Engineer III - Portland Water Bureau
Job Description
About the position
Job Appointment: Full time
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday Day Shift; Alternate Schedule May Be Available. This position supervises. In April 2025 all manager and supervisor positions are expected to report to their worksites full time. This position may have occasional after-hours work required to support critical projects or address system issues. Remote workdays remain an option, to accommodate travel, or occasionally focus on major work projects.
Work Location:
- Engineering Project Planning in the Engineering Planning Group - The Portland Building, 1120 SW Fifth Avenue, Portland, OR 97205
- Facilities Capital Program in the Technical Services Group - The Portland Building, 1120 SW Fifth Avenue, Portland, OR 97205
- Maintenance Engineering in the Engineering Design Group - Interstate Building, 664 N Tillamook St, Portland, OR 97227
Benefit: Please check our benefit tab for an overview of benefit for this position
Language Pay Premium Eligible: This position may be eligible for Language Pay Differential for qualifying employees
Union Representation: Non-represented
Application Material: Please click APPLY to submit your application via the City of Portland’s online portal. You will need to respond to the supplemental questions and attach a resume and cover letter.
Some positions may require those placed on the eligible list to complete and sign a criminal history statement before being considered for employment.
Position Summary
The City of Portland is seeking to fill three Engineer III vacancies in the Portland Water Bureau (PWB). PWB provides high-quality water, customer service, and stewardship of the critical infrastructure, fiscal, and natural resources entrusted to our care. PWB enhances public health and safety and contributes to the economic viability and livability of the Portland metropolitan region. PWB is a recognized leader among water service agencies across the country.
The vacancy positions to be filled are in the following PWB work groups:
- Engineering Project Planning in the Engineering Planning Group
- Facilities Capital Program in the Technical Services Group
- Maintenance Engineering in the Engineering Design Group
The Engineer III position supervises and participates in complex engineering projects and analysis, including providing research, preparing planning documents, and developing plans with an equitable lens for a variety of water facilities. This position will perform as the engineer-of-record and/or project manager on public works design and construction projects; and plan and direct the work of professional and technical staff, consultants, and contractors.
This position requires the exercise of independent judgment and initiative in scheduling, assigning, and coordinating the work with other units and external consulting engineers or contractors. An Engineer III is expected to perform and administer complex professional engineering work requiring a substantial level of professional training and experience. The position is a first-level supervisor in a small work group and has direct involvement in the technical and operational work of the group. As such, the ideal candidate will create and promote an equitable workplace that demonstrates an environment respectful of living and working in a multicultural society.
In this role, you’ll:
- Lead complex capital projects that support Portland’s critical water infrastructure, with a focus on groundwater wells, pump stations, and distribution storage systems.
- Serve as a subject matter expert in water well hydrology, well construction, pumping systems, and tank design—providing technical guidance and oversight throughout the project lifecycle.
- Supervise and mentor a team of engineers and technicians, fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing work environment.
- Manage project scopes, schedules, and budgets, ensuring timely and cost-effective delivery of high-quality infrastructure that meets the needs of Portland’s communities.
- Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders, including bureau leadership, operations and maintenance teams, consultants, contractors, other City bureaus, and regulatory agencies.
- Support program development and process improvement by shaping policies, refining workflows, and contributing to long-term planning for the Water Bureau’s capital programs.
- Promote equity and innovation by applying inclusive practices, supporting a diverse workforce, and encouraging creative problem-solving.
- Lead sensitive or technically complex projects that require senior-level engineering expertise, strategic thinking, and strong communication skills.
- Champion the Bureau’s Strategic Plan, Vision, and Mission, helping to ensure safe, reliable, and sustainable water services for all Portlanders.
Engineers with limited water well design experience but who have extensive water storage and pumps/pump station design experience are also encouraged to apply.
About the Bureau:
The Portland Water Bureau (PWB) serves almost a million people in the Portland area, about a quarter of Oregon's population. PWB employs over 600 people providing responsive service to build and maintain a water system that enhances public health and safety and contributes to the economic vitality and livability of the Portland metropolitan region. To learn more about us visit our website https://www.portland.gov/water/about-us
Virtual Zoom Meet & Greet Opportunity
Come meet the hiring manager and the senior recruiter! We'll be talking about the position duties and responsibilities, day to day life in the role, review the announcement, discuss how to apply, and answer questions you may have about the position.
Tuesday, June 16, 2026 & 4:30 PM Time (US and Canada)
Please Register to attend the Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84273001175
*Please note: AI Notetaking apps will not be allowed into virtual sessions hosted by the Bureau of Human Resources Recruitment Team. If you need accommodations as defined by the American Disabilities Act, then please contact the Recruiter for assistance.
Have a question?
Contact Information:
Tami Larison, Senior Recruiter
Bureau of Human Resources
The following minimum qualifications are required for this position:
- Possess a certificate to practice as a registered Professional Engineer
- Ability to obtain an Oregon Professional Engineer Certificate within six months after appointment
- Knowledge and experience with managing and applying engineering theory to water systems, infrastructure, or general facilities projects,
- Knowledge and experience with contract administration and project management, including developing, monitoring, and managing project and program budgets.
- Ability and experience in planning, assigning, directing, and coordinating the work of field, professional, and technical staff.
- Knowledge and experience in preparing, reviewing, approving, and interpreting engineering plans and specifications.
- Ability and experience engaging in problem solving and communicating, both verbally and in writing, scientific and technical matters to peers and non-technical individuals.
Applicants must also possess:
- A valid state driver's license and an acceptable driving record at the time of hire
- Ability to pass a criminal history check
Although not required, you may have one or more of the following:
- Six (6) or more years of progressively responsible experience in professional engineering.
STEP 1: Apply online between June 8, 2026, to June 29, 2026
Required Application Materials:
- Résumé
- Note: Do not include your age, date of birth, or the dates you attended or graduated from school. Only provide this information if it is specifically requested to meet job requirements or to follow federal, state, or local laws or rules.
- Answer to the 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.
- Effective January 1, 2026, the State of Oregon law ORS 408.225 - 408.238 is amended to expand eligibility for Veterans’ Preference to current and former Oregon National Guard service members. If applicants are existing state or former Oregon National Guard servicemembers, they are encouraged to attach appropriate documentation to their future recruitment applications.
- 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 responses to the supplemental questions should include details describing your education, training and/or experience, and where obtained, which clearly reflects your qualifications for each of the numbered items in the "To Qualify" section of this announcement.
- Your résumé should support the details described in your responses to the supplemental questions.
- 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.
- Do not attach any additional documents. Do not attach a cover letter, it will not be reviewed.
- All applications must be submitted via the City's online application process by the closing date and time.
- E-mailed and/or faxed applications will not be accepted.
- 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 using AI to generate ideas and then tailor them to reflect your own experiences and skills.
Step 2: Minimum Qualification Evaluation: week of June 29, 2026
- An evaluation of each applicant's training and paid and unpaid experience, as demonstrated in their résumé and supplemental questions, weighted 100%.
- Your résumé and responses to the supplemental questions 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 result. Please read the City of Portland Administrative Rule 3.01 for complete information.
- Additional evaluation may be required prior to establishment of the eligible list and/or final selection.
Step 3: Establishment of Eligible List: Week of July 6, 2026
- Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on the equally ranked eligible list.
Step 4: Selection (Interview): Late July to Early August 2026
- Hiring bureau will review and select candidates for an interview
Step 5: Offer of Employment: September 2026
- Some positions will require those offered employment to complete and sign a criminal background statement before being considered for employment.
Step 6/7: Start Date: September 2026
- A start date will be determined after all conditions of employment have been met.
*Timeline is approximate and subject to change.
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