1) How and when did your employment journey begin with the City of Portland?

I was working at the State of Oregon’s Procurement Services office when a friend of mine let me know there was an opening at the City of Portland’s Technology Procurement Services group.  I had always wanted procure technology (IT) full time and work in Portland, so I applied, and in 2012 I was hired on as the Senior Technology Procurement Specialist.

2) What is your current role?

I was promoted in March of 2018, so now I am the City’s Technology Contracts Coordinator.  It is very similar my prior job as the Senior Technology Procurement Specialist, except in my new role I am more focused on writing Contracts and Amendments.  I find writing just the right sentence to capture everyone’s intent and interests to be a fun and interesting challenge.  That makes this job a good fit for me.

3) Name one thing that you enjoy most or look forward to about your job?

I love working with words.  I also love bringing people and groups together and finding common ground.  Contract writing and negotiations require both of these things.  Contracts need to have the right words, and in negotiations, we need to find common ground if we ever want to get to a negotiated contract.  I can’t always give everyone what they want.  But I like the fact that my job is to try to get everyone what want while minimizing the contractual risk to the City.

4) What is one advice or tip would you give to those seeking employment with the City?

Be flexible, but ask questions.  The City is a diverse and inclusive environment and that means everyone needs to be flexible.  That said, it is always ok to ask “Why?” to further your own understanding of how the “City that Works”….works.