Sr Public Works Analyst (Analyst III) at City of Portland, OR

About the Department

Job Appointment: Full-Time
Work Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8 am-5 pm. An alternate schedule may be available.
Work Location: 1120 SW 5TH AVE, PORTLAND, OR 97204
Benefits: For an overview of the benefits for this position, you can visit our benefits tab.
Union Representation: Non-represented, no union affiliation


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 a cover letter.

The Senior Public Works Analyst will serve as a vital connection between the Public Works Deputy City Administrator’s Office, Public Works Bureaus, City Council, and community groups. This role will focus on constituent relations, Public Works Bureau, and community relations, communication, and policy analysis. This role will also represent the Deputy City Administrator (DCA) in interactions with Public Works’ bureau leadership and Council members and staff, support policy analysis and communication efforts, ensuring consistent, informed communication between the DCA’s office, Bureaus, and Council.

The Public Works Analyst's responsibilities include performing administrative, management, program, policy, and legislative analyses. This role will interpret and advise management on the application of laws, rules, labor agreements, and policies, and will prepare written and verbal recommendations to leadership.

This position will be a member of the Public Works DCA’s Office.

• Assess, evaluate, and interpret incoming correspondence and legislative documents, advising the DCA and senior staff accordingly
• Provide support for constituent services and respond to public inquiries in coordination with the DCA
• Assemble, analyze, and interpret data and prepare correspondence and reports identifying issues and presenting recommendations to management
• Monitor the development of legislation and Council initiatives
• Conduct research to support policy initiatives and identify data, metrics, and best practices that inform decision-making
• Plan, develop, and lead teams for the implementation of Public Works programs and initiatives
• Develop and present objective analyses, observations, and findings to the DCA, managers, and City officials via written reports and oral presentations

The successful candidate will have strong oral and written communication skills, the ability to manage multiple and varied tasks with different timelines and levels of urgency, and an aptitude for understanding and distilling complex information.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in business or public administration, political science, or a closely related field.
• Experience working with elected officials and diverse communities.

Position Duties

Applicants should specifically address and demonstrate in their cover letter and résumé how their education, training, and/or experience meet each of the following minimum qualifications:

1. Ability to navigate complex political environments and build relationships across departments.
2. Ability to analyze legislation and policy proposals, monitor City Council activity, and summarize key developments for the Deputy City Administrator and senior Bureau staff.
3. Ability to conduct thorough research and synthesize relevant data to support policy development and strategic decision-making.
4. Ability to exercise independent judgement, problem-solve, take initiative within established guidelines, and utilize strong organizational skills to prioritize competing demands to meet tight deadlines with accuracy and attention to detail.
5. Experience providing briefings and drafting correspondence clearly and persuasively for diverse audiences.

• A valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record

Minimum Qualifications

STEP 1: Apply online between September 15, 2025, and September 29, 2025

• 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. 

• An evaluation of each applicant's training and paid and unpaid experience, as demonstrated in their resume and cover letter, is 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 before the establishment of the eligible list and/or final selection.

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

• 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.

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

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