Industrial Painter

Job Appointment: Full time, Regular.
Work Schedule: Monday – Thursday, 6:00-4:30pm, 4/10 schedule.
Work Location: In-person.  This position will report to Water Bureau Operations Building, 2010 North Interstate Ave, 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: This classification is represented by AFSCME 189.   To view this labor agreement, please go to https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bhr/27840 and click on the appropriate link.
  
Application Material: Please click APPLY to submit your application via the City of Portland’s online portal. You will need to attach a resume and answer the supplemental questions.

Currently, the Portland Water Bureau has one vacancy. However, applicants may also be considered for future vacancies within the following Public Works service areas should additional positions become available: Water and Environmental Services.

Position Summary

The Industrial Painter performs a wide range of skilled painting and related trades work. At the journey level, this role applies products used across industrial, automotive, commercial, and residential settings and works on large industrial structures using an expanded range of materials, methods, and surface-treatment techniques. This position may also perform additional specialized processes that require advanced skill and strict adherence to safety standards.

The Industrial Painter is responsible for performing a variety of skills:

• Painting and allied trades including surface preparation
• Mixing matching, tinting, coatings, stains, patching, plastering, paper hanging, signs, sandblasting, pressure washing and abatement of hazardous materials
• Cleaning tanks and reservoirs
• Applying a variety of products in all fields of the paint industry including large industrial structures, automotive, commercial and residential using a wider variety of materials and techniques, including chlorine and de-chlorination products.

About the Water Bureau: 
The Portland Water Bureau 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 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 working at Water visit our website: https://www.portland.gov/water/about-us/work-water

The City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) Operations & Maintenance Group (O&MG) A core aspect of the Bureau of Environmental Services’ work is in operating and maintaining facilities. This position will be performing work in a shop or field environment at two large, complex wastewater treatment plants, 98 pump stations and several associated ancillary facilities. This includes 125 acres of property at the Columbia Boulevard Wastewater Treatment Plant (CBWTP); 10 acres of property at Tryon Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant; along with over 200 different structures, 75 of which are located at the two treatment plants. They range in size from 50 square feet to 60,000 square feet.

Have a question?
Contact Information:
Loan Tran Polanco, Senior Recruiter
Bureau of Human Resources
[email protected]

1. Knowledge and experience using tools, materials. processes and techniques of painting and surface preparation.
2. Knowledge and experience chlorinating and disinfecting of tanks and reservoirs.
3. Skill and experience painting, surface preparation, minor finishing and repair of surfaces, and handling and clean-up of related materials and equipment. 
4. Ability and experience working at heights and in confined spaces.
5. Ability and experience lifting up to 75lbs. repetitively.
6. Ability and experience working outdoors and on uneven terrain.

• A valid state driver's license and acceptable driving record.
• Ability to pass the a Prehire Evaluation that may require a medical exam, screenings and physical capacities test (PCT) after an offer of employment has been made and accepted.
  • Ability to pass a  respiratory protection physical assessment and fit-test.

STEP 1: Apply online between June 15, 2026 – July 06, 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 July 06, 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 13, 2026

• Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on the equally ranked eligible list. 

Step 4: Selection (Interview): Late July 2026

• Hiring bureau will review and select candidates for an interview

Step 5: Offer of Employment: Early August 2026

• Some positions will require those offered employment to complete and sign a criminal background statement before being considered for employment. 

Step 6: Pre-Employment Exam – Preplacement Physical Examination: To Be Determined

• As part of the conditional job offer, candidates must complete a Prehire Evaluation during the hiring process/probationary period. The Prehire Evaluation may consist of a medical exam, screenings, and a physical capacities test (PCT) required for work clearance and safety compliance. The PCT measures physical ability through job-related tasks such as lifting, carrying, climbing, shoveling, and repetitive movements. Unless already employed in a City position requiring a similar or more demanding PCT, candidates must pass all required tasks to proceed with employment. For more information visit the Prehire Evaluation page. 

Step 7: Start Date: TBD

• A start date will be determined after all conditions of employment have been met.

*Timeline is approximate and subject to change.