Operations & Maintenance Instrument Technician - Open Continuous

The Position

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 operating and maintaining the sewer piping network and treatment system to meet NPDES Permit compliance. Within the Operations and Maintenance Group Wastewater Pumping and Treatment Maintenance Division, this critical work includes installing, maintaining, and repairing mechanical, electrical, automation, and instrumentation equipment at two large, complex wastewater treatment plants, 98 pump stations located throughout the city, as well as the combined sewer overflow system.

Instrument Technicians operate at a journeyman level to safely install, maintain, document, and repair electrical instrument systems. Cost-effective decisions regarding proper equipment installation, troubleshooting, and modifications required are common and are key elements to the success of the technician’s ability to meet project schedules and keep process areas functioning as designed. Process areas must be operational in order to meet the City's discharge permit requirements. Instrument Tech duties include performing preventive and predictive maintenance on various types of instrumentation systems to maintain reliability and meet permit requirements. To meet facility operational requirements, they install new equipment, respond to issues, troubleshoot, and repair a variety of industrial instruments and precision process control systems. In addition, they participate in a call-out duty rotation for after-hours response.Job Appointment: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Monday–Friday, 7:00-3:30. An alternate schedule may be available.

Work Location: 5001 N COLUMBIA BLVD, PORTLAND, OR 97203

Benefits: Please check our benefits tab for an overview of the benefits for this position.

Union Representation: This position is represented by the District Council of Trade Unions (DCTU) collective bargaining agreement. View the agreement at

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 cover letter.

BES encourages applications from candidates with knowledge, ability, and experience working with a broad range of individuals and communities with diverse racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds.

What you’ll get to do:

Sets up, installs, repairs, and calibrates various analytical, instrumentation, controls, and communication equipment; interprets and works from plans and/or develops sketches or designs for work, as appropriate.

Performs a variety of programming, diagnostic, analytical, and documentation work involving programmable controllers and graphical-user (human-machine) interfaces for a variety of equipment, including but not limited to programmable logic controllers (PLCs), control panels, communication panels, distributed control systems, and pneumatic/hydraulic/instrumentation panels; research information as necessary to perform duties and maintain currency.

Maintains existing process measurement and control instrumentation equipment and systems and related transmitting equipment and systems to ensure proper operation and service; performs preventive maintenance, service and repairs; inspects and tests equipment and systems; locates, reviews, reformats, converts and downloads existing control system programs; reconfigures the programs to accommodate system upgrades and other environmental changes; documents work.

Designs, upgrades, installs, connects and tests new and repaired control and monitoring systems. Creates supporting documentation, i.e. P&IDs, loop drawings per ISA Standards.

Creates new program database reports; downloads and manipulates data using standard office suite and drawing software.

Reviews designs and the work of contractors to ensure safety and compliance with specifications and standards, evaluates and assesses the safety, operability, and condition of systems; ensures that repairs and installations operate properly.

Maintains records, supplies and equipment; determines materials needed.

Works with others to ensure quality customer service. As assigned, may train, guide and lead the work of others. Is responsible for appropriate safety precautions, i.e. lockout tagout, confined space entry. May be required to provide work review when acting as a lead.

Designs, fabricates (exclusive of welding), installs and/or retrofits instrument stands, brackets, supports and panels that are intended for instruments, and related equipment.

Designs, fabricates, installs and/or retrofits piping and tubing intended for but not restricted to instrument air, sample analysis, instrument hydraulics, signal/control, stilling wells, and related instrument systems.

Performs related duties as assigned.

About the Bureau of Environmental Services

This is an exciting time to join the Bureau of Environmental Services (BES). Collectively, 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, 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 who 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:

Our BES 10-Year Strategic Plan can be found here:

Terrol Johnson

Senior Recruiter

To Qualify

Applicants should specifically address and demonstrate in their Cover Letter and Resume how their education, training, and/or experience meet each of the following minimum qualifications:

Knowledge of tools, materials, processes, and techniques of precision instruments, process control equipment, and electronics, including troubleshooting techniques.

Skill in repairing, troubleshooting, maintaining, modifying, and installing precision instruments and process control equipment; maintaining, developing, and troubleshooting networking as well as other electronic equipment, electronics, and communications devices. Although not required, please also include experience with SCADA systems.

Ability to perform layout and sketch designs for process control installations, modifications, and repairs.

Ability to communicate effectively and establish and maintain effective working relationships and work constructively as part of a team and independently.

Applicants must also possess:

A State of Oregon Limited Maintenance Electrical license within six months of the time of hire. (A higher level/broader electrical license may be substituted)

A valid state driver's license and acceptable driving record at the time of hire.

The Recruitment Process

STEP 1: Apply online between May 5, 2025, and August 4, 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 can provide 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 Supplemental Questions (click on the Questions tab to preview the questions)

Optional Application Materials:

If you would like to request Veteran's Preference, please submit your Veteran documents (ex, DD214-Member 4, VA Benefit Letter, etc.) by the closing date of the recruitment.

Application Tips:

Your cover letter can exceed one page but no more than three to ensure you can provide detailed information for every qualification. A subject matter expert will evaluate 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.

E-mailed and/or faxed applications will not be accepted.

Do not attach any additional documents.

Please note that 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 the use of 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. BOLI: Equal pay For Workers: State of Oregon

Every worker must get equal pay for equal work regardless of gender, race, age, or other protected characteristics.

Step 2: Minimum Qualification Evaluation: Ongoing

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 would like to review and discuss your evaluation results. Please read the City of Portland Administrative Rule 3.01 for complete information.

Additional evaluation may be required prior to the establishment of the eligible list and/or final selection.

Step 3: Establishment of Eligible List: Ongoing

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

Step 4: Selection (Interview): TBD

The hiring bureau will review and select candidates to 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: TBD

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

*Timeline is approximate and subject to change*

Additional Information

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.

An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer