Multnomah County (County) is accepting applications to fill a four-year term (June 2026-2030) representing the County on the Columbia River Gorge Commission (CRGC or Gorge Commission).
The Gorge Commission administers the nearly 300,000 acres of Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, which begins just east of the Portland/Vancouver metro area and stretches more than 80 miles east to the Deschutes River in Oregon, and to just before Hwy 97 in Washington. The mission of the Gorge Commission is to “establish, implement and enforce policies and programs to enhance the scenic, natural, recreational and cultural resources of the Columbia River Gorge, and to support the economy of the area by encouraging growth to occur in existing urban areas and allowing economic development consistent with resource protection.”
The CRGC includes 13 members representing two states and six counties. Oregon and Washington Governors appoint three commissioners each, and each of the six counties in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area appoint one commissioner. The counties are Multnomah, Hood River and Wasco in Oregon and Clark, Skamania, and Klickitat in Washington. The Secretary of Agriculture appoints one non-voting Commissioner.
As a member of the Gorge Commission, you will develop and adopt land use and resource protection policies in the Management Plan for Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, administer ordinances that implement the Management Plan, serve on the Development Appeals Board for any land use decision issued by a county and challenged by another party, and advise on special projects. Commissioners are also responsible for providing strategic direction to the governance and management of the organization, providing oversight on implementation and enforcement responsibilities, ensuring the organization has sufficient resources to achieve the goals of the Management Plan, ensuring financial accountability, selecting and and supporting the Executive Director, and engaging and working with other members of the Gorge Commission, elected officials and the broad and diverse communities who live, work, and are active in the National Scenic Area.
Serving on the CRGC is a significant commitment. Multnomah County seeks a representative who is ready and able to commit time and effort to reading detailed land use materials, understanding complex land use, cultural, environmental, and economic issues, and to building resilient and productive relationships on the Gorge Commission, with the County, and Gorge communities, and is able to attend day and evening meetings.
The County seeks a representative who is familiar with the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, and who can bring a balanced and considered approach to addressing complex and contentious natural resource, cultural, land use, and economic issues. As the Multnomah County representative, you will advance and advocate for the County’s interests, while balancing the needs and issues that are present across the jurisdiction of the CRGC. Patience, an ability to work through detailed policy and regulatory materials, an understanding of land use processes, economics, and cultural and natural resources issues are core required skills and knowledge.
The Gorge Commission meets on the second Tuesday of every month at various locations throughout the Gorge. Preparation for meetings and coordination with County staff is required and necessary.
To be eligible for consideration, you must be a resident of Multnomah County.
How to Apply: Interested applicants should submit a letter and résumé. Your letter, which should not exceed two pages, needs to address why you are interested in the role, what you see as the main challenges and opportunities, and what skills you will bring to the Commission. Your résumé must include your Multnomah County home address. Applications must be submitted by email to Alexandra Howard, Land Use Planning Deputy Director at alexandra.howard@multco.us by Friday, March 13, 2026 at midnight.
Learn more about the Gorge Commission.