Oregon City Municipal Elevator Manager
Downtown Oregon City Association, United States
Job Description
Oregon City Municipal Elevator Manager
The Downtown Oregon City Association seeks a motivated self-starter to manage the operations of the historic Oregon City Municipal Elevator and to establish a visitor services program within the elevator facility. The Elevator amp; Visitor Services manager is responsible for the successful year-round seven-day a week operation of the facility. DOCA is beginning operations of the elevator on February 1, replacing the current retiring operator that has operated it for 25 years. The new manager will begin as soon as possible in January or February.
ABOUT DOWNTOWN OREGON CITY
Downtown Oregon City is the historic home of the City of Oregon City, the first incorporated city west of the Rocky Mountains. Situated at the end of the Oregon Trail, the district plays an important role in Oregon’s history. Today, Downtown is a revitalizing business district known for its burgeoning restaurant scene and an increasing array of eclectic retailers.
ABOUT THE OREGON CITY MUNICIPAL ELEVATOR
The Oregon City Municipal Elevator celebrated its 100th year of service in 2015. Originally built in 1915 and replaced in 1955, it is a National Register historic landmark. The elevator serves as an important pedestrian transportation link between downtown Oregon City and the McLoughlin neighborhood and is an important Oregon City icon. It is considered the only vertical street in North America and is one of the only elevators still operated by an attendant in Oregon. It is the fifth most highly ranked tourist destination in Clackamas County according to Trip Advisor, behind very popular Mt. Hood destinations. From the observatory at the top of the elevator, visitors are able to see a panoramic view of Willamette Falls and the Willamette River, West Linn, and Downtown Oregon City. Part of its tradition includes handing out free ride cards to visitors. The elevator facility is open to pedestrians and visitors seven days a week.
ABOUT THE VISITOR SERVICES PROGRAM
Elevator Guides have always been considered ambassadors for Oregon City. Guides ensure positive interaction with locals and visitors alike. Elevator Guides are cross-trained to be tourism ambassadors and to operate the elevator. As part of its contract with the city, the Downtown Oregon City Association will be working on enhancing its visitor services program that will increase interaction with tourists and other downtown visitors. The visitor services program includes providing relevant historical and related tourism information as a tour guide in the elevator observatory. The new manager will be pivotal in helping DOCA continue to develop this program. The manager will maintain literature about ongoing retail promotions, develop ways to market the elevator to tourists, and help us continually add to the visitor experience at the elevator.
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
Formed in 2009 as Main Street Oregon City, the Downtown Oregon City Association (DOCA) is an award-winning 501c(3) charitable non-profit organization focused on the revitalization of Oregon City’s 172-year-old downtown. DOCA is supported by a 13-member volunteer board of directors, five volunteer committees, over 150 annual volunteers, and once fully in charge of the municipal elevator, approximately 10 staff members working on a broad cross-section of projects; all designed to support a more vibrant community, preserve and restore Oregon City’s historic civic center, and enhance the economic opportunity of Oregon City’s citizens and entrepreneurs. DOCA’s programs are rooted in four key areas, promotions, marketing, and tourism, design and beautification, economic enhancement and research, and community engagement.
DOCA is most known for Oregon City’s most prominent civic events including the Oregon City Antique Fair and Vintage Market, First City Celebration, Oregon Trail Brew Fest, Cruise to Downtown Oregon City Car Show, and Oregon Trail Game 5k Downtown’s civic events have over 20,000 attendees per year. On event days, the municipal elevator can have as many as 1,000 passengers per hour. Beyond events, DOCA has been pivotal in helping downtown recruit new businesses, helping property owners to restore or reconstruct their facades, conducts economic research and advocates for programs that supports the continued growth of existing businesses and the recruitment of new qualified businesses, and conducts community-wide outreach.
Requirements
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Applicants are encouraged to learn more about the Municipal Elevator and historic Oregon City. Visit websites, talk to friends and family that are familiar with Oregon City, and if your schedule allows, visit downtown, the elevator, and the McLoughlin Promenade! Successful managers don’t need to have prior information about the elevator or Oregon City’s history but they need to be inspired by it and demonstrate a p