Wastewater Operations Specialist - Open Continuous

Full Job Description

Job Appointment: Full-Time
Work Schedule: Mon-Fri. 7 am to 3:30 pm
Work Location: 5001 N COLUMBIA BLVD, PORTLAND, OR 97203
Benefits: Please check our benefits tab for an overview of benefits for this position
Union Representation: Portland City Laborers 483 (PCL).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 Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) Operations & Maintenance Group (O&MG) is seeking a Wastewater Operations Specialist to join our dynamic team of highly qualified people to assist in process areas, planning and carrying out lockout/tag-out procedures, assist with producing standard operating procedures (SOP's) and procedural documents for Operations staff, and many other Operations-related activities.

This position may assist with or provide training and coordination of process area-specific work for the 44 wastewater operators within the O&MG Operations Division.

All work is carried out under general supervision with a heavy emphasis on coordination with all plant staff.

This is a journey-level position, and it is desired that the applicant will be able to demonstrate 5+ years of increasing responsibility in the field of Wastewater Treatment.

It is also desired that the applicant possess an Oregon Level III or above Wastewater Treatment System Operation certification.

The successful applicant must have the ability to quickly familiarize themselves with plant processes and act as a system expert within the Operations Division, and promote an equitable workplace that demonstrates an environment reflective of living and working in a multicultural society.

Duties and responsibilities include:

This position performs a variety of specialized technical tasks in support of Operations staff within the O&MG.

Work involves the gathering of data from shift reports collected from the treatment facilities and processing that data into a variety of regulatory and operational reports.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, performance of process control functions, NPDES spreadsheet summaries, plant operations records, periodic reports, and personnel schedules.

Wastewater Operations Specialists work on the following within the Operations Division:

• Participate in long and short-term projects
• Conduct and oversee process experiments
• Carry out product testing
• Solve complex operating issues
• Support other crafts in performing and preparing for maintenance tasks
• Assists with the collection and/or compilation of data for regulatory reporting purposes
• Researching new technologies
• Collaborate with engineering, construction services and maintenance crafts

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: www.portlandoregon.gov/bes/

Our BES 10-Year Strategic Plan can be found here: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bes/75720

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

Requirements

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

1. Knowledge of the operation of a wastewater treatment facility, including treatment technology, process control, process performance parameters, laboratory sampling and analysis, and control system logic.
2. Skill using computer software, including MS Office and wastewater treatment facility maintenance management programs.
3. Skills in oral and written communications, including report writing.
4. Ability to maintain databases and manage software with special attention to regulatory requirements.
5. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers and to work constructively as a team.

Applicants must also possess:

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

Qualifications

This is an open, continuous recruitment. Open Continuous recruitments have multiple review periods (outlined below) and can be opened for up to 3 months.

• If you apply and are notified you meet minimum qualifications/placed on the eligible list, please do not reapply. Any applications received after being placed on the eligible list will not be reviewed and will be rejected as duplicate applications.
• If you apply and are notified you do not meet qualifications and the recruitment is still open, you may reapply and update your materials.

STEP 1: Apply online between January 5, 2026, and March 5, 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 on 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 prior to 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, 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, 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.

*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

Did you know? The City of Portland has How to Apply Videos and offers How to Apply Classes once per month. If you have questions after watching the videos you are invited to contact the recruiter listed on the announcement.