Seasonal Maintenance Worker

Full Job Description

If you enjoy working outdoors, being physically active, and contributing to a clean and welcoming community, this role offers a great opportunity for skill building and career development!

The City of Portland is recruiting to fill current and future Seasonal Maintenance Worker vacancies across our Public Works Service Area.

Seasonal Maintenance Worker perform work in the following bureaus: Bureau of Environmental Services, Portland Parks & Recreation, Portland Water Bureau and Public Works Transportation.

Currently, only Portland Parks & Recreation has available vacancies.

However, candidates that apply may be considered for vacancies with the following additional Service Areas should positions become available: Public Works: Transportation, Water, and Environmental Services.

Job Appointment: Full time, Seasonal.
Work Schedule: Seasonal Maintenance Workers will collaborate with their supervisor/manager to create their schedule. These are seasonal positions and vary in hours worked up to a maximum of 1600 hours per calendar year.

Work Shifts: Schedules vary by department and may include day, swing, or overnight shifts. Day shifts generally begin between 6:00–6:30 a.m. Some departments offer alternative schedules such as 9/80 or 4/10 workweeks. You'll work with your supervisor or manager to set up your schedule. Since this is a seasonal job, your hours will change depending on the needs.

Work Location: Various locations
Union Representation: This classification is represented by the Seasonal Maintenance Worker Laborers' Local 483. To view this labor agreement, please click here.

Pay Rate/Vacation Accrual Rate: If you work multiple years, your pay goes up. If you work a swing shift from 12:00PM to 6:59PM, or an overnight shift from 7:00PM to 5:59AM, you will earn extra pay!

• First year: $19.99 per hour
• Second year: $21.67 per hour
• Third year: $23.33 per hour

How to Apply:

• Submit your work history and responses to supplemental questions by the closing date.
  • Fully describe your relevant work experience and/or any unpaid volunteer experience, making sure to explain how your experience demonstrates the qualifications listed in the "To Qualify" section above.
  • 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.

(Optional) Submit Veterans’ Preference documents, if applicable.

If this is your first time applying with the City of Portland, or if you haven’t requested veteran preference before (and would like to now), please attach your DD214-Member 4 and/or VA Benefit Letter to your application.

Once we verify your eligibility, we’ll record your veteran preference in our system so it automatically applies to your future applications.

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.

Position Summary

This entry-level, seasonal position involves learning to perform and then performing primarily unskilled or limited semi-skilled work, either manually or with small power tools.

Work may be completed independently or as part of a crew.

Tasks are performed under direct supervision, though once routines are established, oversight may shift to periodic review rather than on-site direction.

Employees help maintain a variety of public spaces and facilities, such as parks, landscaped areas, sports fields, recreational features, and essential city infrastructure.

Duties support the upkeep of clean, safe, and accessible outdoor environments for the community, including work that helps keep streets, walkways, and drainage systems functioning and supports the movement of people, goods, and stormwater throughout the city.

What You’ll Do:

General Duties:

• Performs a variety of unskilled manual labor and limited semi-skilled tasks; loads and unloads equipment, materials and supplies.
• Performs a variety of manual labor tasks
• Moves office equipment, furniture and machinery; picks up and delivers various types of equipment, materials, mail, parts and supplies; stocks, sorts, inventories and stores parts and supplies
• Assists journey level employees in performing the manual and semi-skilled tasks related to their work.
• Operates sedans, pick ups, smaller flat beds and dump trucks and other automotive equipment not requiring a Commercial Driver’s License to transport employees, materials and equipment to work sites; learns to perform and then performs pre- and post-trip safety inspection of vehicle.
• Completes forms and writes basic reports on work, time and materials used.

Portland Parks & Recreation:

• Push mowing smaller sections of lawn.
• Perform regular cleaning and maintenance tasks, including cleaning, opening, and closing of park restroom facilities.
• Assist in monitoring irrigation systems.
• Assist Horticulturists in planting, spreading mulch, pruning, and renovating planting beds.
• Using backpack leaf blower, powered string trimmer, edger and similar hand tools to maintain landscapes.
• Assist in power washing and cleaning hard surfaces.
• Pulling weeds and assisting in monitoring general plant health.
• Collect and haul green waste debris.

Public Works Transportation:

• Assist in applying and finishing asphalt, concrete, and road surface material; perform other tasks related to paving
• Assist in applying thermoplastic pavement markings and cleaning/maintaining street signs
• Assist with graffiti abatement on traffic signs, retaining walls, etc.
• Move office equipment, furniture, machinery
• Pick up and deliver various types of equipment, materials, mail, parts, and supplies
• Stock, sort, inventory, and store parts and supplies
• Assist with sewer repair and sewer cleaning activities
• Assists in setting up work zone traffic controls
• Completing forms and writing basic reports on work, time and materials used

We are looking to fill open positions in several different geographic areas and work groups. For more information about the specific Seasonal Maintenance Worker positions you can apply for with Portland Parks & Recreation, please click here or scroll to the bottom of this job announcement

Have a question? Contact:
Loan Tran Polanco, Recruiter
Bureau of Human Resources
Loan.Tran@portlandoregon.gov

Requirements

Qualifications Needed:

1. Ability to learn manual labor tasks.
2. Ability to do medium to heavy manual labor for extended periods, including standing for long periods of time, and squatting or kneeling.
3. Ability to work with co-workers and members of the public from diverse backgrounds and life experiences.
4. Ability to work effectively within a team and independently without direct continuous supervision.
5. Ability to work outside in all weather conditions.
6. Ability to learn and use safe working practices and report safety problems.

You must also:

• Be at least 18 years of age at time of hire.
• Ability to pass a Prehire Evaluation that may require a medical exam, screenings and physical capacities test (PCT), after an offer of employment has been made and accepted.
• A current, valid state driver’s license and meet the City’s “good driver” requirements. This is required for Portland Bureau of Transportation positions and may be required for some Portland Parks & Recreation positions, depending on the role.

Qualifications

What to Expect

1. Application Review - Week of February 9, 2026
   Your application materials will be reviewed to confirm that you meet the qualifications listed above.

Notification - Week of Month Day: Week of February 16, 2026 You will receive an email when the minimum qualification review is complete.

If you disagree with your evaluation results, you may request a review of your evaluation results within 14 days of the email notice, per City Administrative Rule 3.01.

2. Survey of Continued Interest - As Needed:
   As vacancies become available, you will be contacted by HR with position details and you can confirm interest in a particular opportunity.
3. Selection Process - As Needed:
   The hiring bureaus will review interested and qualified applications, conduct interviews, and check references.
4. Conditional Job Offer - TBD:
   Final candidates may undergo a background or driving record check.

Pre-Employment Exam – Preplacement Physical Examination: To Be Determined (If Applicable)As part of the conditional job offer, candidates must complete a Prehire Evaluation during the hiring process/probationary period.

The Prehire Evaluation may consist of a medical exam, screenings, and a physical capacities test (PCT) required for work clearance and safety compliance.

The PCT measures physical ability through job-related tasks such as lifting, carrying, climbing, shoveling, and repetitive movements.

Unless already employed in a City position requiring a similar or more demanding PCT, candidates must pass all required tasks to proceed with employment.

For more information visit the Prehire Evaluation page.

Additional Information

Click here for additional information regarding the following:

• Veteran Preference
• ADA, Pregnancy, and Religious Accommodations
• Work Status
• Equal Employment Opportunity

An Equal Opportunity Employer

PUBLIC WORKS: TRANSPORTATION (formerly PBOT) areas and work groups: Learn more about Portland Bureau of Transportation at: https://www.portland.gov/transportation Public Works: Transportation does not have any current job openings for Seasonal Maintenance Workers to support the Maintenance Operations Group. The Maintenance Operations Group maintains the essential infrastructure of our city, which includes the following - our streets, bridges, tunnels, greenspaces, street cleaning, sidewalks, traffic signs, and pavement markings. They keep our rivers clean by repairing the city's wastewater and stormwater lines. Our crews all have the same goal: Maintain streets, roads, and bridges that allow people, goods, and stormwater to move through our city. Maintenance workers don't just help people get around; They also help keep our rivers clean by maintaining the city's wastewater and stormwater conveyance system. The Seasonal Maintenance Worker is a member of the bureau's 24-hour response team. You may be required to work after-hour, evening, weekend, and holiday emergency response.

Keeping Our Rivers Clean With this team, SMWs will provide support with - Traffic control and flagging on various projects and locations Repairing and maintenance of stormwater and wastewater pipes Removing natural debris from small creeks and ditches Closing circuit camera operators with equipment inspecting pipes Assisting utility locators with locating underground stormwater and wastewater pipes Assisting with the maintenance of pipes, ditches, and natural drainage systems Special projects, both in-office and in the field Outdoor work may be in built urban environments, residential areas, or natural areas, such as forests. Indoor work may be in an office setting or storage area.

Traffic Signs and Markings This team maintains all city sign assets. City sign assets include the following - street name signs, stop signs, and way finding signage in right of way. This team also maintains all of the yellow and white lane markings, crosswalks, and other pavement markings. With this team, SMWs will provide support with - Traffic control and flagging on various projects and locations in the right of way Digging holes for mounting posts and brackets for signs Loading vehicles with necessary material and equipment for daily work Assisting with end-of-shift cleaning of vehicles, recycling needed metal or wood Other duties as assigned

Sidewalks Maintenance Construction This team works in residential neighborhoods and in the right of way to help provide accessibility for all roadway users. With this team, SMWs will provide support with - Setting up and taking down daily traffic control for work zones, flagging as needed Ensuring work zone is clean and clear of trip hazards during construction phase Assisting with loading daily equipment or material, such as shovels, wood forms, nails, and hammers) Assisting with preparation for corner ramp construction, including preparing area for concrete pours Cleaning up equipment and vehicles, as needed Other duties as assigned

Roadway Repairs This team performs a variety of road repair on all city streets. With this team, SMWs will provide support with - Setting up and maintaining traffic control to keep co-workers and the public safe Filling potholes and making small repairs Patching the road after a water or sewer line is repaired Large paving projects, where several blocks are paved with a new road surface, for example Clearing landslides and other natural debris, which may fall onto the roadway

Street Cleaning This teams operates several cleaning programs. The list of cleaning programs and services they provide include - street sweeping, sidewalk flushing, greenspace maintenance, traffic island maintenance, non-curbed roadway vegetation removal, bike lane sweeping, and mow and brush cutting. With this team, SMWs will provide support with - Traffic control and flagging Operating mowers and weed trimmers Hose flushing and power washing Loading equipment and materials for daily work Cleaning job site and removing traffic control Assisting with emergency response, removing hazards in the right of way

Building Facilities and Material Distribution Center This team supports internal PBOT employees and services required for Maintenance and Operations. With this team, SMWs will provide general support to the facility and the Materials Distribution Center. Typical duties may include - Assisting with landscaping, including invasive species removal General building maintenance, including office and meeting space setup, removing garbage, and sweeping floors General grounds and equipment maintenance Providing customer service at warehouse front desk Assisting with receiving materials Replenishing stock

PORTLAND PARKS & RECREATION areas and work groups: Learn more about Portland Parks & Recreation: https://www.portland.gov/parks

Aquatics/Fountains This team maintains our swimming pools and recreational fountains, including: Getting outdoor pools and fountains open for summer and closed for winter. Cleaning (removing litter, pressure-washing, etc.) pools and fountains. Testing water in pools, maintaining water chemistry, backwash filters, etc.

Athletic Fields This team keeps our athletic fields ready for play by leagues and others, including: Preparing, maintaining, and striping sports fields. Other tasks to keep fields safe and ready for use. Renovate/design fields Work at various sporting event tournaments. Work in a team environment. Learn and use different small engine equipment.

Community Gardens Fixing garden infrastructure including locks, paths, and garden beds. Supporting gardener work parties. Driving large trucks.

Golf Ground Maintenance Work at one of our five golf courses across the city. Work includes: Mowing greens, tees, fairways, and rough areas, and maintaining bunkers. Picking up trash and cleaning restrooms. Digging, raking, edging, pruning, irrigation and flower bed maintenance.

Horticulture Services This team does a variety of landscape work, including: Maintaining planters and landscapes outside city-owned buildings. String trimming, hedge shearing, hand weeding, blowing, and rough area maintenance. Loading, unloading, and watering nursery plant material and delivering them to work sites.

Developed Park Maintenance (various locations around the city) Seven maintenance teams care for 100+ developed parks throughout Portland, including: Cleaning restrooms and removing trash. Safely operating City-owned vehicles. Working independently. Operating small equipment such as edgers, trimmers, blowers. Assisting with horticultural projects such as mulching, weeding, edging lawns, watering, and working with volunteers. Maintaining positive relationships with community members.