Working for Environmental Services

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Learn more about careers at Environmental Services, why it’s a great place to work, and how to apply for job opportunities.
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Environmental Services works to protect public health, water quality, and the environment. We serve Portland by providing sewer and stormwater collection and treatment services. We help improve and protect our rivers and streams to benefit people, wildlife, and fish.  

Skilled professionals from a variety of backgrounds work at Environmental Services. We hire accountants, biologists, engineers, chemists, technicians, and more.

Open Opportunities

New job opportunities with Environmental Services are posted on Mondays. We are currently accepting applications for the following positions: 

Student Internships

How to Apply

Interested applicants must apply online. Find more information about the City of Portland’s recruitment process and virtual classes about how to apply.

Benefits

To learn more about the benefits offered to City of Portland employees, visit the City’s human resources page on benefit offerings

Equity in Our Workplace and Our Services to the Community

Environmental Services builds and nurtures a safe and inclusive environment for all employees. We want each employee to feel comfortable bringing their true self to work.  

We provide services to benefit all Portlanders. We know that Black, Indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC) have experienced historical inequities. We are working to correct those imbalances and put an end to systemic racism.  

Our employee-led Committee for Equity and Diversity (CED) recently completed the development of the bureau’s Equity Plan. The committee helps promote and foster an inclusive culture where the Bureau’s work does not burden or benefit one group over another. The committee also works to advance city and Environmental Services equity goals and strategies. While the CED helps provide structure and leadership in our equity efforts, every Environmental Services employee must help ensure that our workplace culture and service delivery is equitable. Equity is the “north star” that should guide how we treat each other and how we serve our community.

A Mission-Driven Organization

Environmental Services is the city’s sewer and stormwater utility. We are responsible for water quality in our local rivers and streams. We help protect and restore thousands of acres of natural areas and hundreds of miles of urban waterways. We enhance watershed health through urban tree planting. We work to protect and recover endangered species in Portland. Our employees are public servants dedicated to our mission and working for clean rivers.

Leadership and Professional Development

Great ideas can come from any employee across the organization. We encourage employees to learn, grow, and achieve their career goals at Environmental Services. We provide professional skills training in a wide range of topics. Our job share program allows employees to try out new roles in the organization. Many employees have opportunities to serve on committees and teams for special projects. Environmental Services' work culture supports continuous improvement, problem solving, innovation, and achievement.

A Healthy Workforce

Environmental Services strives to be a “people-centered” workplace. This means that we care about the health and well-being of our employees as human beings, and we work hard to support our employees. Employees can reach out to PEER volunteers: fellow employees trained to listen with empathy; provide a neutral, safe, respectful and confidential sounding board; and connect employees with helpful resources. City employees have access to the Employee Assistance Program, which helps connect them to counseling, legal, financial, and other support services. Find more about City employee benefits.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement

Workplaces across Portland, the United States and the world are making tough decisions about how to protect their employees and community from COVID-19. We, too, find ourselves in the middle of this complex situation at the City of Portland.  We are committed to ensuring the health and safety for our employees and our community. As a part of this commitment, all City employees are required to be fully vaccinated, effective October 18, 2021. Proof of full vaccination, or documentation of plans to become fully vaccinated (e.g., partially vaccinated however too soon for second dose, etc.) will be required prior to being hired by the City of Portland. The required vaccination is a minimum qualification requirement to be hired by the City of Portland. We understand that some are unable to be vaccinated for a variety of reasons, including medical and religious/spiritual reasons. Should you be offered employment with the City of Portland, there is an exception process that provides for an exception and reasonable accommodation based on a qualified medical condition or religious/spiritual reason.  Exception Request Process for COVID-19 vaccine 

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