***This recruitment is now open until filled, closing on June 16, 2025.***


About the position

Job Appointment: Full time
Work Schedule: Flexible. 40 hours per week
Work Location: 1120 SW Fifth Avenue, Portland, OR 97201. This is a manager/supervisor position. All manager and supervisor positions will be expected to report to their worksites full time. Alternate schedules may be available, but the typical work schedule is Monday through Friday, with 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. Any remote work must be performed within Oregon or Washington. For more information, click here.
Benefit: Please check our benefit tab for an overview of benefit for this position
Language Pay Premium Eligible: This position is or may be eligible for Language Pay Differential for qualifying employees (Include this for classifications identified as eligible or if bureau requests languages)
Union Representation: None

Application Material: Please click APPLY to submit your application via the City of Portland’s online portal. You will need to attach a cover letter and resume.

Position Summary

The Portland Water Bureau is seeking an Engineering Manager for its Construction Management and Inspection Section to join the leadership of the Engineering Services Group (ESG).

The Team

The Engineering Manager position is a key position in the Water Bureau’s Engineering Services Group; leading one of five sections; Planning, Design, Construction Management, Technical Services or Special Projects. The leadership team in the ESG is a critical component for successful delivery of the Water Bureau’s annual capital improvement plan that is currently about $500 million, supporting projects for critical Water Bureau programs such as distribution mains, pump stations and tanks, reservoirs, and large supply mains. In addition, the ESG highly values its customers, both internal groups at the WB and external customers, and works to understand, collaborate, and build bridges with those we support. Each section has roughly 20 to 40 employees of both technical and non-technical staff.

The Position

The current opening is in the Construction Management and Inspection Section; however, the Engineering Manager position is one of leadership and staff may be rotated to represent any of the five sections.

The Engineering Manager in the ESG is responsible for the planning, organization, integration, and direction of all activities within one of the five sections of the ESG. The position has direct responsibility for the section including personnel management and team culture, budget estimating and control, program implementation, staff resource allocation, work evaluation, and implementation of strategies to achieve ESG and the Water Bureau’s mission, goals, and performance measures. The Engineering Manager position may also directly manage large water infrastructure projects that require higher technical, communication and political awareness. This position also assists the Chief Engineer in setting policy, guidance, and direction within the ESG. In addition, this position participates in and may chair various professional and project committees; represent ESG on a variety of bureau-wide and city-wide programs, fill in for the Chief Engineer, and serve a designated role as an emergency responder.

The Engineering Manager position will have the opportunity to lead Engineering staff in developing and ensuring a workplace that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive; an environment where all staff are welcomed and can be their authentic selves. The Engineering Manager will continue to develop, support, grow equity and diversity in staff, workplace environment, processes, and program goals. The position will also actively participate in supporting the Bureau’s Strategic Plan, Vision, and Mission statements. This is a permanent full-time position.

The Construction Management and Inspection position will lead and support a 34-person team of construction managers and inspectors as well as contract staff. This position will promote a culture that prioritizes safety, collaboration with other internal and external partners, and customer service for end users such as Water Bureau Operations. The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience in the following areas:

• Managing a municipal portfolio of treatment, pumping, pipeline, tunneling, utility protection, and facility projects. ESG is currently managing the following projects:
  • 135 mgd greenfield water treatment plant with large supply pipelines including microtunneling
  • Tunneled undercrossing of Willamette River
  • Slide gate replacement at Dam 1
  • Road and bridge improvements in a protected watershed
  • Phased replacement of conduits for seismic improvements
  • Distribution system improvements
  • Replacement of electrical controls in the groundwater system
  • Reconstruction of existing wells and pump replacement
  • Recoating of steel reservoirs (lead paint removal)
  • Reservoir improvements
• Identifying and managing construction risk, including expertise in construction insurance and change management
• Negotiating a variety of lump sum, cost-based, and design-build contracts
• Developing and promoting harmonious contractor relationships
• Assuring prompt payment of prime contractors and subcontractors
• Monitoring and promoting contractor performance to achieve Council directives
• Coordinating with other with other City departments, including Purchasing and City Attorney's office

What you’ll get to do:

• Lead your team by developing a vision and strategy to build a strong, equitable team focused on supporting stakeholder needs.
• Foster strong relationships with other groups in the Bureau as well as interagency and external customers through strong collaboration.
• Build a multicultural workforce, promote an equitable workplace environment, and apply equitable program practices to diverse, complex City services.
• Help shape policies, processes, and standards; help establish budgets and provide workload forecasting for number as well as types of staff needed to achieve goals.
• Supervise staff, including establishing performance expectations and goals; recruit and hire staff to meet program and project delivery goals; provide instruction for performance improvement and development; evaluate performance and complete annual performance reviews; recommend discipline as necessary.
• Proactively identify, mitigate, resolve, track design and project management issues.

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 values a diverse workforce and seeks ways to promote equity and inclusion within the organization and with the public.

Our mission: We serve excellent water every minute of every day.

Our vision: The water our community loves is safe and abundant for generations to come.

Our equity commitment: We work to uproot systemic inequities and their impacts on our employees and the people we serve. We commit to the difficult – and essential – work of transforming Water Bureau policies, practices, and culture to better serve historically and currently oppressed communities.

Our values:

Honor our responsibility. We take part in a long legacy of careful stewardship of natural resources, infrastructure, and public trust. We never forget that water is essential.
Serve our community. We know people depend on us. We are dedicated to listening, communicating, and acting with compassion.
Work well. Our strength lies in the skills, expertise, and creativity our employees bring to work every day. We work hard, we work safely, and we adapt.
Use money wisely. We work to control costs while maintaining high standards. We invest to make our water system stronger, more flexible, and better prepared for challenges ahead.

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.

View the recording from the Meet & Greet opportunity: https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/KEl5s1jNiSDasDMYb3cjbZ3X6x88RWqIoklLJPGO_K4DhM8uWiiljc9ZSkaIf9iz.VQYguJFy_QcKLMA3

*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:
Anna Morgan, Senior Recruiter
Bureau of Human Resources
Anna.Morgan@portlandoregon.gov

Applicants must describe in their cover letter and résumé how their education, training, and/or work experience, meets each of the following minimum qualifications:

1. An active license to practice as a registered Professional Engineer.
2. Thorough knowledge of engineering theory, principles, practices, materials, costs, construction techniques, current trends, regulations, standards and equipment applicable to water system design.
3. Knowledge of the principles of budget, personnel, cost control and administrative practices and policies, including developing, monitoring, managing, and reporting on budgets.
4. Experience planning, assigning, supervising and coordinating the work of field, professional and technical staff.
5. Skills in managing professional and technical staff and consultants and managing multiple projects within a program budget.
6. Ability to engage in problem solving and communicate, both written and oral communication, scientific and technical matters to peers and non-technical individuals, including policymakers and the public.
7. Experience in engineering planning, design, contract administration, program planning and project management principles and techniques.

Applicants must also possess:

• A valid state driver's license and an acceptable driving record at the time of hire.
• A Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited college or university in engineering.
• An Oregon Professional Engineer Certificate within six months after appointment.

Although not required, you may have one or more of the following skills/certifications/degree:

• A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in professional engineering.
• Experience with engineering planning, design, and construction of a variety of public works facilities
• Specialty certification in project management, design-build project management, and construction risk management

STEP 1: Apply online between May 12, 2025 - June 16, 2025

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 are able to provide the 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 four (4) Supplemental Questions (click on the Questions tab to preview the questions)
• Optional Supplemental question five (5) related to preferred qualifications.

Optional Application Materials:

• If you wish to request Veteran's Preference, please submit your veteran documents (e.g., DD214-Member 4, VA Benefit Letter) by the recruitment's closing date.

  
  

  We have recently updated our veteran preference process. Starting March 3rd, 2025, if you made the eligible list and met the eligibility to receive veteran preference, you will no longer need to submit veteran documents for future recruitments.

  
  

  If you need to update or remove your veteran preference for a specific recruitment or from your master profile, please contact the recruiter listed in the job announcement.

Application Tips:

• Your cover letter can exceed one page, to ensure you are able to provide the detailed information for every qualification. A subject matter expert will be evaluating 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 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.
• Please note, 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 use 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.
• E-mailed and/or faxed applications will not be accepted.

STEP 2: Minimum Qualification Evaluation Week June 2, 2025

• An evaluation of each applicant's training, paid and unpaid experience, as demonstrated in their cover letter, and resume, weighted 100%.
• Your cover letter 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 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 June 16, 2025

• Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on the equally ranked eligible list. (Update if a Ranked list or other type of list is used)

STEP 4: Selection (Interview): Late June 2025

• Hiring bureau will review and select candidates for at an interview
• Successful candidates will likely be selected and asked to participate in a second interview

STEP 5: Offer of Employment: Early July 2025

• Some positions will require those offered employment to complete and sign a criminal background statement before being considered for employment. (Include if requires an in-depth background investigation.)
  

STEP 6: Start Date: Mid-Late July 2025

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