First Opportunity Program: Operating Engineer II - Portland'5 Centers for the Arts

First Opportunity Program: Operating Engineer II - Portland5 Centers for the Arts

Salary

$44.69 - $46.83 Hourly

Location

Portland5 Centers for the Arts, OR

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

2026-8195-P5-F

Department

Portland5 Ctrs for the Arts

Division

P5 Facilities Management

Opening Date

10/08/2026

Closing Date

10/15/2026 12:00 AM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position Summary

This is a First Opportunity recruitment, we are only accepting applications from residents who live within the First Opportunity Target Area (FOTA) and meet the qualifying annual household income limit. For more information please visit www.oregonmetro.gov/fota.

Hello, we're Metro! Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow.

Portland'5 Centers for the Arts is seeking an Operating Engineer II to support the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of its performing arts and event facilities. This customer service-focused position is responsible for the maintenance, troubleshooting, inspection, monitoring, and repair of complex commercial building systems. The primary focus of the role is HVAC controls and electrical work performed under a Limited Maintenance Electrician (LME) license, while also supporting plumbing, fire and life safety systems, network infrastructure, refrigeration equipment, door and lock hardware, and other critical building infrastructure. Working both independently and collaboratively with staff, contractors, and stakeholders, the Operating Engineer II plays a key role in ensuring Portland'5 facilities remain operational and ready to support performances, events, and public activities.

The ideal candidate is a dependable, safety-conscious professional with strong troubleshooting skills, excellent customer service abilities, and the capacity to work effectively with limited supervision. This regular full-time position works an established schedule and participates in a rotating monthly on-call program with other engineering staff. The role may require responding to facility emergencies and providing coverage outside normal business hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as operational needs require. Success in this position depends on clear and professional communication, strong coordination with contractors and stakeholders, and accurate documentation of work activities and system performance. Proficiency with communication and work management tools, including email, SharePoint, mobile communications, two-way radios, Building Automation Systems, and a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS), is essential.

As the Operating Engineer II you will:

• Operate facility controls. Schedule, adjust, monitor and operate automated HVAC and lighting control systems based on event schedules, client requests, staff or patron feedback and weather conditions.
• Maintain and troubleshoot HVAC systems. Inspect, operate, troubleshoot and perform preventive maintenance on air-handling units, boilers, heating systems, chillers, cooling towers, pumps, fans, actuators, controls, programmable logic controllers and BACnet-based building automation systems.
• Perform licensed electrical work. Troubleshoot, maintain, replace and repair electrical systems as permitted by your license; reference applicable electrical code; ensure contractor permitting documentation is completed; and verify lockout/tagout and other electrical safety practices.
• Support plumbing and hydronic systems. Maintain and troubleshoot piping, valves, hydronic distribution, drainage, plumbing fixtures and potable and non-potable water systems.
• Support fire and life safety systems. Assist with inspection, maintenance, troubleshooting and contractor coordination for alarms, sprinklers, suppression systems and related equipment.
• Coordinate repairs and contractors. Schedule and support in-house and contracted maintenance, inspections and repairs; prepare work areas and facility access; communicate status; and verify the quality, safety and completeness of completed work. Follow up with information regarding completion and process, in detail, to supervisor.
• Maintain additional building systems. Support network infrastructure, refrigeration and kitchen equipment, windows, doors, closers, locks, gates, latches, exterior building components, carpentry and other building trades. Cut keys or perform welding or brazing when qualified and assigned.
• Respond to operational needs. Prepare and stage equipment or access for events, including key-core changes, spider boxes and wire covers, and respond to emergency facility situations as instructed.
• Document and improve the work: Create and maintain detailed work orders, maintenance records, and reports; review system analytics and performance data; utilize building plans, technical documentation, and shared reference materials to support maintenance activities. Provide timely and consistent follow-up to customers, team members, contractors, and supervisors, ensuring all stakeholders remain informed of project status and maintenance activities. Identify opportunities to improve processes, efficiency, and service delivery, and communicate recommendations and feedback in a professional, constructive, and solution-oriented manner.
• Lead through example and knowledge sharing. Maintain required training and certifications, model and promote safe work practices, review contractor work areas for safety and compliance, maintain organized and safe workspaces, and provide guidance and training to less experienced employees. This position may serve as a journeyman in a future apprenticeship program and must be willing and able to fulfill those responsibilities if assigned.

Attributes for success:

• Safety leadership and Cleanliness: You consistently apply OSHA and industry safety standards, select and properly use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), perform lockout/tagout procedures and job hazard analyses, identify and mitigate hazards, and actively promote a safe working environment for others. You understand that organization, housekeeping, and workspace cleanliness are critical components of workplace safety and consistently maintain clean, orderly, and well-organized work areas to reduce risk, improve efficiency, and support safe operations.
• Technical Judgment and Troubleshooting: You apply fact-based reasoning, sound technical judgment, and a methodical troubleshooting approach to identify and resolve complex facility issues. You regularly consult applicable codes, regulations, manufacturer documentation, and technical references, and are proficient in reading and interpreting schematics, one-line diagrams, and mechanical, electrical, fire protection, and architectural drawings. You are comfortable researching and referencing building, electrical, mechanical, and life-safety codes before, during, and after completing work to ensure compliance, accuracy, and high-quality results.
• Reliability and independence: You maintain excellent attendance and consistently arrive prepared and on time for scheduled shifts, meetings, and assignments. You effectively manage competing priorities based on assignments, operational needs, and feedback. You follow through on commitments, work independently with limited supervision, and consistently demonstrate ownership of your responsibilities. Team members and leadership can rely on you to complete work within established deadlines, proactively communicate progress, and promptly identify and communicate obstacles, risks, or resource needs that may affect successful completion of assigned work.
• Customer service and communication: You communicate respectfully with staff, performers, contractors, inspectors, clients and the public; provide timely updates; and write clear, detailed work orders and reports.
• Collaboration: You build productive working relationships, coordinate across trades and departments, and verify that work is completed safely and to an appropriate standard.
• Continuous improvement: You stay current in your field, learn unfamiliar systems or trades, use data and documentation, and contribute practical ideas that improve facility operations.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

At Metro, we strive to cultivate diversity, advance equity, and practice inclusion in all of its work. This means attracting and empowering a workforce that is inclusive of a broad range of human qualities. Workplace diversity is both a moral imperative and a business strength, essential to providing quality support and services to our region. Metro's goal is to hire, develop and retain highly skilled and talented individuals across all departments and programs who best reflect the diversity of our community.

Learn more about how Metro is advancing diversity

TO QUALIFY

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Two(2) years of experience as an operating engineer in a large public events facility, commercial, industrial, institutional, hospitality, healthcare, public assembly, or similar facility or,
• Any combination of education, training, and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of this position.

Required:

• Oregon Limited Maintenance Electrician (LME) License or higher.
• Valid drivers license.

Special Requirements:

• Be able to obtain and maintain CPR and First Aid certification.

• Be able to work evenings, weekends and holidays when required and respond to emergencies outside normal work hours as assigned.

• Be able to perform the essential physical duties of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, and meet applicable background and driving-record screening requirements.

Working Conditions : Work is performed primarily in mechanical and facility environments, with some office work and local travel. The role is approximately 80% indoors and 20% outdoors and may involve temperature extremes, vibration, moving machinery, low-light conditions, construction areas, heights, confined or restricted spaces, chemicals and the physical, electrical, thermal and ergonomic hazards typical of building trades work.

The work is strenuous and may require frequent walking, standing, reaching, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, climbing stairs or tall ladders, crawling in restricted areas, repetitive movement, exposure to vibration, and pushing, pulling, carrying or lifting materials and equipment up to 50 pounds. Daily physical exertion is generally required.

Employees use task-appropriate PPE and a broad range of trade tools, testing devices, computers, radios, access equipment and occasionally rented heavy machinery. A strong commitment to established safety procedures and prompt reporting of hazards is essential.

If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply

If you were terminated for cause during any employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, you may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.

Like to have qualifications:

You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider them when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position.

• OSHA 10-hour or 30-hour certification.

• Universal CFC/EPA certification or HVAC trade-school certification.

• Niagara or other building automation system training.

• Mobile elevated work platform, scaffolding, forklift or heavy-equipment authorization.

• Fall-protection training.

• Brazing or welding certification and experience using a hot-work program.

• Lock technician or locksmith training.

• Network infrastructure or security certification, or working knowledge of TCP/IP networking hardware and physical infrastructure.

• Commercial facility maintenance or mechanical experience gained through military service.

SCREENING AND EVALUATION

The application packet: The application packet consists of the following required documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment.

• A completed online application
• Responses to supplemental questions

The selection process: We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows. The selection process is subject to change.

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
• Consideration of top candidates/interviews
• Testing/assessments (if applicable)
• Reference check
• Background and driving records check for finalist candidate

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND REPRESENTATON

The starting pay rate for this position is $44.69per hour. Upon successful completion of the six-month probationary period, the pay rate will increase to $46.83 per hour.

This position is eligible for overtime and is represented by IUOE Local 701union. The position is classified as an Operating Engineer II.

Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions. View the classification description.

Questions?

Recruiter: Megan Warneke

Email:megan.warneke@oregonmetro.gov

Additional Information

Equal employment opportunity

All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made, or any other status protected by law.

Non-discrimination in hiring decisions

Metro is committed to equal employment opportunity and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local civil rights laws. Metro employment decisions - including recruitment, screening, interviewing, selection, promotion, compensation, and separation - must not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected class.

Accommodation

Metro will gladly provide a reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.

Veterans preference

Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans preference when applying for Metro positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

Pay equity at Metro

No matter who you are or where you work at Metro, you deserve to be paid fairly for the work you do. Every worker must get equal pay for equal work regardless of your gender, race, age, or other protected characteristics. Metro has established processes and conducts routine pay equity reviews as part of the hiring process to ensure compliance with the 2017 Oregon Pay Equity Act.

Online applications

Metro accepts job applications online. If you need assistance or accommodation with your application, or access to a computer, please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.

How to Apply

For tips on how to apply and more information on what the application process looks like, visit Metro's "How to apply" page.

Government Jobs

For assistance with your account or to reset your password please visit GovernmentJobs "Help and Support" page.

Metro

Led by an elected council, this unique government gives all residents of greater Portland a voice in shaping the future and provides parks, venues, services, and tools at a regional scale. We find solutions for our area's garbage and recycling that protect clean air and water; help plan land use and development to provide jobs and safe transportation; manage local venues that provide a connection to arts and culture and help keep the economy growing; protect 17,000 acres of parks and natural areas, and run the Oregon Zoo, to keep nature close to home.

As part of the Metro family, Portland5 Centers for the Arts helps make greater Portland a great place to call home. Metro brings people together to shape the future of our area and provides parks, venues, services, and tools at a regional scale.

Portland'5 Centers for the Arts and Metro

As the fifth-largest performing arts center in the nation, Portland'5 Centers for the Arts takes care of treasured public theaters and concert halls that bring music, theater, dance and lecture performances to greater Portland. Portland'5's roughly 73 employees host more than one million patrons each year.

As part of the Metro family, you play a vital role in serving the people of the greater Portland region.

Family members, including eligible spouses, domestic partners, and children, are covered under most of our benefits programs. Benefits vary depending on position and full-time, part-time, and variable hour status.

This is a budgeted, regular status position with a full-time schedule. The position is eligible for these benefits:

• Medical, dental and vision health insurance
• Paid sick leave
• Paid vacation, holiday, and other leave
• Paid parental leave
• Full contribution to Oregon PERS retirement
• No-cost TriMet Hop Pass
• Employee Assistance Program
• Training opportunities
• Flexible schedules depending on position and department
• Hybrid/Telework living in Oregon /Washington depending on position and department

Metro also offers a variety of perks for all employees, including free admission to the Oregon Zoo (including ZooLights!), Oxbow and Blue Lake Regional Parks, membership discount at Lloyd Athletic Club, credit union eligibility and more. Employees also receive access to financial wellness and legal consultation services, as well as first-time home buying and ownership counseling.

Learn more about employee benefits.

Some positions are represented by a union and have additional benefits.

View union contracts here.

01

This position requires an Oregon Limited Maintenance Electrician (LME) License or higher. Do you currently possess an Oregon Limited Maintenance Electrician (LME) License or a higher-level electrical license?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have a valid drivers license?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you hold any trade certifications, technical training, or related credentials that are relevant or transferable to this position? If yes, please list them.

04

How would you describe your experience working as an Operating Engineer or maintenance technician in a medium to large commercial facility, including the types of systems and responsibilities you've managed?

05

What are the top three tools, resources, or practices you use to stay organized, follow established procedures and directions, and ensure tasks are completed on time as assigned?

06

How would you describe your approach to workplace safety and your role in maintaining a safe work environment?

07

How do you define and demonstrate outstanding customer service when supporting a wide range of building users, including staff, performers, contractors, and the public?

Required Question

Employer Oregon Metro

Address 600 NE Grand Ave

Portland, Oregon, 97232

Phone 503-797-1570

Website http://www.oregonmetro.gov