Code Specialist II – Right of Way Compliance

Job Appointment: Full-Time
Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 am-5 pm. An alternate schedule may be available.
Work location: 1120 SW 5TH AVE, PORTLAND OR 97204
Union Representation: AFSCME 189 -- City Wide
Benefits: Please check our benefit tab for an overview of benefits for this position.
To view current labor agreements, please visit https://www.portland.gov/bhr/employee-relations/labor-relations/labor-agreements.

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

About the position: Code Specialists for the Right of Way Compliance Program provide a wide range of tasks: from receiving and prioritizing reports from he public to going into the field to inspecting work sites and identifying violations. This position provides excellent customer service while ensuring safety and compliance with city codes and permit conditions. About the division: The Utility Management and Compliance Division ensures safe, efficient, and equitable mobility for all users of the public right-of-way by overseeing the restoration of PBOT assets, managing utility infrastructure, and enforcing compliance with permit conditions, city codes and administrative rules.

What you’ll get to do: 

• Respond to customer and public inquiries and complaints; explains and interprets codes, policies, standards, fees, and procedures to members of the public, contractors, engineers, architects and other public or utility organization employees to resolve problems, improve their understanding of City programs and to ensure adherence to procedures in complex technical matters
• Inspect, observe and monitor potential code violations in the field and apply appropriate remedies based on program procedures.
• Takes reports; attempts to secure voluntary compliance before applying applicable penalties or corrective actions
• Organizes and routes work by priority to meet specified deadlines.
• Coordinates with other bureaus and outside agencies or contractors to expedite enforcement of code.
• Maintains accurate records of inspections made and actions taken, including conversations and extensions granted; updates computer records; research information in support of enforcement action.
• Composes and maintains correspondence and records for proper evaluation and documentation of code enforcement case management; prepares cases for fee assessments and code hearings.
• Represents the City in Code Hearings and other judicial proceedings; represents the bureau at interagency meetings to provide technical and procedural information

An Ideal Candidate: will have one or more years of experience of analyzing, interpreting, and/or enforcing complex code or policies. 

Who you are:

• An excellent communicator: this position requires being able to communicate complex technical information and city codes to a wide variety of audiences, both verbally and in writing
• Thorough: recordkeeping and organization skills are vital.  Many cases can span long periods of time with multiple stages, the ability to keep detailed notes is essential
• Problem Solver: there will be many instances where you may need to utilize “outside the box” thinking to achieve results
• Independent: this position is largely performed on your own, you will be expected to prioritize and manage a caseload based on specific criteria.   You should be able to plan, route and organize your work with little direct supervision
• Organized: Able to work on a multitude of tasks and understand/respond to various situations in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment
• Relationship Builder: An outgoing professional who values building trust, partnerships, and relationships to support an inclusive culture and accomplish objectives more effectively

Although Not Required, you may:

• Be fluent in two or more languages
• Have a degree in code or law enforcement, traffic systems, or related field

Questions?:
Terrol Johnson
Senior Recruiter
[email protected]Applicants must specifically address and demonstrate in their supplemental question responses and resume how their education, training and/or experience, meets each of the following minimum qualifications:

1. Experience in clearly communicating technical or legal information in various forms (oral, written, graphic)
2. Ability to work independently in the field conducting inspections and investigations
3. Ability read and interpret complex permits and maps, as well as ability to interpret city codes and administrative rules and regulations
4. Skill in a variety of software packages including Microsoft Office programs and data storage and analytics products
5. Ability to remain calm and communicate clearly in high stress situations that may involve verbal abuse. Knowledge of conflict resolution and deescalation methods.

Applicant must also possess:  

• Class C Driver’s License and acceptable driving record at time of hire

  
  

STEP 1: Apply online between July 27, 2026, and August 10, 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: Week of August 10, 2026

• 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: Week of August 17, 2026

• 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.

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.