Instrument Technician - Water Bureau Extended Deadline
Salary
$49.34 - $53.29 Hourly
Location
Water Interstate Facility, 664 N Tillamook St, OR
Job Type
Regular
Job Number
2026-00305
Bureau
Portland Water Bureau
Opening Date
04/13/2026
Closing Date
7/13/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
The Position
About the position
Job Appointment: Full time
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 6AM - 2:30 PM Training Schedule; then 10-hour shifts 4 days a week
Work Location: Water Interstate Facility, 664 N. Interstate Avenue, Portland, OR 97227
Benefit: Please check our benefit tab for an overview of benefit for this position
Language Pay Premium Eligible: This position may be eligible for Language Pay Differential for qualifying employees.
Union Representation: District Council Trade Union (DCTU); To view this labor agreement, please click here. Applicants start at the entry salary rate of $49.34 hourly. If you are a DCTU represented employee, see labor agreement for additional information or talk to your union representative.
Application Material: Please click APPLY to submit your application via the City of Portland's online portal. You will need respond to the supplemental questions and attach a resume. Please upload your licensure and certification if you have it. Note: Do not include your age, date of birth, or the dates you attended or graduated from school. Only provide this information if it is specifically requested to meet job requirements or to follow federal, state, or local laws or rules.
Position Summary
The City of Portland is seeking an Instrument Technician to join our dynamic team of highly qualified and innovative technicians that work on complex and varied instruments and control systems.
Instrument Technicians install, maintain, repair and document electrical, electronic instrument systems. These systems are used to meter, record, analyze, control and monitor water treatment plants, pump stations, reservoirs, and metering sites. Instrument Technicians inspect and test instruments and systems, determine the cause of malfunctions, service and repair the instruments and then calibrate the system. Work responsibilities can include developing Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) systems and maintaining and improving existing systems; and maintaining, developing and troubleshooting networked communications and SCADA systems.
As a person, you are:
Highly collaborative: You take direction well, offer thoughtful guidance, and work toward shared goals. You enjoy partnering with colleagues from diverse personal and professional backgrounds and adapt your approach to support effective teamwork.
Detail-oriented: You bring strong attention to detail and follow best practices to ensure accuracy, consistency, and high-quality work.
Equity-focused: You understand how equity connects to the work we do and consider its impact in your decisions, interactions, and problem-solving.
A problem-solver: You apply your technical understanding to real-world situations, developing practical solutions and improvements that strengthen the Bureau's instrumentation and controls program.
Adaptable: You evaluate real-world situations using your understanding of instrumentation and controls to established processes with a critical eye and identify opportunities for improvement, whether through training, technology, or workflow changes.
An effective communicator: You communicate clearly, build productive working relationships, and contribute successfully both independently and as part of a team.
About the Water Bureau: The Portland Water Bureau (PWB) serves almost a million people in the Portland area, about a quarter of Oregons population. PWB employs over 600 people providing responsive service to build and maintain a water system that enhances public health and safety and contributes to the economic vitality and livability of the Portland metropolitan region. To learn more about working at Water visit our website: https://www.portland.gov/water/about-us/work-water
Have a question?
Contact Information:
Tami Larison, Recruiter
Bureau of Human Resources
Tamara.larison@portlandoregon.gov
To Qualify
Applicants must describe in their résumé how their education, training, work experience and/or lived experience meets each of the following minimum qualifications:
Applicants must also:
Although not required, you may have one or more of the following:
The Recruitment Process
STEP 1: Apply online between April 13, 2026, to July 13, 2026
Required Application Materials:
Résumé
Note: Do not include your age, date of birth, or the dates you attended or graduated from school. Only provide this information if it is specifically requested to meet job requirements or to follow federal, state, or local laws or rules.
Answer to the Supplemental Questions (click on the Questions tab to preview the questions)
Optional Application Materials:
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.
Do not attach any additional documents. Do not attach a cover letter, it will not be reviewed.
All applications must be submitted via the Citys online application process by the closing date and time.
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. We encourage using AI to generate ideas and then tailor them to reflect your own experiences and skills.
Step 2: Minimum Qualification Evaluation: Week of May 11, 2026
Step 3: Establishment of Eligible List: Week of June 15, 2026
Step 4: Selection (Interview): Late June 2026
Step 5: Offer of Employment: July 2026
Step 6: Pre-Employment Exam - Preplacement Physical Examination: To Be Determined
As part of the conditional job offer, candidates must complete a Prehire Evaluation during the hiring process/probationary period. The Prehire Evaluation may consist of a medical exam, screenings, and a physical capacities test (PCT) required for work clearance and safety compliance. The PCT measures physical ability through job-related tasks such as lifting, carrying, climbing, shoveling, and repetitive movements. Unless already employed in a City position requiring a similar or more demanding PCT, candidates must pass all required tasks to proceed with employment. For more information visit the Prehire Evaluation page.
Step 7: Start Date: July to August 2026
Additional Information
Click here for additional information regarding the following:
A Career with the City of Portland offers many Employee Benefits
We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to
AND SO MANY MORE!
Benefits may vary depending on bargaining unit and employment status. Click here to review the many different benefits the City of Portland offers.
01
Thank you for considering joining 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 in the examination and selection process to assist us in determining if you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities to succeed in the posted vacancy.
A lack of a complete and thorough response to each of the supplemental questions in the space provided may result in disqualification from the examination. In addition, the selections you make and responses you provide in the questionnaire must accurately reflect what is documented in your resume.
Have you read and understood the information listed above?
02
Where did you first learn about this job opportunity? (If on a website or job board, please specify which one)
03
The City of Portland sometimes gets requests for public records. Please choose the response that best fits your preference:
(Your choice will not affect your application process.)
04
Do you have a State of Oregon Limited Energy Class A or B or higher-level Electrical License? Or possess an out of state equivalent license that is eligible to transfer and acquire Oregon Licensing within six months of time of hire?
05
Identify the electrical licensure your currently hold:
06
Provide active License number(s), if applicable.
07
Do you have knowledge of tools, materials, processes and techniques of precision instruments, process control equipment and electronics including troubleshooting techniques?
08
Provide a detailed example(s) of your knowledge of tools, materials, processes and techniques of precision instruments, process control equipment and electronics including troubleshooting techniques.
In your response, include details that clearly reflect how you meet this minimum qualification. Such as:
09
Do you have 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?
10
Provide a detailed example(s) of your 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
In your response, include details that clearly reflect how you meet this minimum qualification. Such as:
11
Do you have skill in mechanical and process control troubleshooting techniques; methods and techniques editing and creating PLC program logic; database principles and concepts; office suite software; application of the National Electrical Code (NEC), and Instrument Society of America (ISA) standards; safe work practices?
12
Provide a detailed example(s) of your skill in mechanical and process control troubleshooting techniques; methods and techniques editing and creating PLC program logic; database principles and concepts; office suite software; application of the National Electrical Code (NEC), and Instrument Society of America (ISA) standards; safe work practices.
In your response, include details that clearly reflect how you meet this minimum qualification. Such as:
13
Do you have the ability to perform layout and sketch designs for process control installations, modifications and repairs?
14
Provide a detailed example(s) of your ability to perform layout and sketch designs for process control installations, modifications and repairs.
In your response, include details that clearly reflect how you meet this minimum qualification. Such as:
15
Are you able to pass a background check?
16
Do you have a valid state drivers license and an acceptable driving record?
17
Are you able to lift up to 50 pounds?
18
Are you able to climb to heights of 150 feet and work in confined spaces (underground vaults)?
19
If hired, will you wear protective gear while on the job?
20
Please note the following question will not be considered during minimum qualification review. The information provided will be reviewed during the selection process.
Although not required, please provide information for any of the following:
(Enter N/A if you do not have relevant experience)
Required Question
Employer City of Portland
Address 1120 SW 5th Ave, Room 987
Portland, Oregon, 97204