Senior Engineering Associate - Civil

City of Portland; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Portland, Bureau of Environmental Services seeks a Senior Engineering Associate – Civil to support reinvestment at treatment plants, pump stations, and miles of stormwater and wastewater infrastructure. You will lead and review planning, design, and construction management for CIP projects, collaborate with partners, and mentor staff while maintaining public service excellence.

This role emphasizes continuous improvement, equitable design solutions, and strong project management in a

Qualifications

• Experience applying civil engineering principles to public works projects.
• Experience in project management, construction management, and/or engineering analysis.
• Experience designing or reviewing civil improvements and managing construction.
• Knowledge of project planning, budgeting, scheduling, and cost control.
• Knowledge of local, state, and/or federal permitting processes.
• Ability to effectively communicate technical information, verbally and in writing.
• Engineer‑In‑Training Certification: FE exam passed at time of hire.
• Valid state driver’s license and acceptable driving record at time of hire.

Responsibilities

• Plan, design, construction, design review or permitting plan review for wastewater infrastructure projects.
• Collaborate with project partners to resolve design and construction issues with equitable solutions.
• Review design, construction, and utility plans for conformance with standards.
• Respond to constituents and property owners’ inquiries relating to CIP projects.
• Provide technical guidance, assistance, and training to staff.
• Apply advanced technical engineering knowledge to planning, design, construction, and maintenance of infrastructure.
• Manage several projects with varying priorities and deadlines.
• Perform tasks independently but under supervision of a professional engineer.

Skills

Civil engineering principles

Project management

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

Engineer‑In‑Training Certification

Job description

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

Labor Agreements

To view current labor agreements, please visit https://www.portland.gov/bhr/employee-relations/labor-relations/labor-agreements.

Application Materials

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.

Position Overview

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

• 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

Recruiter Contact

Questions?:

Terrol Johnson

Senior Recruiter

[e-mail]

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:

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

Additional Requirements

• 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.

Required Application Materials

• 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 EqualPayAct. 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 Equal Opportunity Employer