Engineering Trainee

Engineering Trainee

Salary

$25.00 - $28.00 Hourly

Location

Portland Building, 1120 SW 5th Ave, OR

Job Type

Casual

Job Number

2026-00425

Bureau

Portland Bureau of Transportation

Opening Date

06/10/2026

Closing Date

6/29/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

The Position

The Position

Job Appointment: This is a temporary, casual position with a maximum of 1,400 hours in a calendar year. The expectation is for the Engineering Trainee to work 30-40 hours per week during the summer and 10-20 hours per week during the school year.

Work Location: Hybrid-The Portland Building 1120 SW 5th Avenue, Portland OR 97204. Remote work must be performed within Oregon or Washington. For more information, click here.

Benefits: This position is not eligible for benefits.

Application Material: Please click APPLY to submit your application via the City of Portland's online portal. You will need to respond to the supplemental questions and attach a resume.

Language Pay Differential: City of Portland employees who speak one or more languages in addition to English, may be eligible to receive a "language pay differential." This is compensation for qualifying multilingual City employees who use their language skills to assist the community. More about the language pay differential can be found here.

Position Summary:

Engineering Trainees assist others within PBOT in designing and operating streets within Portland. This is a great opportunity for students of a Civil/Transportation Engineering or Planning program to learn how to apply transportation engineering principles to improve the safety of City of Portland's transportation system. Trainees will apply technical engineering knowledge to the solution of design, maintenance, improvement, and construction problems pertaining to the City's infrastructure and private development. They will work under the supervision of professional engineers and engineering technicians who serve as resource experts and routinely review work in progress or upon completion for accuracy and quality. The Engineering Trainees work with a broad range of customers and is expected to deliver a high level of customer service and to carry out their individual responsibilities with initiative, independence and creativity while exercising sound professional problem-solving skills. This position will actively participate in supporting PBOT's Strategic Plan goals.

There are five (5) positions available:

• Three (3) in the Traffic Safety Projects Section (TSP) section.
• One (1) within the Signals, Street Lighting, and Intelligent Transportation Systems (SSL&ITS) Division.

The Traffic Safety Projects team resides within the Traffic Operations group and includes 9 staff dedicated to improving traffic safety in the city. The Traffic Safety Project team is responsible for 823-SAFE program and traffic safety investigations. The team also plans, designs, and helps with construction of Quick Build capital improvement projects.

The Signals, Street Lighting, and Intelligent Transportation Systems team resides with the Traffic Systems and Operations group and includes 62 staff dedicated to the planning, design, construction and maintenance of the City of Portland's traffic signal, streetlight, and intelligent transportation systems infrastructure.

What youll get to do:

Traffic Safety Projects

• Conduct field and office review of traffic safety concerns and crashes and make recommendations for potential improvements. Some examples of the work include the evaluation of the need for stop signs, compliance with signing standards, or the need for parking removal for visibility at intersections and developing the work orders necessary for implementation.
• Learn and apply federal and local codes and standards for use in evaluating traffic safety requests.
• Review and make traffic safety recommendations as part of Safe Routes to School projects.
• Participate in the evaluation and design of Vision Zero projects.
• Develop plans/work orders for implementation of signs, pavement marking, and traffic calming features.
• Represent PBOT in interactions with the community.

Signals and Street Lights

• Assist with upgrade of PBOT's traffic signal controllers by converting signal timing, testing, and field deployment.
• Create traffic signal intersection diagrams for intersections configured in PBOT'S new central traffic signal system.
• Update traffic signals and ITS roadside devices on GIS Map and Microsoft Visio Diagram.
• Help evaluate accuracy of various bicycle, pedestrian, and vehicle detection system.
• Assist with evaluation of new emerging traffic sensor technologies.
• Assist with evaluation of street lighting needs with night drives.
• Use Bluebeam and MicroStation Computer Aided Design (CAD) and other Softwares for design, edits, and measurement calculations.
• Assist with review of construction submittals.
• Assist with field evaluation of pole conditions on aerial fiber optic communication projects.

An Ideal Candidate will have at least one (1) year of experience specializing in traffic operations, traffic safety, public works or a related field.

Who you are:

• Current student: You are in a Civil/Transportation Engineering or Planning program (proof of student status required.
• Excellent Communicator: You are a strong communicator to both technical and non-technical individuals, and proficient verbally and in writing.
• Problem Solver: You enjoy developing solutions to complex problems.
• Professional: Effective in a professional, diverse, multi-cultural environment. You treat customers, co-workers and employees with respect and are accountable.
• Results Driven: You ask good questions and finish tasks in a timely, accurate and professional manner.
• Dedicated and customer service focused: Have a passion for public service and hold a high level of pride in making sure that projects and tasks are effectively and efficiently completed.

Compensation:

$25-$26/hr 0-1 years of engineering work experience

$27-$28/hr 1-2 years of experience or in graduate education program.

About the Bureau:

The Portland Bureau of Transportation is a community partner in shaping a livable city. We plan, build, manage, and maintain an effective and safe transportation system that provides people and businesses access and mobility. We keep Portland moving. For more information about the Portland Bureau of Transportation, please visit Transportation | Portland.gov. The Portland Bureau of Transportation embraces diversity, models inclusivity, and promotes equity through its service delivery, internal operations, organizational culture, and in its work with partners and the community.

Have a question?

Contact Information:

Cierra Maceo

Recruiter

Cierra.Maceo@portlandoregon.gov

To Qualify

The following minimum qualifications are required for this position:

• Knowledge of engineering/public works terminology, practices, procedures or basic principles.
• Experience with computers and software.
• Ability to interpret and apply information from regulations and/or codes.
• Ability to interact effectively, problem solve, and partner with team members in a diverse workforce.
• Current student in a Civil/Transportation Engineering or Planning program (proof of student status required.)
• Ability to drive on City business on a project-by-project basis. Incumbents must possess a valid driver's license.

Additional desired qualifications (not required)

• Taken coursework in engineering, engineering technology or related field.
• At least one year of traffic engineering work experience or in public works engineering/civil engineering.
• An interest in traffic engineering and multi-modal transportation safety.
• Experience working with Computer-Aided Design software such as: AutoCAD, MicroStation, InRoads/OpenRoads, and/or ArcMap.
• Strong analytical skillset using excel and other geo-spatial tools.
• General productivity suite (Microsoft Office, Google Workspace)
• Ability to work fulltime during the summer and part time during the school year.

The Recruitment Process

STEP 1: Apply online between June 10 - June 29

Required Application Materials:

• Resume
• Answer to the Supplemental Questions (click on the Questions tab to preview the questions)

Optional Application Materials:

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

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.
• 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, 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 Citys online application process.
• E-mailed and/or faxed applications will not be accepted.

Step 2: Minimum Qualification Evaluation: Week of June 29

• An evaluation of each applicants training and paid and unpaid experience, as demonstrated in their resume 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 6

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

Step 4: Selection (Interview): Week of July 13

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

Step 5: Offer of Employment: Week of July 20

Step 6: Start Date: Week of July 27

• 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

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer

This summary outlines the benefit programs, actual benefits may vary depending on bargaining unit and employment status.

The City of Portland offers a comprehensive benefit package that is competitive with other private and public sector employers.

More detailed information can be obtained by calling the Health & Financial Benefits Office at 503-823-6031.

Health Care (Medical, Vision and Dental)

Casual employees can become eligible for health benefits (medical, dental & vision) through Affordable Care Act (ACA) employer provisions if they meet the necessary paid hours requirement, as determined by the Health & Financial Benefits Office.

Retirement

Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP)

The City currently pays the employees share of the retirement contribution.

Employees who are OPSRP members are vested after five years of contributions or when they reach age 65 (age 60 for police and fire.)

Sick Leave

Casual employees accrue sick leave as outlined in the City of Portland protected sick time law.

Family Medical Leave

In accordance with federal and state law, and the City policy for family medical leave, the City grants family and medical leave to eligible employees for certain family and medical related reasons.

01

Thank you for your interest in joining the team at the City of Portland. We sincerely value your time and hope to make your application experience as positive as possible.

The following supplemental questions are an important step to assist us in determining if you have the minimum qualifications to succeed in the posted vacancy.

Write specific and unique responses to each question. Answering "No", to any of the Yes/No questions or answering an essay question with the following "See resume", or entering "N/A" for any of the minimum qualifications listed in the "To Qualify" section may eliminate you from further consideration.

Note: If you are requesting veterans preference, please be sure to upload a copy of your DD214 and/or Veterans administration letter stating your disability. Veterans preference documentation must be submitted by the closing time of this announcement.

Have you read and understood all the information listed above?

• Yes
• No - If you have any questions, please contact the recruiter on the announcement.

02

The City of Portland receives public records requests at times. Please indicate which response you find appropriate: (Answer will not disqualify you from the process)

• My application was submitted with the understanding that the City of Portland would keep the information confidential and would only disclose the information if ordered to do so. I would not have submitted this application without the promise of confidentiality.
• You may release my application; I am waiving confidentiality.

03

Where did you first learn about this job opportunity? (If on a website or job board, please specify which one)

04

Are you a current student in a Civil/Transportation Engineering program?

• Yes
• No

05

Do you have a valid drivers license?

• Yes
• No

06

Do you have the Ability to drive on City business on a project-by-project basis?

• Yes
• No

07

Please let us know which internship you are most interested in, please list your preference in order. Example Response: Signals &Street Lighting Division in the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) = 1st ChoiceTraffic Operations (TRO) section= 2nd choiceOr: No preference

Required Question

Employer City of Portland

Address 1120 SW 5th Ave, Room 987

Portland, Oregon, 97204

Website http://www.portlandoregon.gov/jobs