Watershed Specialist II

Watershed Specialist II

Salary

$37.43 - $41.26 Hourly

Location

Bull Run Sandy River Facility, 10991 SE Lusted Rd, Sandy OR 97055, OR

Job Type

Regular

Job Number

2026-00863

Bureau

Portland Water Bureau

Opening Date

10/12/2026

Closing Date

10/26/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

The Position

The Portland Water Bureau is seeking a Watershed Specialist II to join their team.

Job Appointment: Regular Full Time

Work Schedule: 6:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday-Thursday or Tuesday-Friday

Work Location: In-person, Sandy River Station. 10991 SE Lusted Rd, Sandy, OR 97055, USA

Language Pay Premium Eligible: This position is or may be eligible for Language Pay Differential for qualifying employees.

Union Representation: American Federation of State, County, and municipal Employees, AFSCME 189. To view this labor agreement, please click here.

Starting Pay: Applicants start at the entry rate. If you are an AFSCME/DCTU-represented employee, see labor agreement or contact your labor representative for additional information.

Position Summary:

This position is stationed at the Sandy River facility and has broad responsibility in watershed stewardship for the maintenance of rights-of-way, waterways, roads, trails, facility maintenance, water conduit maintenance, and related activities. Watershed specialist II is involved in the operations and maintenance of the infrastructure located in the Bull Run Watershed. The Watershed Specialist II will remove fallen trees; brush and mow right-of-ways, roads and bureau facilities; install and repair log booms in reservoirs and lakes located in the watershed; and install, repair and maintain culverts and gates. In addition, this position will assist an Operating Engineer and Watershed Specialist III in performing conduit operations and maintenance. They may also be asked to assist a carpenter performing various maintenance activities associated with the facilities in the Bull Run Watershed.

This position requires a CDL and will operate large dump trucks and other equipment.

To Qualify

Applicants must demonstrate how their education, training, and experience meet each of the minimum qualifications listed below:

• Knowledge of watershed policies, practices and procedures; forestry safety and control.
• Knowledge of and skill in the safe operation of watercrafts and a variety of equipment used in watershed stewardship including but not limited to brush cutters, chainsaws, brush chippers, forklift trucks, power washers, large and small dump trucks etc.
• Ability to lift, carry and otherwise move equipment and objects weighing up to 100 pounds, and traverse rough terrain and steps associated with the dams.
• Ability to enter and crawl through confined spaces such as inside conduits.

Applicants must also possess:

• A valid Class A Commercial Drivers License and acceptable driving record at the time of appointment.

The Recruitment Process

How to Apply:

• Submit your resume and responses to supplemental questions by the closing date, October 26, 2026.
• (Optional) Submit Veterans' Preference documents, if applicable.

If this is your first time applying with the City of Portland, or if you haven't requested veteran preference before (and would like to now), please attach your DD214-Member 4 and/or VA Benefit Letter to your application. Once we verify your eligibility, we'll record your veteran preference in our system, so it automatically applies to your future applications.

• Click here for application tips for resume, supplemental question response and/or cover letter.

What to Expect:

• Application Review - (Week of October 26th): Well review your application materials to ensure you meet the minimum qualifications listed above.
• Notice/Feedback - (Week of November 2nd): You will receive an email when the minimum qualification review is complete. If you disagree with the evaluation results, you may request a review within 14 days of the email notice, per City Administrative Rule 3.01.
• Selection Process - (Mid to late November 2026): The hiring bureau will review qualified applications, conduct interviews, and check references.
• Conditional Job Offer - (December 2026): Final candidates may undergo a background or driving record check, depending on the position.
• Pre-hire Evaluation: As part of the conditional job offer, candidates must complete a Pre-hire Evaluation during the hiring process/probationary period. The Pre-hire 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 Pre-hire Evaluation page.

Additional Information

• How to Apply Videos and Workshops
• City of Portland Core Values
• HRAR-3.01 - Recruitment Processes
• Veteran Preference Information
• Total Compensation and Benefits
• Language Pay Differential Eligibility

We're committed to providing a fair, inclusive, and accessible hiring process. If you need assistance with your application or would like to request a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, pregnancy, or religious belief, please contact the recruiter listed below.

Questions? Were here to help!

If you have questions about this recruitment or need assistance, contact:

Tami Larison, Senior Recruiter

Tamara.Larison@portlandoregon.gov

Bureau of Human Resources

A Career with the City of Portland offers many Employee Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to

• Health Care (Medical, Vision and Dental)
• Carrot Fertility
• Wellness Benefits
• Life Insurance
• Long-term disability
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Retirement
• Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), including contributions to the PERS IAP plan paid by employer
• Family Medical Leave
• City Paid Parental Leave

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?

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

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.)

• I want my application to stay private. I understand that the City of Portland will keep my information confidential unless required to share it by law.
• I allow my application to be shared. I understand that by choosing this option, my information is no longer private.

04

Do you have knowledge of watershed policies, practices and procedures; forestry safety and control?

• Yes
• No

05

Provide a detailed example(s) of your knowledge of watershed policies, practices and procedures; forestry safety and control.

In your response, include details that clearly reflect how you meet this minimum qualification. Such as:

• Tell us about a time you used this skill, knowledge or ability. This could be something you did at work, during an internship, while volunteering, or from your personal life.
• What was your role or the problem you had to solve?
• What steps did you take to handle it? Include any training, past experience, or skills you used.
• What happened as a result? What did you learn?
• How does this experience help you succeed in future jobs?

06

Do you have knowledge of and skill in the safe operation of watercrafts and a variety of equipment used in watershed stewardship including but not limited to brush cutters, chainsaws, brush chippers, forklift trucks, power washers, large and small dump trucks etc?

• Yes
• No

07

Provide a detailed example(s) of your knowledge of and skill in the safe operation of watercrafts and a variety of equipment used in watershed stewardship including but not limited to brush cutters, chainsaws, brush chippers, forklift trucks, power washers, large and small dump trucks etc. Include equipment you have used.

In your response, include details that clearly reflect how you meet this minimum qualification. Such as:

• Tell us about a time you used this skill, knowledge or ability. This could be something you did at work, during an internship, while volunteering, or from your personal life.
• What was your role or the problem you had to solve?
• What steps did you take to handle it? Include any training, past experience, or skills you used.
• What happened as a result? What did you learn?
• How does this experience help you succeed in future jobs?

08

Do you have ability to lift, carry and otherwise move equipment and objects weighing up to 100 pounds, and traverse rough terrain and steps associated with the dams?

• Yes
• No

09

Provide a detailed example(s) of your ability to lift, carry and otherwise move equipment and objects weighing up to 100 pounds, and traverse rough terrain and steps associated with the dams.

In your response, include details that clearly reflect how you meet this minimum qualification. Such as:

• Tell us about a time you used this skill, knowledge or ability. This could be something you did at work, during an internship, while volunteering, or from your personal life.
• What was your role or the problem you had to solve?
• What steps did you take to handle it? Include any training, past experience, or skills you used.
• What happened as a result? What did you learn?
• How does this experience help you succeed in future jobs?

10

Do you have ability to enter and crawl through confined spaces such as inside conduits?

• Yes
• No

11

Provide a detailed example(s) of your ability to enter and crawl through confined spaces such as inside conduits.

In your response, include details that clearly reflect how you meet this minimum qualification. Such as:

• Tell us about a time you used this skill, knowledge or ability. This could be something you did at work, during an internship, while volunteering, or from your personal life.
• What was your role or the problem you had to solve?
• What steps did you take to handle it? Include any training, past experience, or skills you used.
• What happened as a result? What did you learn?
• How does this experience help you succeed in future jobs?

12

Do you currently have a valid Class A Commercial Drivers License (CDL) with an acceptable driving record?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Portland

Address 1120 SW 5th Ave, Room 987

Portland, Oregon, 97204

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