Board of Appeals – 1 position

Responsibilities:  Assists in the administration of the City’s Zoning ordinance by reviewing decisions of the Building Inspector, approving conditional uses and granting variances.  The Board functions in a quasi-judicial capacity and members must be able to hold public hearings, make findings of fact and conclusions of law based upon applicable state and local zoning laws, and issue written decisions setting forth their findings and conclusions. 

Board of Assessment Review – 2 positions

Responsibilities:  The Board has power to grant property tax abatements pursuant to state law and to determine the tax exempt status of real and personal property. It functions in a quasi- judicial capacity and members must be able to hold public hearings, make findings of fact and conclusions of law in accordance with state law, and issue written decisions setting forth their findings and conclusions.

Qualifications: Members need the background necessary to be able to determine the value of real and personal property.  Members should be familiar with the several geographical areas of the City, e.g. the waterfront, downtown, Munjoy Hill, Deering, etc. 

Civil Service Commission – 2 positions

The Employment Subcommittee has three Commissioners and one alternate.  The Employment Subcommittee approves written examinations for police and fire Civil Service testing and other elements of the testing process such as fitness and medical and job suitability exams, participates in oral interviews with candidates, and may hold hearings on discipline cases.
Qualifications:    A resident of Portland and a person of good moral character.  Although a familiarity with employment practices and the legal process would be helpful, they are not required.  What is necessary is a desire to be involved in a critical but background role, a capacity for objective judgments, and good communication skills.
Disqualifications:    Anyone who is or has been a City employee or City Councilor or anyone who is a relative of a present member of the Police or Fire departments.

Fair Hearing Officer – 1 position

Responsibilities: Review any dissatisfaction stemming from any action concerning applicants for general assistance.  Decisions must be in accordance with applicable State Laws and City Ordinances.  The Fair Hearing Officer is required to render a written decision regarding the outcome of a hearing within five working days. In addition, serve as a hearing officer as needed for administrative hearings established by City ordinance, including for example, taxi licensing violations.  
Qualifications: Ability to conduct hearings with a five-day notice.
Ability to be fair, impartial, unbiased, and have no personal or financial interest, direct or indirect, in the hearing or its outcome. The Fair Hearing Officer is scheduled to attend hearings on an as-needed basis.

Friends of the Parks – 2 positions

This Commission serves as an advisory group to help promote parks and recreation in the City.  Meets monthly with Director of Public Services / Parks and Open Space Manager to review projects, proposals and receive citizen input to provide recommendations to the Director of Public Services and the City Council.

Harbor Commission – 1 position

Responsibilities: Reviews construction plans.  Protects the rights of harbor users.
Qualifications: Familiarity with Portland Harbor and Casco Bay and an interest in its growth.  Capacity to become familiar with issues such as vessel access rights; coastal zone management conflicts and other aspects of marine law and marine engineering.  Fair and objective reasoning skills.  Good communication skills.

Landbank – 2 positions

The Land Bank Commission is responsible for identifying and protecting open space resources within the City of Portland. The Commission seeks to preserve a balance between development and conservation of open space important for wildlife, ecological, environmental, scenic or outdoor recreational values. The Commission responsibilities include: working for the acquisition and conservation of open space within the City; recommending to the City Council on a priority basis acquisition or conservation of significant properties; and the pursuit of gifts and funds from private and public sources for the acquisition of open space as approved by the City Council. The Commission has developed an inventory of open space resources within the City. It is engaged in an ongoing effort to proactively protect properties from development through easement, deed restriction, or acquisition.

Responsibilities: Pursue funding resources for the acquisition of open space; create an inventory of
open space property in the city and make recommendations for the protection and/or acquisition of open space that is environmentally significant. Meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 5:00 P.M.

Planning Board – 3 positions

The Portland Planning Board has responsibility to recommend adoption and amendments to the comprehensive plan of the City of Portland, and to advise the City Council and Departments on implementation measures for the plan.  The Board has jurisdiction to hear, review and approve applications for development including site plans, subdivisions, street vacations, shoreland zone, and other regulations governing development as appropriate.  The Planning Board makes recommendations to the City Council on applications for zoning text and map amendments, contract rezonings, and amendments to or substantial revisions of the Zoning Ordinance.

Police Citizen Review Subcommittee – 3 positions

The PCRS has six commissioners and one alternate.  The PCRS will review the process of police investigations of citizens’ complaints, solicit public input on the police citizen complaint process, report to the City Manager on the results of their case review, and issue recommendations for improving the police investigation process, training and public confidence in the citizen complaint process. Qualifications:A resident of Portland and a person of good moral character.  Ability to be analytical and objective.  Good communication skills. Disqualifications:  Applicants will be disqualified from consideration if s/he is a present or former employee of the City or City Council, and the applicant or any member of the applicant’s immediate family is or has been: a Portland police officer, arrested by a Portland police officer, filed a complaint with the internal affairs unit alleging a civil rights violation or criminal offense, or brought suit against the Portland police department.

Portland Fish Exchange A – 2  positions

Portland Fish Exchange B – 1 position

The purpose of the Fish Exchange is to foster, encourage & assist fishing and fishing related enterprises.Operate facility on pier to maintain market for sale of fish, etc.


Additional information is available in the City Clerk’s office, on the City’s website at www.portlandmaine.gov or at 874-8677.  Deadline for submission is January 2, 2009.  Please send a resume and cover letter to Appointments Committee Chairman, c/o Linda C. Cohen, City Clerk, 389 Congress Street, Portland ME 04101 or lcc@portlandmaine.gov. Applicants will be contacted for interviews.