Michael Held will wear a lot of hats while he is in The Dalles. The West Virginia native will act as a RARE (Resource Assistant for Rural Environments) planner for the Port of The Dalles, working to address the community’s growing concern about wetlands laws many community leaders feel are inhibiting the city’s ability to grow within its own boundaries.
While he’s here, though, Held will also be assisting efforts at Home at Last Humane Society and working as a robotics competition referee.
Held earned his undergraduate degree in social work from West Virginia University.
“I focused a lot on communi ty development, macro-level projects,” Held said. A yen to work in public administration led him to the University of Oregon’s well-recognized, interdisciplinary master’s program.
Held became involved in economic development issues and updating the city’s information infrastructure during an internship at the City of Oakridge.
“RARE was always on my radar,” Held said. “I knew a lot of people who had gone through and had really good experiences.” And RARE offered a good opportunity between college and the job market.
“I’m making a change in career, going from social work to economic development projects, so I need to build some street cred,” Held said. “RARE hopefully will do that for me.” RARE planners have been regular additions to The Dalles over the past decade and more. Four are currently working with various organizations in the area (look for future stories in The Chronicle).
Held was the port’s first choice for the RARE post here, and The Dalles was his first choice, after interviewing for economic development positions in five communities.
His top priority will be wetlands.
“I’m trying to create a solution for development in both the short-and longterm,” he said. In that role he will collaborate with other agencies to develop a plan. He will also be working on industrial lands development projects in progress at the port as needed.
The third arm of his responsibilities shifts over to a community theme and a different location:He will be working with Home at Last Humane Society to develop a strategic plan for the nonprofit organization.
“After that, I will be working with volunteer recruitment, retention and strategy,” he said.
The shelter assignment is a good fit for Held, who brought his dog to The Dalles with him, and enjoys hiking with his fourlegged best friend. Held also enjoys mountain biking and the diverse recreational environment of the gorge.
“I am really excited to be in The Dalles,” Held said. “It’s a great place to spend a year, if not longer.
It’s a place I could see myself potentially settling.
“I see The Dalles as a place where everyone is working together toward a community goal of a great place to live and work,” he added.
Held is already getting involved in the community in other capacities. He has agreed to be the head referee at the Dec. 2 Lego Robotics tournament.
Originally Published in The Dalles Chronicle P.O. Box 1910The Dalles, Oregon 97058
Phone: 541-296-2141 Fax: 541-298-1365