Senior Engineering Associate - Civil

Job Appointment: Regular
Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 am-5:00 pm. An alternate schedule may be available.
Work Location: 5001 N COLUMBIA BLVD, PORTLAND OR 97203
Benefits: Please check our benefit tab for an overview of benefits for this position.
Union Representation: PROTEC17
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 attach a resume and a cover letter.

Are you an engineering professional looking to go to the next level or a change of scenery? Are you a results-driven individual with an interest in doing meaningful work that has a real impact on the community? Continue your engineering career as a Senior Engineering Associate with the City of Portland! Enjoy the ability to have work life balance while also being challenged to perform intermediate to complex engineering and project management work.

The City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) is seeking a Senior Engineering Associate - Civil to join their Treatment and Pump Systems division within the Engineering Services group. This position will support the City’s prioritization of reinvestment in on-going and planned work at the treatment plants and pump stations. TPSD provides engineering services for projects at the Columbia Boulevard Wastewater Treatment Plant, Tryon Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, and approximately 100 wastewater pump stations and associated force mains. Senior Engineering Associates perform intermediate to complex engineering and project management work involving applying advanced technical engineering knowledge to the solution of municipal engineering problems in the planning, design, construction management and maintenance of capital projects related to stormwater and sewage infrastructure. 

What you’ll get to do:
 

• Plan, design, construction, design review or permitting plan review for wastewater infrastructure projects ranging from valve replacements, regulators, mains, tanks, reservoirs, and pump stations. 
• Collaborate with project partners to resolve design and construction issues through innovative and equitable solutions to benefit the communities we serve. 
• Review design, construction, and utility plans for conformance with City standards, policy, and service rules 
• Respond to constituents and property owners’ inquiries relating to design and construction of CIP projects 
• Provide technical guidance, assistance, and training to professional and technical staff 
• Apply advanced technical engineering knowledge to the solution of municipal engineering problems in the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of the City's infrastructure 
• Manage several projects that may have competing deadlines and varying priorities with available support and resources. 
• Perform tasks independently but under the supervision of a professional engineer.

An ideal candidate will demonstrate through direct or transferrable experience: 

• Innovative: You have an aptitude for continuous improvement and excel in changing work environments. 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, co-workers and employees with respect and are accountable 
• 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 addressed or completed 
• Organized: Able to work on a multitude of tasks and understand/respond to various situations in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment
  

About the Bureau of Environmental Services 

This is an exciting time to join the Bureau of Environmental Services (BES). Together we are reimagining the work we do to ensure it aligns with Our Values:

• We implement equity in our workplace, business practices, and service delivery. 
• We value our customers and partners. 
• We carefully manage our watersheds, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, and financial resources. 
• We encourage leadership among our employees in our City and community. 
• We support a diverse, collaborative, healthy, and engaged workforce. 
• We urge respectful communication and transparency. 
• We advance innovative, sustainable, and resilient solutions. 

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 that 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: https://www.portland.gov/bes/about

Our BES 10-Year Strategic Plan can be found here: https://www.portland.gov/bes/documents/bes-strategic-plan-2018-2027/download

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 applying civil engineering principles and practices related to public works, industrial and/or commercial project design and construction
2. Experience in project management, construction management, and/or engineering analysis
3. Experience designing or reviewing civil improvements and managing or supporting construction including reviewing technical plans and specifications
4. Knowledge of project planning, organization principles, budgeting, scheduling, and cost control
5. Knowledge of local, state, and or federal permitting processes, how to use, interpret, and follow code requirements. 6. Ability to effectively communicate technical information both verbally and in writing

Additional Requirements Applicant must also possess:

• An Engineer-In-Training Certification: passed the State Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination at time of hire. 
• A valid state driver's license and acceptable driving record at the time of hire

STEP 1: Apply online between August 31, 2026, and September 21, 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.