Instrument Technician - Open Continuous

Full Job Description

Job Appointment: Full-Time
Work Schedule: Mon-Fri. 7 am - 3:30 pm. An alternate schedule may be available.
Work Location: Building Location Address 5001 N COLUMBIA BLVD, PORTLAND, OR 97203-
Benefits: Please check our benefits tab for an overview of benefits for this position
Union Representation: DCTU-IBEW. To view labor agreements, current and future, please click here.

Application Material: Please click APPLY to submit your application via the City of Portland’s online portal. You will need to attach a resume and answer supplemental questions.

The City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) Operations & Maintenance Group (O&MG) is responsible for operating and maintaining the sewer piping network and treatment system to meet NPDES Permit compliance.

Within the Operations and Maintenance Group, Wastewater Pumping and Treatment Maintenance Division, this critical work includes installing, maintaining, and repairing mechanical, electrical, automation, and instrumentation equipment at two large, complex wastewater treatment plants, 98 pump stations located throughout the city, as well as the combined sewer overflow system.

Instrument Technicians operate at a journeyman level to safely install, maintain, document, and repair electrical instrument systems.

Cost-effective decisions regarding proper equipment installation, troubleshooting, and modifications required are common and are key elements to the success of the technician’s ability to meet project schedules and keep process areas functioning as designed.

Process areas must be operational to meet the City's discharge permit requirements.

Instrument Tech duties include performing preventive and predictive maintenance on various types of instrumentation systems to maintain reliability and meet permit requirements.

To meet facility operational requirements, they install new equipment, respond to issues, troubleshoot, and repair a variety of industrial instruments and precision process control systems.

In addition, they participate in a call-out duty rotation for after-hours response.

BES encourages applications from candidates with knowledge, ability, and experience working with a broad range of individuals and communities with diverse racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds.

The City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) is seeking an Instrument Technician to install, maintain, and repair mechanical, electrical, automation, and instrumentation equipment at two large, complex wastewater treatment plants, 98 pump stations located throughout the city, as well as the combined sewer overflow system.

What you’ll get to do:

•Sets up, installs, repairs, and calibrates various analytical, instrumentation, controls, and communication equipment; interprets and works from plans and/or develops sketches or designs for work, as appropriate.

•Performs a variety of programming, diagnostic, analytical, and documentation work involving programmable controllers and graphical-user (human-machine) interfaces for a variety of equipment, including but not limited to programmable logic controllers (PLCs), control panels, communication panels, distributed control systems, and pneumatic/hydraulic/instrumentation panels; research information as necessary to perform duties and maintain currency.

•Maintains existing process measurement and control instrumentation equipment and systems and related transmitting equipment and systems to ensure proper operation and service; performs preventive maintenance, service, and repairs; inspects and tests equipment and systems; locates, reviews, reformats, converts, and downloads existing control system programs; reconfigures the programs to accommodate system upgrades and other environmental changes; documents work.

•Designs, upgrades, installs, connects, and tests new and repaired control and monitoring systems. Creates supporting documentation, i.e., P&IDs, loop drawings per ISA Standards.

•Creates new program database reports; downloads and manipulates data using standard office suite and drawing software.

•Reviews designs and the work of contractors to ensure safety and compliance with specifications and standards, evaluates and assesses the safety, operability, and condition of systems; ensures that repairs and installations operate properly.

•Maintains records, supplies, and equipment; determines materials needed.

•Works with others to ensure quality customer service. As assigned, may train, guide, and lead the work of others. Is responsible for appropriate safety precautions, i.e., lockout tagout, confined space entry. May be required to provide a work review when acting as a lead.

•Designs, fabricates (exclusive of welding), installs, and/or retrofits instrument stands, brackets, supports, and panels that are intended for instruments and related equipment.

•Designs, fabricates, installs, and/or retrofits piping and tubing intended for but not restricted to instrument air, sample analysis, instrument hydraulics, signal/control, stilling wells, and related instrument systems.

•Performs related duties as assigned.

About the Bureau of Environmental Services

This is an exciting time to join the Bureau of Environmental Services (BES). Together, we are re-imagining the work we do to ensure it aligns with Our Values:

• We implement equity in our workplace, business practices, and service delivery.
• We value our customers and partners.
• We carefully manage our watersheds, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, and financial resources.
• We encourage leadership among our employees in our City and community.
• We support a diverse, collaborative, healthy, and engaged workforce.
• We urge respectful communication and transparency.
• We advance innovative, sustainable, and resilient solutions.

At BES, we value our customers and partners; Portlanders’ sense of connection to their waterways; conscientious stewardship of our watersheds, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, and financial resources; a diverse, collaborative, healthy, and engaged workforce; leadership among our employees and in our City and community; equity in our workplace, business practices, and service delivery; clear communication and transparency; innovative, sustainable, and resilient solutions.

BES is seeking talented individuals from diverse racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds with knowledge, ability, and experience working with a broad range of individuals and communities, and who desire to work collaboratively and creatively to broaden the variety of innovative ways to partner with and serve all Portland communities.

To learn more about the work we do at BES, click on the link: About Environmental Services | Portland.gov

Our BES 10-Year Strategic Plan can be found here: download (portland.gov)

Questions?:
Terrol Johnson
Senior Recruiter
terrol.johnson@portlandoregon.gov

Requirements

Applicants must specifically address and demonstrate in their supplemental question responses and resume how their education, training, and/or experience meet each of the following minimum qualifications:

1. Knowledge of tools, materials, processes, and techniques of precision instruments, process control equipment, and electronics, including troubleshooting techniques.

2.

Skill in repairing, troubleshooting, maintaining, modifying, and installing precision instruments and process control equipment; maintaining, developing, and troubleshooting networking as well as other electronic equipment, electronics, and communications devices.

Although not required, please also include experience with SCADA systems.

3. Ability to perform layout and sketch designs for process control installations, modifications, and repairs.

4. Ability to communicate effectively and establish and maintain effective working relationships and work constructively as part of a team and independently.

Applicants must also possess:

•A State of Oregon Limited Maintenance Electrical license within six months of the time of hire. (A higher-level/broader electrical license may be substituted)

•A valid state driver's license and acceptable driving record at the time of hire.

Qualifications

STEP 1: Apply online between March 2, 2026, and June 1, 2026

Required Application Materials:

• Resume
• Answers to Supplemental Questions

Optional Application Materials:

• Veteran’s Preference documents (e.g., DD214-Member 4, VA Benefit Letter) must be submitted by the closing date.
• Update: As of March 3, 2025, if you have already submitted veteran documents and qualified for preference, you do not need to resubmit them for future recruitments.
• To update or remove veteran preference for this recruitment or from your profile, contact the recruiter listed in the job announcement.

Application Tips:

• Your answers to the Supplemental Questions should include details describing your education, training, and/or experience, and where obtained, which clearly reflect your qualifications for each of the numbered items in the "To Qualify" section of this announcement.
• Your résumé should support the details described in your answers to the supplemental questions..

Salary Range/Equity Pay Analysis: Please note per the Oregon State Pay Equity Law, your salary is determined based on the experience and education listed in your resume/application.

It is strongly encouraged to include any transferable experience (paid or unpaid, regardless of how recent) to ensure your offer is reflective of all directly related and equivalent experience.

• Do not attach any additional documents.
• Please note that all completed applications for this position must be submitted no later than the closing date and time of this recruitment.

Step 2: Minimum Qualification Evaluation: Ongoing

• An evaluation of each applicant's training, paid and unpaid experience, as demonstrated in their answers to supplemental questions and resume, weighted 100%.
• Your answers to the supplemental questions and résumé will be the basis for our evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Incomplete or inappropriate information may result in disqualification.
• You have 14 days from the notice of the minimum qualification evaluation results to let us know if you would like to review and discuss your evaluation results. Please read the City of Portland Administrative Rule 3.01for complete information.
• Additional evaluation may be required before establishment of the eligible list and/or final selection.

Step 3: Establishment of Eligible List: Ongoing

• Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on the equally ranked eligible list.
• Please note that the selection process may take up to 90 days from the notification of being placed on the eligible list.

Step 4: Selection (Interview): TBD

• Hiring bureau will review and select candidates for an interview.
• Please note that the selection process may take up to 90 days from the notification of being placed on the eligible list.

Step 5: Offer of Employment: TBD

Step 6: Start Date:

• A start date will be determined after all conditions of employment have been met.