Wastewater Operations Supervisor II en City of Portland, OR

About the Department

Job Appointment: Full-Time
Work Schedule: Monday–Friday, 7 am-3:30 pm. An alternate schedule may be available.
Work Location: 5001 N COLUMBIA BLVD, PORTLAND, OR 97203
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 respond to the supplemental questions and attach a resume.

The Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) is seeking a Wastewater Operations Supervisor (Supervisor II) to join our Wastewater Operations Division to oversee the supervision of the State of Oregon’s largest activated sludge wastewater treatment plant, as well as the support and management of the personnel directly involved in the treatment process. 

The current vacancy exists due to the retirement of the Special Operations Group (SOG) Supervisor; however, work unit supervisory assignment is determined by division leadership and may change at any time. See below for a description of work units in the Operations Division.

The position requires physical presence at the treatment facility, and the schedule is:

The candidate selected for this position will work M-F, five days/week, 8 hours/day from 07:00 am to 15:30 pm during onboarding and orientation. The final schedule will be determined and agreed upon, including options for compressed work week opportunities, by the incumbent and manager.

This position performs a highly specialized role in offering guidance, planning, support, and completion of technical tasks in support of the BES O&M Group, Operations Division.   Additionally, the focus of each Supervisory position will be on the optimization and coordination of operational practice and control of conventional activated sludge wastewater treatment plants as well as the support and management of the personnel directly involved in the treatment process. Work unit supervisory support will include a collaborative approach in supporting all operational work units. Other activities performed by this role are varied, are assigned, and include a rotational on-call coordinator requirement.

Under general direction, plans, schedules, organizes, and directs work unit programs comprised of water quality professionals engaged in the operation and maintenance of state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plants and a Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) system; ensures the proper, efficient, and safe operation of wastewater collection and treatment systems and facilities; provides and plans program support and participates with internal and external stakeholders while performing related duties as assigned.

Appointees are responsible for formulating and developing work unit goals and objectives, providing input for budgetary needs/considerations, and supervising assigned personnel while directing day-to-day activities.  Work results are reviewed through inspection and analysis of records, reports, and plant performance.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plans, supports, supervises, and evaluates the work of assigned staff; with staff, develops, implements, and monitors work plans to achieve division mission, goals, and performance measures.
• Plans and evaluates the performance of assigned staff.
• Performs project management support and may include contract management components.
• Works with assigned staff to ensure the proper, safe, and efficient operation of large, state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plants and the CSO system.
• Provides technical assistance and advice to ensure regulatory requirements are met.
• Ensures proper training of staff in work methods, use of tools and equipment, and relevant safety precautions.
• Responds to emergency situations as necessary.
• Participates in the creation and long-term planning of division budgets
• Research new operational methods, techniques, and equipment and recommend their application.
• Performs On Call Coordinator rotational duties.

The Operations Division is organized into the following work units:

1. CBWTP Liquids Treatment: This work unit is responsible for the 24/7 operation of the general liquids processes, including the management of collection system flows coming into the plant as well as the headworks (preliminary), primary treatment, secondary treatment, disinfection, and effluent process areas.
2.  CBWTP Solids Treatment: This work unit is responsible for the 24/7 operation and management of the anaerobic digestion system and associated gas users; solids thickening and/or dewatering process areas.
3. CBWTP Special Operations: This work group coordinates and performs proactive maintenance/cleaning work onsite during the day shift; collection, analysis and delivery of compliance samples; lagoon dredge operations, and operational preventive maintenance activities (i.e., gate/valve exercise program) throughout the facility, along with providing relief (vacation and leave coverage) and support for other operational work units when needed.
4. TCWTP Operations: This work group reports directly to the TCWTP and is responsible for the operation of all treatment process areas at the facility. Staff work day shifts with minimum staffing onsite Saturdays and Sundays. TCWTP is remotely monitored from CBWTP outside of the day shift.  
5. Biosolids Land Application: This team works to provide year-round scheduling for and monitoring of the eastern and central Oregon land application program.

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: www.portlandoregon.gov/bes/
 
Our BES 10-Year Strategic Plan can be found here: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bes/75720

Position Duties

Applicants must specifically address and demonstrate in their supplemental question responses and resume/work history how their education, training, and/or experience meet each of the following minimum qualifications 

1. Knowledge of wastewater treatment processes, including the operation of process control equipment, troubleshooting techniques, and laboratory procedures.

2. 8 years of demonstrated experience in municipal or industrial wastewater treatment, with an increasing level of responsibility, with a preferred 3 years of supervisory experience. In-depth understanding of the biological treatment process and the ability to recognize and navigate process upsets are required.

3. Knowledge of municipal contract management, including negotiating with vendors for cost-effective solutions and outcomes.

4. Ability to plan, prioritize, and schedule work while leading a team of professional operators in adhering to safety and compliance requirements.

5. Skills to effectively communicate with, lead, support, and coach high-functioning operators within a work unit.

6. Ability to be a human-centered leader who will incorporate equity into the decision-making process.

Applicants must also possess:

• A valid state driver's license and acceptable driving record at the time of hire.
•  The ability to obtain Oregon DEQ Wastewater Treatment Grade III certification or higher within 12 months. See DEQ’s “Treatment System Operator Qualifications” at the following link:

https://www.oregon.gov/deq/wq/Documents/Opcert-PathwayQualsForCollectionTreatment

Minimum Qualifications

STEP 1: Apply online between September 8, 2025, and September 22, 2025

Required Application Materials:

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

• Your responses to the supplemental questions should include details describing your education, training and/or experience, and where obtained, which clearly reflect 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 that 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 the closing date and time of this recruitment.   

• An evaluation of each applicant's training and paid and unpaid experience, as demonstrated in their resume and supplemental questions, is 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 results. Please read the City of Portland Administrative Rule 3.01 for complete information.
• Additional evaluation may be required before establishment of the eligible list and/or final selection.

• Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on the equally ranked eligible list.
• Please note, the selection process may take up to 90 days from the notification of being placed on the eligible list.

• 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.

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

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