitoring program resources. The position exercises independent judgment in setting operational priorities, addressing staff and program needs, and ensuring effective service delivery within established College policies, grant requirements, and approved program plans.

Duties and Responsibilities specific to Margaret Carter Skills Center (MCSC)

• Coordinate the implementation of Computer Fundamentals, Sewing, STEAM, CAT Studio, career-readiness, and digital literacy programming.
• Provide day-to-day supervision, coaching, and operational direction to the Community Resource Advocate to ensure effective participant support, referrals, outreach, and community resource coordination.
• Collaborate closely with the Community Resource Advocate to develop outreach strategies, strengthen community partnerships, coordinate participant services, and improve access to resources that support student success.
• Supervise Professional Casual instructors and Office Support staff to ensure effective scheduling, customer service, instructional support, and daily program operations.
• Coordinate participant intake, referrals, follow-up, and engagement activities.
• Monitor instructional supply inventories, facility operations, and equipment needs.
• Recommend operational improvements to the Dean.
• Monitor program participation, engagement, and outcomes; maintain accurate program data and prepare reports to support assessment, grant requirements, and continuous improvement.
• Support implementation of grant-funded activities, including monitoring program expenditures, maintaining required documentation, and ensuring activities align with established grant requirements and program goals.
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with PCC departments, community-based organizations, educational partners, and employers to expand participant access to education, training, career pathways, and supportive resources.
• Coordinate safe and effective operation of instructional and STEAM/CAT Studio spaces, including equipment use, training protocols, supplies, and compliance with applicable college procedures.

These qualifications, skills and abilities are critical for success in this position. Throughout the screening process, you will be evaluated based on the demonstration of these success criteria.

• Demonstrated experience directly supervising employees, not simply serving as a lead. Evidence of setting expectations, coaching, giving feedback, addressing performance concerns, managing conflict, developing employees, and building an accountable and collaborative team.
• Experience independently managing day-to-day operations of a program or service area, including staffing, schedules, services, priorities, facilities/resources, and solving operational problems.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively with diverse and historically underserved communities. Shows cultural responsiveness, relationship-building, understanding of barriers to access, and an ability to create welcoming and inclusive services. Spanish-English bilingual ability is an additional strength.
• Experience with workforce development, adult education, career readiness, digital literacy, college access, community education, CTE/STEAM, or similar programming. Understands how education and skills development connect participants to employment, education, and career pathways.
• Demonstrated ability to monitor budgets or grant-funded activities, maintain documentation, use data to track participation/outcomes, prepare reports, and ensure work is completed according to requirements and established goals.
• Demonstrated ability to build productive relationships with community organizations, educational partners, employers, internal departments, and other stakeholders. Communicates clearly, follows through, and can represent MCSC professionally.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Adult Education, Social Science, Business Administration, Educational Leadership, or related field. Relevant experience may substitute year-for-year.
• Three years of progressively responsible experience in community education, workforce development, student services, or a related area.
• Two years of progressively responsible supervisory or management experience, including direct responsibility for supervising staff, providing coaching and performance feedback, managing employee performance, and supporting staff development.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish preferred.
• Experience leading workforce development, adult education, college access, career pathways, community engagement, or student success programs.
• Experience building cross-sector partnerships and managing grants, contracts, budgets, and program operations.
• Experience using data to evaluate effectiveness, strengthen programs, and advance equitable student outcomes.
• Knowledge of workforce readiness, digital literacy, STEAM/CTE, and micro-credentials, with demonstrated experience serving diverse and historically underserved populations through culturally responsive and inclusive practices.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

• Work is generally performed in office, classroom, laboratory, and community settings with occasional travel between PCC locations and partner sites.

Why You'll Love Working Here

The PCC district encompasses a 1,500-square-mile area in northwest Oregon and offers two-year degrees, one-year certificate programs, short-term training, alternative education, pre-college courses and life-long learning. As part of our College community, you'll enjoy:

• A collaborative and inspiring campus community
• Opportunities for learning and professional development

Portland Community College embraces equity and inclusion as a priority. We are committed to building a community with a variety of backgrounds, skills, views, and life experiences. The more we value equity and inclusion, the more we will add value to the work we do and how we serve our students, engage with each other, and the Oregon Community that we serve. Creating a culture that honors equity and inclusion is our objective and the smart path forward.

Position Grade

Management I

Employment Type

Full time

Total Rewards Package / What We Offer

• Comprehensive benefit package designed to provide employees and their families, including domestic partners, with access to a broad range of benefit options. Includes Health, Dental, and Vision options, Group Life, Long-term Disability, Long-term Care, and Auto and Home Insurance programs
• Oregon PERS contribution - PCC currently fully funds the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS/OPSRP) pension and contributes an additional 6% into the employee's Individual Account Program under PERS/OPSRP
• Tax deferred annuity program and a deferred compensation program where employees may save additional pre-tax dollars for retirement
• PCC provides a tuition waiver for you, your spouse/domestic partner, and dependent children under 24 years of age, as well as partial tuition reimbursement for full-time employees at other accredited institutions
• Free access to the sport centers / campus gymnasiums, performing arts, and cultural events
• Generous Paid Leave (Pro-rated by FTE for Part-Time Employees) reference Management and Confidential Employee Handbook
• 14.67 hours of vacation leave per month
• 1 day of sick leave per month
• 12 paid holidays
• PCC Winter Break (when College is Closed)
• 24 hours of personal leave per year

More detailed information on the benefits plans, who is eligible, and how to enroll or make changes can be found at pcc.edu/hr/benefits