This position provides strategic leadership, supervision, and direction for the teams responsible for the Public Works Permitting function, including both engineering and administrative staff. It is accountable for achieving program goals and priorities, preparing and managing budgets, overseeing employee performance, and ensuring appropriate staffing levels to meet service expectations for two key stakeholder groups: the development community (external customers) and Portland’s Public Works bureaus (internal clients).

The role is also responsible for developing and implementing policies and procedures to support effective program execution. It requires resolving high-priority conflicts and customer service issues while fostering collaboration with other program supervisors and division managers to shape PP&D policies and procedures. The position promotes the equitable delivery of services, supports a positive and inclusive workplace culture, and manages delegated engineering authorities from Public Works to PP&D, including associated technical decision-making responsibilities.

What you’ll get to do:

• Provide strategic oversight of the City’s Public Works Permitting program, including the development of budget and fee structures, developing and tracking workplans, and coordinating with adjacent City permitting processes, City Public Works bureaus, and partner agencies.
• Oversee engineering review staff workload, provides guidance on technical issues including participation in the Public Works Alternative Review Committee, and manages staff performance through supervision, training, and delegated assignments
• Serve as the primary engineering signatory for delegated approvals from Public Works bureaus, including consultant-designed plans, design exceptions within defined thresholds, final plats and key documents such as permits, MOUs, and IGAs.
• Direct the development of policies and procedures for implementing regulations, including permit requirements, review and inspection processes, and construction standards, while collaborating across programs and advising leadership on broader PP&D and citywide policy considerations.
• Serve as the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) technical advisor (TA) for all development right-of-way design.
• Develop and refine fee structures for public works permits, in collaboration with other City Public Works bureaus.
• Track and analyze Public Works permitting data for budget, performance and staffing purposes.

About the Bureau:
Portland Permitting & Development (PP&D) manages building permits, land use, inspections, code enforcement, and public works permits to ensure our built environment is safe and accessible. Our mission is to promote safety, livability and economic vitality through efficient and collaborative application of building and development codes. Portland Permitting & Development is committed to the elimination of racism and discriminatory practices in our services and in our workplace because we understand the positive value of equitable systems.

Equity: Conditions that allow everyone to flourish so that race, gender, ability and/or other held identities do not determine access or outcomes.

To learn more about the Portland Permitting and Development equity commitment, please visit our website: https://www.portland.gov/ppd/about-portland-permitting-development

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.

When: Jul 8, 2025, 12:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/J3R-bGR1QNm1S1kcquSYxg

*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.

1. Experience providing strategic leadership and program management of complex technical or regulatory programs, including budget development, setting performance metrics, and supervision of a multidisciplinary team.
2. Knowledge of civil engineering principles, public infrastructure design and construction, and the ability to provide professional engineering guidance, technical review, and sign-off authority for public works projects.
3. Ability to implement process improvements within a complex organization, including developing and applying polices and procedures to enhance service delivery (to internal or external customers), operational efficiency, stakeholder engagement, and cross-functional collaboration.
4. Experience applying principles of equity and inclusion to public service delivery, workforce supervision, and policy implementation, with a demonstrated commitment to fostering a respectful and inclusive workplace.
5. Knowledge of applicable local, state, and federal regulations related to public infrastructure, permitting, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), particularly as it relates to development and design.

Applicants must also have:

• A license to practice as a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Oregon.
• Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited college or university in engineering or equivalent
• A valid state driver's license with an acceptable driving record, as they will be required to operate a City vehicle

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Answer to three (3) Supplemental Questions (click on the Questions tab to preview the questions)

• Veteran documents to request for Veteran Preference (ex, DD214-Member 4, VA Benefit Letter, etc.)

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.

• Your cover letter 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 resume 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 materials not requested.
• All completed applications for this position must be submitted no later than on the closing date and time of this recruitment.
• All applications must be submitted via the City's online application process. 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; instead, use AI to generate ideas and then tailor them to reflect your own experiences and skills.

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

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

• Hiring bureau will review and select candidates to interview.

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

Click here for additional information regarding the following:

• Veteran Preference
• ADA, Pregnancy, and Religious Accommodations
• Work Status
• Equal Employment Opportunity