Urban Flood Safety & Water Quality District

Compensation

Full Description

This position is open from Monday, September 22, until filled. Applications must be received by 11:59 pm on Sunday, October 5, 2025, to be considered for the first review. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete. The UFSWQD is seeking a motivated Engineering Associate to join our small, collaborative team dedicated to flood safety and infrastructure resilience. This role offers a dynamic mix of office and field work, supporting a variety of engineering projects, planning efforts, and operations and maintenance activities. Under the guidance of a licensed Professional Engineer, the Engineering Associate will contribute to system and agency improvements, special projects, and development review processes that protect vital assets across the District. Ideal candidates will bring a strong foundation in engineering principles and a willingness to engage in both routine and complex tasks - from stormwater modeling and pump station upgrades to coordinating with local agencies and contractors. This position provides a unique opportunity to grow professionally while helping shape the future of flood safety in our region. Position Summary An Engineering Associate at the UFSWQD provides engineering support for projects, planning activities, operations & maintenance needs, and other tasks as assigned. As a member of the engineering team, the position helps develop collaborative solutions for system improvements, agency improvements, and special projects. The UFSWQD is a small agency, such that the day-to-day work associated with this position will range from desktop to field tasks. The position requires moderate supervision and reports to a Senior Engineer. Project assignments vary in size and complexity. Under supervision and direction from a licensed Professional Engineer, the Engineering Associate performs routine to intermediate engineering planning, design, and construction project management and tasks related to pipes and open channel conveyances, pump station improvements, stormwater modeling and analysis, and geotechnical or other technical support related to the District’s internal drainage or levee systems. The Engineering Associate will also provide development review support and coordinate with local agencies, developers, and contractors to mitigate potential impacts to District assets. District staff interact with local, state, and national elected officials and agency leadership periodically to help advance our work. It Is The Duty Of All Employees To • Perform other non-essential duties as assigned; • Strive to achieve the Mission, Vision, and Values of the organization; • Perform the duties assigned during an emergency; • Complete required Incident Command System training within 90 days of hire; • Remain within a 10-hour response time during the District’s Partial Emergency Activation or as specified by the Executive Director; • Work well with community and be a strong ambassador for UFSWQD; Exemplify the workplace safety culture. • Create a culture that promotes respect, inclusion, and equity for the diversity of people in our workforce and community. Key Responsibilities Specifically, the Engineering Associate: • Performs project management duties as assigned, including assisting with the oversight of work of consultants and contractors, preparing and reviewing engineering plans, reports, analyses, and recommendations, preparing cost estimates, driving to and from work sites using District vehicles; serving as liaison between the District, consultants and contractors, monitoring progress of work, keeping project records, recording and communicating issues and changes as they occur, and making timely reports. • Inspects projects, equipment installations, and construction work in progress to ensure compliance with contractual specifications and all applicable codes and statutes. • Develops project concepts using information gathered through inspections, investigation, research, planning and operational recommendations; performs necessary computations and cost/benefit analyses; makes recommendations on design criteria; produces preliminary and final designs after approval; makes modifications in design if needed. • Leads, evaluates, and completes development review proposals in a timely manner. • Operates computers to research, input, obtain, and analyze information and data; prepares reports; maintains data files; runs prepared programs, modifies existing programs as needed for specific applications and assists in writing new programs; helps develop and run computer modeling and information system programs. • Coordinates and integrates multi-phase design, development, and construction projects with various regional, state or federal jurisdictions, as well as with special-interest groups, neighborhood associations, other stakeholders and the public. • Coordinate with District operations & maintenance staff regarding project management, construction support, and general engineering assistance. Knowledge Of • Civil engineering theory and practices related to hydrology, hydraulics, geotechnical, and/or environmental specialties. • Theory, principles, and practices of either civil, structural, electrical, mechanical, chemical or traffic engineering design and project management. • Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and codes pertinent to area of specialty. • Computer use, applications, languages, and programming techniques pertaining to the work. Skill & Ability To • Prepare, read, and interpret various kinds of maps, architectural and engineering drawings, construction plans, and other technical materials and documents. • Communicate effectively in writing and orally with other District staff and other District partners (e.g. local cities, Port of Portland, US Army Corps of Engineers, etc.). • Speak in front of groups; cope with dissent and conflict. • Perform detailed work thoroughly, neatly, punctually, accurately, and efficiently. • Carry up to 50 pounds over uneven and sloped terrain. Education, Experience, And Special Requirements • Minimum 1-2 years of directly related engineering experience. • Bachelor's degree from an American Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) accredited college or university with major course work in civil engineering or a related field. • Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certificate by passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination. • Valid state driver’s license Preferred Education, Skills & Qualifications • Experience working in a public agency. • Training or experience with emergency response protocols (e.g., Incident Command System). • Formal contracting and project management processes. • Familiarity with local, state, and federal laws related to floodplain management and/or levee protection. • Use of specialized drafting, engineering, surveying, or electronic tools and equipment. • Familiar with Microsoft Windows Applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project). Working Environment: Most UFSWQD office staff work a primarily hybrid schedule, with occasional time in the office as determined by the Division Manager. UFSWQD reserves the right to change the remote work policy. Hours may vary but should fall between 7:00 am and 5:00 pm. There are projects that may require time in the field. Employees are required to utilize the appropriate PPE for their time in the field. During flood fighting season, October 15th – May 15th, employees may be asked to perform levee and drainage inspections or serve in some capacity within the district’s Incident Management Team during emergencies. Accommodation: Reasonable accommodation is available to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this process. Assistance will be gladly provided upon request for any applicant with sensory or non-sensory disabilities. Please contact Tracy Olmedo at (503) 281-5675 or hiring@urbanfloodsafetyor.gov for any questions on accessibility or accommodation during the hiring process Veterans’ Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for Veterans’ Preference when applying for UFSWQD positions. If you are a veteran and would like to request Veterans’ Preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents (Copy of the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD Form 214 or 215; Disabled Veterans must also submit a copy of their Veteran’s Disability Preference Letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) with your application submittal in the attachments section. Documentation must be received by the closing date and time of this recruitment for the applicant to receive Veterans’ Preference. 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, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made, or any other status protected by law. This position is not represented.