Inspection Supervisor (Supervisor II)

Job Appointment: Full-Time
Work Schedule: Monday–Friday, 7 am-3:00 pm. 
Work location: 810 N Graham St, Portland, OR 97227, USA
Benefits: Please check our benefit tab for an overview of benefits for this position.

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 a cover letter.

The Supervisor II will be supervising a staff that are enforcing regulations and codes relating to public works construction projects and municipal specifications and contracts, ensuring quality of construction, monitoring safety on project sites for Capital Improvement (CIP), Local Improvement District (LID), Fixing Our Streets (FOS) and Permit projects. Specific public works projects may include roads, bridges, culverts, light rail, retaining walls, ADA ramps, traffic and pedestrian signals, installation of permanent signs and striping, utility installations, and complete street building which includes all concrete and paving installations or other transportation infrastructure projects.

What you’ll get to do: 

• Provide lead direction, mentoring, training, problem-solving, work assignments for inspectors and senior inspectors. ? Provide leadership focused on creating a workplace culture that is supportive of the City of Portland’s Core Values of anti-racism, communication, collaboration, equity, transparency, and fiscal responsibility. 
• Plan, organize, manage, and optimize the work of staff engaged in the development, implementation, and administration of maintenance and repair programs. 
• Develop divisional performance measures, using data to monitor outcomes and report on productivity goals; Apply continuous improvement principles to grow the Division and ensure the quality, effectiveness, durability and proper timing of maintenance and repairs. 
• Establish standards and best practices and use them in monitoring program performance against program goals and objectives to ensure consistent quality and progressive results. 
• Develop annual work plans, determine, and prioritize work, assign appropriate resources, and manage the budget of this and other related programs as deemed necessary by the Division Manager. 
• Innovate and collaborate with team members and partners to achieve the best outcomes for the City. 
• Oversee procurement of equipment, parts, and supplies to support operational objectives. 
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders in a dynamic, team-based environment. 
• Sustain a culture of safety, organizational excellence, stewardship, and professionalism. 
• Apply continuous improvement principles in standard daily work and long-range planning.

Who you are:
 

• Experienced Supervisor: An experienced leader with a commitment to your position as well as your team/employees. Being an ethical, fair, and supportive leader is important to you along with embracing the City of Portland's Core Values of anti-racism, communication, collaboration, equity, transparency, and fiscal responsibility. 
• Mentor: You have experience mentoring and coaching. You clearly assign responsibility for tasks and decisions, set clear objectives and measures, monitor process, progress, and results, and designs feedback loops into work. 
• Excellent Communicator: You are a strong communicator to both technical and non-technical individuals, and proficient verbally and in writing. 
• Innovative: You have an aptitude for continuous improvement and can excel in change management. You’ve demonstrated the ability to remain flexible, agile, and calm in a high paced environment that relies on quick and stable decision making. 
• Problem Solver: You can identify problems early and value collaboration. You utilize active listening and effective communication and facilitation skills in working with others to find resolutions. 
• Project Manager: You have knowledge of project management principles and can support, lead, and review various operational projects that support the Group Director’s and bureau initiatives. These projects may vary greatly in scope but are centered on public improvements. 
• Authentic: Effective in a professional, diverse, multi-cultural environment. You treat customers, coworkers and employees with respect and are accountable. 
• Results Driven: This position is high paced, dynamic and requires a candidate who can take charge, bring focus, and finish tasks in a timely, accurate and professional manner. 
• Dedicated: Have a passion for public service and hold a high level of pride in making sure that projects, tasks, and emergencies are effectively and efficiently completed. 
• Organized: Able to work on a multitude of tasks and understand/respond to various situations in a fastpaced, dynamic work environment. Uses time effectively and efficiently, concentrates efforts on the more important priorities. 
• Customer Focused: dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; gets first-hand customer information and uses it for improvements in services; acts with customers in mind; establishes and maintains effective relationships with customers and gains their trust and respect. 
• 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 have: one or more of the desirable skills/ certifications/degrees: 

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in engineering, public administration, or a field related to the organizational unit, or professional certification in a field related to the unit. 
• Experience working for a public agency. 
• Five (5) years of performing work like that of subordinate staff
  

About the bureau: 

The Portland Bureau of Transportation is a community partner in shaping a livable city. We plan, build, manage, and maintain an effective and safe transportation system that provides people and businesses access and mobility. We keep Portland moving. For more information about the Portland Bureau of Transportation, please visit https://www.portland.gov/transportation 

The Portland Bureau of Transportation embraces diversity, models inclusivity, and promotes equity through its service delivery, internal operations, organizational culture, and in its work with partners and the community. 

About the division: 

The Engineering Services Group – Construction Inspection Services is responsible for the inspection and delivery of all the projects PBOT builds and permits. This group makes sure projects are built per contract plans, Special Provisions and Standard Specifications. The group also enforces City Code and Administrative Rules related to the right-of-way and ensures that the public right-of-way remains safe for the travelling public by enforcing proper restoration standards and implementation of traffic control plans. 

To perform this work, it is required for the inspectors to have knowledge of electrical, mechanical, structural, and civil construction. It is also required for the inspectors to maintain several inspection certifications from Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) to meet inspection requirements for projects with federal funding.

Questions?:
Terrol Johnson
Senior Recruiter
[email protected]
Applicants should specifically address and demonstrate in their cover letter and résumé how their education, training, and/or experience meet each of the following minimum qualifications:


1. Experience providing customer service and dealing tactfully and effectively with the public.
2. Experience monitoring progress on inspection efforts of complex public works projects including the oversight of documentation related to work performed.
3. Experience engaging in problem solving and team building and relating positively to individual citizens, community groups, law enforcement and staff of other agencies.
4. Experience establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with a diverse workforce and community.
5. Experience interacting effectively, problem-solving and partnering with internal and external stakeholders such as: project teams, contractors, engineering and field personnel, citizens, and community groups.

Applicant must also possess:

• A valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record
  

STEP 1: Apply online between October 5, 2026, and October 19, 2026
 

• Cover letter.
  • Details are key! The city uses a merit-based system, so your cover letter should be thorough and specifically address each qualification listed in the "To Qualify" section of the job announcement. Your cover letter can exceed one page to ensure you can provide detailed information for every qualification. Follow the instructions, as a subject matter expert will be evaluating your details to confirm that you meet the minimum requirements.
• Resume
• Answer to Supplemental Questions (click on the Questions tab to preview the 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 cover letter can exceed one page but no more than three, to ensure you can provide detailed information for every qualification. A subject matter expert will evaluate your details to confirm that you meet the minimum requirements.
• Your résumé should support the details described in your cover letter.
• How We Determine Pay: The City of Portland is covered by the Oregon Equal Pay Act. Your salary is determined based on the experience listed in your resume that is directly related and equivalent to the position for which you are applying.  It is strongly encouraged to include any transferable experience (paid or unpaid, regardless of how recent) to ensure your offer is reflective of all your relevant experience.
• E-mailed and/or faxed applications will not be accepted.
• 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.
• 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 the use of AI to generate ideas and then tailor them to reflect your own experiences and skills.
• All applications must be submitted via the City's online application process. 

BOLI: Equal Pay for Workers: State of Oregon
Every worker must get equal pay for equal work regardless of gender, race, age, or other protected characteristics.

• An evaluation of each applicant's training and paid and unpaid experience, as demonstrated in their resume and cover letter, is weighted 100%.
• Your resume and cover letter 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 3.01 for complete information.
• Additional evaluation may be required before the establishment of the eligible list and/or final selection.

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

• The hiring bureau will review and select candidates to interview.

• 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.