Using policy provided by the Mayor/City Council,
the Recorder/Administrator oversees all daily operations and functions of the
City of Joseph, including establishing and maintaining operation of all
components of city operations. This includes but is not limited to budget
creation and administration, finance management, staff performance, city
service quality and responsiveness to meet the needs of the citizens of Joseph
while improving customer service satisfaction, operational efficiency, revenue
enhancement and cost reduction.
Joseph, Oregon, is a beautiful, rural hamlet of
a little over 1,100 residents, and it truly has something for everyone. It is
in the northeast corner of Oregon at the foot of the Wallowa Mountain Range and
a mile from the foot of Wallowa Lake. It is a growing community surrounded by a
mix of farms, ranches, and mountains, where neighbors look out for each other
and visitors wish they could stay.
Residents enjoy plenty of outdoor activities, from heading to the
wilderness to hike, camp, hunt, and ski to staying near the lake or river to
fish, swim, boat, and relax. There are also unique draws, such as riding a rail
bike on the old railroad tracks, paragliding off Mount Howard, and rafting down
the river. Just because Joseph is rural, though, doesn’t mean outdoor sports
are the only things to do. Downtown is thriving with locally-owned restaurants
and stores, many of which also offer arts and crafts classes.
It’s no surprise, then, that Joseph is also a destination for
artists. There are classes and exhibits at the Josephy Center, which also hosts
an annual arts festival; numerous boutique galleries full of local and
nationally acclaimed artists; and our famous bronze statues that line Main
Street. Summer also offers many retreats, such as a weeklong writers’ gathering
at the lake. When it’s time to take in big city entertainments, Walla Walla is
only two hours away, Boise four hours, and Portland five and a half.
Not surprisingly, Joseph has robust tourist activity, particularly
in the summer when there are festivals, rodeos, and other events that draw both
local and visitor participation. Visitors can stop by local museums, take
bronze foundry tours, and have a picnic at the park.
Education is also important, and Joseph Charter School is a K-12
school with a high graduation rate, small class sizes, and electives ranging
from band to aviation. There are also many school-sponsored sports, such as
football, volleyball, and basketball, and county-wide sports, such as baseball
and softball, in addition to extracurriculars such as FFA and FCCLA. The Joseph
City Library is also undergoing an expansion project to increase services and
activities.
Joseph City residents are proud of where they live, and it shows
in the many opportunities and events that happen only through the support of
volunteers.