The Position
Job Appointment: Full-Time
Work Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8 am-5:00 pm.
Work location: 1 120 SW 5TH AVE, PORTLAND OR 97204
Benefits: Please check our benefit tab for an overview of benefits for this position.
Union Representation: City of Portland Professional Workers (CPPW)
To view current labor agreements, please visit https://www.portland.gov/bhr/employee-relations/labor-relations/labor-agreements .
About
Are you passionate about making government work better for people and the environment? Do you have experience writing, or implementing government regulations and standards? Join the team at BES that leads updates to the City’s stormwater and sanitary regulations and codes. Members of the team work with a wide range of stakeholders from across the bureau and city to write updates to codes, rules and regulations. The kinds of questions you will get to work on include:
- How can we pilot and implement innovative policies and design standards to improve the performance, cost-effectiveness, and maintenance needs of the public storm system?
- How can we balance the need to simplify City development requirements to facilitate construction of housing without compromising the City’s obligation to protect, regulate, and operate and maintain the public sewer system?
- What language revisions in code and administrative rule improve clarity and efficiency for city regulators and the public?
The City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) is seeking a Code, Rule and Standards Analyst.
The BES Code, Rule and Standards Analyst works on a team of analysts and engineers to update the regulations the Bureau implements. BES regulations include development and engineering standards, methods for applying rates and charges, and environmental regulations. Collectively, these regulations protect public health and the environment, set standards for construction of public sewer and stormwater systems, and support revenue structures. Specific regulations that are the responsibility of this team include code chapters 17.32 through 17.39, administrative rules ENB-4.01 through 4.36, the Stormwater Management Manual, Sewer and Drainage Facilities Design Manual and the Source Control Manual.
An ideal candidate will have a keen interest in public policy and government regulations. This position will ensure City codes, rules, and technical standards align with industry best practices, regulatory requirements, system needs, and practical implementation. Experience in environmental regulations, water quality standards, the built environment, stormwater management, or technical and engineering design standards is preferred but not required. Responsibilities include collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders (internal teams like engineering, operations, and permitting and development, as well as external stakeholders including customers, the community, elected officials, and other agencies) to review policies, identify areas for improvement, and draft updated code and rule language. This involves building consensus around recommended changes and understanding the needs and impacts of those changes.
What You’ll Get To Do
- Understand how the City’s regulatory requirements and technical standards help meet environmental regulatory requirements, our system needs, and protect public health, safety and the environment.
- Collaborate with co-workers across the city to identify technical, policy, and process improvements that will make requirements and technical standards work better for the bureau and the public. For example, changes in a technical standard can improve long term operations and maintenance, or simplifying regulations can improve efficiencies.
- Lead code, rule, and design standard revision projects with internal and external stakeholders and subject matter experts. Draft and recommend improvements, updates, and revisions to ensure policy alignment with goals and clarity for the public.
- Work with engineering, construction and operations and maintenance teams to review technical design standards, and typical details that apply to improvements in the right-of-way.
- Manage final draft development and approval by Bureau managers and director, draft ordinances, and manage the City Council approval process when required.
- Work collaboratively with City managers and staff to help ensure that customers and members of the community, especially communities and customers who are Black, Indigenous, People of Color and persons with disabilities, are engaged in the development and outcomes of code, policy and rule changes and projects.
An ideal candidate will demonstrate through direct or transferrable experience
- Strong Communicator: You possess strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly and concisely explain complex codes, policies, rules, and processes to diverse audiences.
- Collaborative: You value partnerships and can build strong working relationships with people from diverse backgrounds. You are comfortable leading or participating in group settings.
- Solutions Oriented: You use strong analytical, planning and organizational skills to research and collaborate with a variety of internal and external stakeholders on developing, implementing, and updating projects you are leading.
- Knowledge of History: You understand and acknowledge institutional and structural racism and biases and their impacts on underserved and underrepresented communities and the City of Portland’s history.
- Curious Self-Starter: You are a motivated self-starter who thrives in both independent and collaborative work environments. You are eager to learn the foundations, drivers, and goals of policies and technical standards, researching industry best practices and engaging subject matter experts to identify improvements.
- Organized: You value efficient processes, transparency, and clearly documented standards. You use systems to keep your own work on track and also enjoy establishing tools for teams to use to ensure progress and compliance.
About The Bureau Of Environmental Services
This is an exciting time to join the Bureau of Environmental Services (BES). Together we are re-imagining 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: About Environmental Services | Portland.gov
Our BES 10-Year Strategic Plan can be found here: download (portland.gov)
To Qualify
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:
- Ability to write, analyze, interpret and apply laws, regulations, ordinances, code, administrative rules, and design standards.
- Ability to facilitate collaborative conversations with a diverse group of subject matter experts and stakeholders to analyze and identify complex technical, policy and administrative issues; evaluate alternatives; provide sound, logical, fact-based conclusions and recommendations.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, present information, proposals, and recommendations clearly and persuasively in writing and public settings; communicate complex topics to non-technical audiences and across cultures.
- Ability to exercise independent judgment, problem-solve, and take initiative within established procedures and guidelines.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with managers and staff, representatives of other governmental agencies, the public, and others encountered in the course of work.
Additional Requirements
- Education/Training: Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university in environmental science or policy, public policy, engineering, urban planning, public administration, or a related field; AND Experience: Four (4) years of professional and responsible experience performing analytical, regulatory or related work in or for a public agency.
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in environmental science or policy, public policy, engineering, urban planning, public administration, or a related field.
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
An Equal Opportunity Employer