Summary

This job involves installing, maintaining, and repairing electronic instruments and control systems that monitor and manage water treatment plants, pump stations, and reservoirs for the City of Portland.

A good fit would be someone with hands-on technical skills in electronics and automation who enjoys teamwork, pays close attention to details, and can solve problems in a real-world setting.

The role suits detail-oriented individuals who are adaptable and committed to improving public water services.

Key Requirements

Experience installing, maintaining, and repairing electrical and electronic instrument systems
Ability to inspect, test, calibrate, and troubleshoot instruments and control systems
Knowledge of developing and maintaining Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) systems
Skills in maintaining, developing, and troubleshooting SCADA systems and networked communications
Strong attention to detail and adherence to best practices for accuracy and quality
Collaborative mindset with effective communication and teamwork abilities
Adaptability to real-world situations and problem-solving to improve processes

Full Job Description

About the position

Job Appointment: Full time

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 6AM - 2:30 PM Training Schedule; then 10-hour shifts 4 days a week

Work Location: Water Interstate Facility, 664 N. Interstate Avenue, Portland, OR 97227

Benefit: Please check our benefit tab for an overview of benefit for this position

Language Pay Premium Eligible: This position may be eligible for Language Pay Differential for qualifying employees.

Union Representation: District Council Trade Union (DCTU); To view this labor agreement, please click here. Applicants start at the entry salary rate of $49.34 hourly.

If you are a DCTU represented employee, see labor agreement for additional information or talk to your union representative.

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

Please upload your licensure and certification if you have it.

Position Summary

The City of Portland is seeking an Instrument Technician to join our dynamic team of highly qualified and innovative technicians that work on complex and varied instruments and control systems.

Instrument Technicians install, maintain, repair and document electrical, electronic instrument systems.

These systems are used to meter, record, analyze, control and monitor water treatment plants, pump stations, reservoirs, and metering sites.

Instrument Technicians inspect and test instruments and systems, determine the cause of malfunctions, service and repair the instruments and then calibrate the system.

Work responsibilities can include developing Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) systems and maintaining and improving existing systems; and maintaining, developing and troubleshooting networked communications and SCADA systems.

As a person, you are:

Highly collaborative: You take direction well, offer thoughtful guidance, and work toward shared goals. You enjoy partnering with colleagues from diverse personal and professional backgrounds and adapt your approach to support effective teamwork.
Detail-oriented: You bring strong attention to detail and follow best practices to ensure accuracy, consistency, and high-quality work.
Equity-focused: You understand how equity connects to the work we do and consider its impact in your decisions, interactions, and problem-solving.
A problem-solver: You apply your technical understanding to real-world situations, developing practical solutions and improvements that strengthen the Bureau’s instrumentation and controls program.
Adaptable: You evaluate real-world situations using your understanding of instrumentation and controls to established processes with a critical eye and identify opportunities for improvement, whether through training, technology, or workflow changes.
An effective communicator: You communicate clearly, build productive working relationships, and contribute successfully both independently and as part of a team.

About the Water Bureau: The Portland Water Bureau (PWB) serves almost a million people in the Portland area, about a quarter of Oregon's population.

PWB employs over 600 people providing responsive service to build and maintain a water system that enhances public health and safety and contributes to the economic vitality and livability of the Portland metropolitan region.

To learn more about working at Water visit our website: https://www.portland.gov/water/about-us/work-water

Have a question?

Contact Information:

Tami Larison, Recruiter

Bureau of Human Resources

Tamara.larison@portlandoregon.gov

Requirements

Applicants must describe in their résumé how their education, training, work experience and/or lived experience meets each of the following minimum qualifications:

Knowledge of tools, materials, processes and techniques of precision instruments, process control equipment and electronics including troubleshooting techniques.
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.
Skill in mechanical and process control troubleshooting techniques; methods and techniques editing and creating PLC program logic; database principles and concepts; office suite software; application of the National Electrical Code (NEC), and Instrument Society of America (ISA) standards; safe work practices.
Ability to perform layout and sketch designs for process control installations, modifications and repairs.

Applicants must also:

Possess a State of Oregon limited Energy Class A or B Electrical license (A higher level/broader electrical license may be substituted for the limited Energy Class A or B license.)
Possess a valid state driver’s license and acceptable driving record
Possess ability to pass background check
Lift up to 50 pounds
Wear protective gear
Work with hand and power tools
Be prepared for exposure to electric currents
Climb to heights of 150 feet and work in confined spaces (underground vaults)

Although not required, you may have one or more of the following:

Experience with SCADA systems

Qualifications

STEP 1: Apply online between April 13, 2026, to May 11, 2026

Required Application Materials:

Résumé
- Note: Do not include your age, date of birth, or the dates you attended or graduated from school. Only provide this information if it is specifically requested to meet job requirements or to follow federal, state, or local laws or rules.

Answer to the Supplemental Questions (click on the Questions tab to preview the questions)

Optional Application Materials:

Attach Licensure (if you currently have the Oregon limited Energy Class A or B electrical license or higher level/broader electrical license).
Veteran’s Preference documents (e.g., DD214-Member 4, VA Benefit Letter) must be submitted by the closing date.

Effective January 1, 2026, the State of Oregon law ORS 408.225 - 408.238 is amended to expand eligibility for Veterans’ Preference to current and former Oregon National Guard service members.

If applicants are existing state or former Oregon National Guard servicemembers, they are encouraged to attach appropriate documentation to their future recruitment applications.

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 responses to the supplemental questions should include details describing your education, training and/or experience, and where obtained, which clearly reflects 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 responses to the supplemental questions.

Do not attach any additional documents. Do not attach a cover letter, it will not be reviewed.
All applications must be submitted via the City's online application process by the closing date and time.
E-mailed and/or faxed applications will not be accepted.
You can use AI tools to assist with your job application, but please make sure to personalize your responses to supplemental questions. Avoid copying and pasting. We encourage using AI to generate ideas and then tailor them to reflect your own experiences and skills.

Step 2: Minimum Qualification Evaluation: Week of May 11, 2026

An evaluation of each applicant's training and paid and unpaid experience, as demonstrated in their résumé and supplemental questions, weighted 100%.
Your résumé and responses to the supplemental questions 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 result. Please read the City of Portland Administrative Rule 3.01 for complete information.
Additional evaluation may be required prior to establishment of the eligible list and/or final selection.

Step 3: Establishment of Eligible List: Week of May 18, 2026

Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on the equally ranked eligible list

Step 4: Selection (Interview): Early June 2026

Hiring bureau will review and select candidates for an interview

Step 5: Offer of Employment: June 2026

This position will require those offered employment to complete and sign a criminal background statement before being considered for employment.

Step 6/7: Start Date: June 2026

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

*Timeline is approximate and subject to change.

Additional Information

Click here for additional information regarding the following:

City of Portland Core Values
Recruitment Process - Work Status
Equal Employment Opportunity
Veteran Preference
ADA, Pregnancy, and Religious Accommodations

✓ Fresh Listing

Instrument Technician - Water Bureau

SES Pay Grade

Job Description

Summary

Key Requirements

Full Job Description

Requirements

Qualifications

Additional Information

Browse Similar Jobs

Related Jobs

Instrument Technician - Open Continuous - Updated

MEDICAL INSTRUMENT TECHNICIAN (ULTRASOUND)

Medical Instrument Technician (EKG)

Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography)

Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography)

Legal Instruments Examiner