Sewer Lateral Permitting Program Lead

City-of-Portland,-Oregon; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 110,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Portland is hiring to lead the Sewer Lateral Connection and Repair Permit Program, overseeing a specialized permitting and inspection system for work in the public right-of-way and sewer easements. You will ensure compliance with city standards and support critical public infrastructure while delivering timely customer service.

You will supervise staff, develop procedures, and coordinate with BES, PBOT, PP&D and other bureaus, while representing the city in interagency efforts.

Qualifications

• Experience managing or administering public infrastructure, development review, or permitting programs, including applying and interpreting codes, standards, regulations, and technical requirements.
• Experience supervising or leading staff, including assigning work, setting performance expectations, providing coaching, and evaluating performance.
• Experience providing technical guidance, customer service, and problem-solving support to contractors, designers, developers, property owners, or other stakeholders involved in public-sector permitting or construction.
• Experience developing, improving, or implementing operational processes, procedures, or program performance measures.
• Experience working collaboratively with internal and external partners such as other bureaus, agencies, utilities, or regulatory bodies.

Responsibilities

• Lead staff responsible for processing, reviewing, issuing, and providing customer service for Sewer Connection and Repair Permits.
• Develop standard practices, policies, procedures, and quality assurance protocols for daily program operations.
• Establish program goals, track performance, and identify areas for process improvement.
• Collaborate with section and division leadership to integrate improvements into Citywide development review systems.
• Manage program communications, including web content, forms, notices, and fee/budget updates in coordination with PP&D Communications.
• Provide technical assistance, coordination, and project guidance to contractors, designers, developers, property owners, ratepayers, and the general public.
• Serve as a subject-matter expert interpreting City codes, standards, and administrative rules.
• Act as the initial contact for grievances and appeals, coordinating with bureau managers, directors, and public officials.
• Develop and maintain customer service protocols for the work unit.
• Recruit, hire, train, schedule, assign, and supervise technical staff.
• Oversee the public infrastructure permitting system for sewer connection and repair work in the right-of-way.
• Foster an equitable, safe, positive work environment that reflects the City’s values and supports a multicultural workforce.
• Ensure unit tasks are completed on schedule and within budget; establish performance expectations, guide professional development, and conduct performance evaluations.
• Provide leadership, conflict resolution, and disciplinary recommendations in coordination with bureau HR and management.
• Partner with BES, PBOT, PP&D, and other bureaus to maintain consistency in standards, permitting, inspection, enforcement, and communication.
• Collaborate with state and county agencies, development partners, and the public to advance environmental protection and infrastructure reliability.
• Represent BES in cross-bureau planning, development, and policy initiatives; serve as a technical resource to designers, tradespeople, elected officials, and City leadership.
• Support annual reporting related to compliance (including NPDES MS4 Permit).
• Coordinate response and assessment of deficient sewer work with City inspectors, engineers, and compliance teams.
• Serve as BES’s internal representative for initiatives related to sewer permitting functions.
• Participate in BES/PBOT/PP&D management teams to support the City’s mission, policies, strategies, and performance goals.
• Provide program status updates and make recommendations for improvements to bureau leadership.

Skills

Program management

Staff supervision

Customer service guidance

Operational process improvement

Inter-agency coordination

Education

Public-sector permitting experience

Job description

The City of Portland is hiring to lead the Sewer Lateral Connection and Repair Permit Program, overseeing a specialized permitting and inspection system for work in the public right-of-way and sewer easements. You will ensure compliance with city standards and support critical public infrastructure while delivering timely customer service.

You will supervise staff, develop procedures, and coordinate with BES, PBOT, PP&D and other bureaus, while representing the city in interagency efforts.