Senior Public Works Inspector

Job Appointment: Full-Time, Regular.
Work Schedule: Monday–Friday, 7am – 3:30pm.  An alternate schedule may be available.
Work Location: 2615A NW INDUSTRIAL ST, PORTLAND OR 97210

Union Representation: AFSCME 189 -- City Wide.
Benefits: Please check our benefits tab for an overview of the benefits for this position
Language Pay Premium Eligible: This position may be eligible for Language Pay Differential for qualifying employees

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 supplemental questions.

Are you a dynamic leader who excels at empowering others and fostering adaptability within a diverse team? You may be the Senior Public Works Inspector we are seeking!

The City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) is seeking a Senior Public Works Inspector!

About the position:

Senior Public Works Inspectors are responsible for enforcing regulations and codes relating to public works construction projects and municipal specifications and contracts, ensuring quality of construction, monitoring safety on project sites and provides final inspection on major construction projects. Specific public works projects may include utility installations, underground sewer or water pipeline construction, pumpstation and wastewater treatment plant construction, water quality facility construction, and complete street building which includes all concrete and paving installations or other transportation infrastructure projects.

What you’ll get to do: 

• Provide lead direction, assist in mentoring, training, problem-solving, work assignments for other inspectors
• Coordinate inspection tasks of great complexity, that may be demanding and operationally sensitive including extensive scheduling and coordination among project stakeholders
• Foster relationships with community-based organizations, elected officials, civic and community leaders that lead to positive engagement of the community

• Conduct final inspections and inspections tasks on major construction projects and prepare daily reports on public works projects to ensure contractor, personnel, and public safety.
• Provide reviews of project documentation including inspection documentation, As-builts, design reviews, contractor submittals and Request for Information (RFI’s)
• Work independently in noisy construction environments, under potentially hazardous conditions and possess sufficient physical mobility, vision, hearing and speaking abilities related to construction work requirements.

About the Bureau of Environmental Services

This is an exciting time to join the Bureau of Environmental Services (BES).  Together we are re-imagining 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: About Environmental Services | Portland.gov

Our BES 10-Year Strategic Plan can be found here: download (portland.gov)

Questions?:
Terrol Johnson Senior Recruiter
[email protected]

Applicants must provide details in their supplemental question responses and resume that demonstrate how their education, training and/or experience, meets each of the following minimum qualifications:

1. Knowledge of construction survey practices and how they are used in the field.
2. Experience reviewing and interpreting construction practices, methods/processes Including creating daily inspection reports and pay notes. (Although not required, experience with eBuilder is desired)

1. Experience reviewing and interpreting technical construction documents such as: construction plans, standard drawings, specifications, codes, laws, and contracts

1. Experience interacting effectively, problem-solving and partnering with internal and external stakeholders such as: project teams, contractors, engineering and field personnel, citizens, and community groups
2. Experience leading inspection personnel and/or as the lead inspector on complex public works projects
3. Experience using math calculations associated with the computation or estimation of construction progress such as area, volume, and percentages. (Although not required, experience with PDF marking and editing software such as Adobe Pro is desired)

Licenses; certificates; special requirements:

• A valid State driver’s license and acceptable driving record at the time of hire

STEP 1: Apply online between June 1, 2026, and June 15, 2026
 
Required Application Materials: 

• Resume
• Answers to Supplemental 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 answers to the Supplemental Questions should include details describing your education, training, and/or experience, and where obtained, which clearly reflect 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 answers to the supplemental questions..
• Salary Range/Equity Pay Analysis:  Please note per the Oregon State Pay Equity Law, your salary is determined based on the experience and education listed in your resume/application. It is strongly encouraged to include any transferable experience (paid or unpaid, regardless of how recent) to ensure your offer is reflective of all directly related and equivalent experience.
• Do not attach any additional documents.
• Please note that all completed applications for this position must be submitted no later than the closing date and time of this recruitment.   

Step 2: Minimum Qualification Evaluation: Week of June 15, 2026

• An evaluation of each applicant's training, paid and unpaid experience, as demonstrated in their answers to supplemental questions and resume, weighted 100%.
• Your answers to the supplemental questions and résumé 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 results. Please read the City of Portland Administrative Rule 3.01for complete information.
• Additional evaluation may be required before establishment of the eligible list and/or final selection.

Step 3: Establishment of Eligible List: Week of June 22, 2026

• Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on the equally ranked eligible list.
• Please note that the selection process may take up to 90 days from the notification of being placed on the eligible list.

Step 4: Selection (Interview): TBD

• Hiring bureau will review and select candidates for an interview.
• Please note that the selection process may take up to 90 days from the notification of being placed on the eligible list.

Step 5: Offer of Employment: TBD

Step 6: Start Date:

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

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 

Did you know? The City of Portland has How to Apply Videos and offers How to Apply Classes once per month.  If you have questions after watching the videos you are invited to contact the recruiter listed on the announcement.