First Opportunity Program: Utility Lead - Oregon Convention Center

Oregonmetro; Oregon (WI); On-site; USD 55,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

Metro's Oregon facilities team seeks a dependable Utility Lead to coordinate custodial and setup work at the OCC and Portland Expo Center. You will lead Utility Workers and temporary staff, guiding operations in a fast-paced event environment.

You will develop leadership skills, promote accountability, and support safety initiatives while maintaining high standards of quality and teamwork. This role offers growth opportunities within a region-focused organization.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Two years experience in custodial/lead roles.
• Valid driver's license and ability to pass background check.
• Forklift/AWP and CPR/AED certifications preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and review setup and custodial work to standards.
• Adjust daily assignments to meet client needs when supervisors are unavailable.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to Utility Workers and temporary staff.
• Facilitate team huddles and monitor progress via radio/communications.
• Resolve day-to-day operational challenges and escalate when needed.
• Support training and onboarding to maintain consistent practices.
• Participate in safety initiatives and promote accountability.
• Perform custodial and setup duties alongside the team, leading by example.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Team coordination

Safety awareness

Organizational skills

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Forklift operator’s certification

Aerial work platform certification

CPR/AED certification

Job description

This is a First Opportunity recruitment, we are only accepting applications from residents who live within the First Opportunity Target Area (FOTA) and meet the qualifying annual household income limit. For more information please visit www.oregonmetro.gov/fota.

Hello, we’re Metro! Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow.

The Oregon Convention Center (OCC) and Portland Expo Center are seeking a dependable and motivated Utility Lead to support custodial and setup operations. In the Utility Lead role, you will serve as a lead worker, helping coordinate the work of Utility Workers and Event Custodians, providing guidance and training, promoting safety and quality standards, and supporting operational continuity when supervisors are unavailable.

Although this is not a supervisor or manager position, the role provides meaningful opportunities to demonstrate leadership potential and develop practical leadership acumen. Utility Leads strengthen their ability to communicate expectations, coordinate work assignments, guide and motivate employees, make sound operational decisions, resolve problems, and adapt priorities in a fast‑paced event environment. They also gain experience facilitating team huddles, supporting employee development, promoting accountability, and leading by example.

This position offers an excellent opportunity to develop skills in communication, team leadership, decision‑making, problem‑solving, and operational coordination that are valuable for those seeking career advancement.

If you are looking to broaden your leadership experience, take pride in supporting your team, and want to build a strong foundation for future career growth, this role offers a unique opportunity to do so while contributing to some of the region's most impactful events and community gatherings.

As the Utility Lead you will:

• Coordinate and review setup and custodial work to ensure tasks are completed safely, accurately, and to established standards.
• Adjust daily work assignments to meet operational and client needs when supervisors are unavailable.
• Provide guidance, mentorship, and support to Utility Workers, Event Custodians, and temporary staff, helping team members succeed in their roles.
• Facilitate team huddles, monitor work progress, and manage operational communications through radio and other communication systems.
• Gain hands‑on leadership experience by helping resolve day‑to‑day operational challenges and escalating issues appropriately.
• Support employee training and onboarding efforts, helping maintain consistency in workplace practices and expectations.
• Participate in safety initiatives and contribute to a culture of accountability, professionalism, and continuous improvement.
• Perform custodial and setup duties alongside team members while leading by example.
• Other duties as assigned or needed.

Attributes for success:

• A desire to develop leadership skills and grow professionally.
• The ability to positively influence and support others through collaboration, respect, and effective communication.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize work in a dynamic event environment.
• Experience working cooperatively with multiple departments and diverse teams.
• Knowledge of custodial and setup equipment and the ability to operate it safely and effectively.
• Initiative, sound judgment, and a willingness to take ownership of operational challenges while supporting team success.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

At Metro, we strive to cultivate diversity, advance equity, and practice inclusion in all of its work. This means attracting and empowering a workforce that is inclusive of a broad range of human qualities. Workplace diversity is both a moral imperative and a business strength, essential to providing quality support and services to our region. Metro’s goal is to hire, develop and retain highly skilled and talented individuals across all departments and programs who best reflect the diversity of our community.

Learn more about how Metro is advancing diversity

TO QUALIFY

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant.

Minimum qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Two years of experience in a similar position, such as custodial team lead, event setup lead, or crew supervisor
• We will consider any combination of education and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position.

Required:

• Current and valid driver’s license and be able to successfully complete driving check at time of hire.
• Be able to successfully complete a background check.

Possess or have the ability to obtain:

• Forklift operator’s certification
• Aerial work platform certification
• CPR/AED certification

Work Schedule:

The schedule for the positions is as follows:

• OCC Swing Shift Lead: Tuesday through Saturday, 4:00 PM to 12:30 AM

Work Environment:

Duties may be performed under various conditions, which may include exposure to contaminated areas, enclosed spaces, at heights, indoor and outdoor locations under inclement weather, and other adverse conditions. Physically demanding position with frequent standing and lifting of 50 pounds on a regular basis; occasionally up to 80+ pounds. Work pressure and workflow disturbances are expected. As necessary to meet workload demands, may work outside of typical schedule including evening/weekend hours and holidays as assigned.

If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply:

If I was terminated for cause during any of my employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, I understand I may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.

Like to have qualifications:

You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider some or all of the following when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position.

• Experience in a public venue or a multi‑purpose event facility.
• Leading and training a team of dynamic individuals.
• Able to work a variety of shifts to meet the needs of the business and be dependable.

SCREENING AND EVALUATION

The application packet consists of the following required documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment.

• A completed online application.
• Complete answers to all supplemental questions.

The selection process:

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• In‑depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
• Consideration of top candidates/interviews
• Testing/assessments (if applicable)
• Reference check
• Background and driving records check for finalist candidate

COMPENSATION AND REPRESENTATION

The full‑salary range for this position is step 1: $26.44 to step 7: $35.43 per hour. However, unless a candidate’s qualifications justify, based on the Oregon Pay Equity Act requirements and Metro’s internal equity review process, the appointment will likely be made between step 1: $26.44 to the equity range step 3: $29.15 per hour.

This position is eligible for overtime and is represented by AFSCME union. It is classified as a Utility Lead.

Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions. View the classification description.

Equal employment opportunity

All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made, or any other status protected by law.

Non-discrimination in hiring decisions

Metro is committed to equal employment opportunity and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local civil rights laws. Metro employment decisions – including recruitment, screening, interviewing, selection, promotion, compensation, and separation – must not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected class.

Accommodation

Metro will gladly provide a reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.

Veterans' preference

Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Metro positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans' preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

Hybrid Telework

Positions designated as “hybrid telework,” meaning you will have the option to work away from the office, although there may be times that coming into the office will be required. The designation of Hybrid Telework may be subject to change at a future time. All employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; Metro cannot support ongoing telework from other locations.

Pay equity at Metro

No matter who you are or where you work at Metro, you deserve to be paid fairly for the work you do. Every worker must get equal pay for equal work regardless of your gender, race, age, or other protected characteristics.

Metro has established processes and conducts routine pay equity reviews as part of the hiring process to ensure compliance with the 2017 Oregon Pay Equity Act.

Online applications

Metro accepts job applications online. If you need assistance or accommodation with your application, or access to a computer, please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.

Metro

Led by an elected council, this unique government gives all residents of greater Portland a voice in shaping the future and provides parks, venues, services, and tools at a regional scale. We find solutions for our area’s garbage and recycling that protect clean air and water; help plan land use and development to provide jobs and safe transportation; manage local venues that provide a connection to arts and culture and help keep the economy growing; protect 17,000 acres of parks and natural areas, and run the Oregon Zoo, to keep nature close to home.

As part of the Metro family, the Oregon Convention Center and the Portland Expo Center, help make greater Portland a great place to call home. Metro brings people together to shape the future of our area and provides parks, venues, services, and tools at a regional scale.

The Oregon Convention Center and Metro

The Oregon Convention Center is the largest convention facility in the Pacific Northwest, attracting out-of-town visitors to national conventions, tradeshows and meetings, and local people to special events. The convention center’s roughly 160 employees host more than 1 million visitors each year.

The Portland Expo Center and Metro

The Portland Expo Center is a multi-purpose exhibition facility offering meeting rooms, exhibit halls, a full-service restaurant and flexible outdoor exhibit space. The expo center’s roughly 23 employees host an average of 500,000 visitors each year.