Large Transport
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 12
Situational Awareness; Workload; Distraction
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Separated Traffic
Human Factors; Procedure; Staffing
I was monitoring the North sector and waiting for the training team in North to give a briefing to me and my trainee. At the same time Final was being split off from North and they would be briefed at the same time. The trainer and trainee were obviously very busy and engaged with the traffic complexities while working North and Final combined. This caused an unnecessary situation when Final should have been already opened.  The trainee working North cleared [Aircraft X] for an ILS approach to RWY28L (maintain 025 until established) even though a VFR callup was going to cross [Aircraft X`s] path in the next 5 miles at 025. The trainer who was busy watching many other situations in the North sector took over and turned Aircraft X to a 250 heading; cancelling his approach clearance; and tried turning the VFR aircraft; who didn`t respond; but it was not looking good. The two aircraft passed within a mile of each other. There has been a big push at P80 to combine sectors because of staffing; meetings; lack of awareness of traffic; and it is making for an unsafe environment for the flying public.  #1 ATM [Air Traffic Manager] is new and on the fast track to bigger things. ATM has spent very little time understanding the TRACON environment and this disconnect roles down hill. The FLM's [Front Line Managers] are frustrated and not staying engaged with the traffic flows. Safety has to be our first priority and I don`t feel it is. FLM's are criticized for calling overtime or keeping sectors opened. It was only by the grace of God and 'the big sky' theory that someone didn't die today.
P80 Controller reports of an airborne conflict that was saved by the instructor. The reporter also states that the positions were combined and caused an unnecessary situation when the final position should have been open.