Operations & Maintenance Assistant (Summer Seasonal)

This position is open from Tuesday, April 1 until filled. Applications must be received by 11:59 pm on Monday, April 14, 2025 to be considered for the first review.

This position will perform various tasks, including pump station inspections, beaver dam and stormwater blockage removal, the operation of vehicles, including trucks and trailers, painting, and support on Operation & Maintenance (O&M) projects as needed. The assistant will also perform servicing and minor repairs to tools and equipment, perform manual labor tasks with small equipment and hand tools, perform building maintenance, and complete paperwork associated with different administrative tasks. Work is performed in partnership with the operations crew or independently. The position reports to the Operations Manager.

This position is a temporary seasonal hire for an estimated duration of up to 600 hours. The duration is estimated to be from approximately June to September.

Examples of Duties

Perform a variety of tasks including but not limited to the operation of vehicles and equipment, including truck & trailer, herbicide spray tanks, hydro-seeder; perform servicing and minor repairs to tools and equipment; perform manual labor tasks with small equipment and hand tools; perform building maintenance and application of general use herbicides; complete paperwork associated with different tasks. Work is performed as part of our O&M team and is supervised by a crew lead.

Specifically, this position will:

• Follow verbal and written instructions.
• Follow all safety standards and guidelines.
• Assist with routine maintenance in:
  • Levee systems
  • Pump station systems
  • Drainage ways
  • Facilities repairs
• Perform essential core tasks for system reliability.
• Conduct weekly pump station inspections which include:
  • Driving to and from and work sites as directed
  • Drainage way clearing and debris removal
  • Pump station and culvert grates clearing
  • Levee mowing and other vegetation removals
  • Weed-eating pump stations and levee areas.
  • Herbicide application

It is the duty of all employees to: Perform other 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.

Typical Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Safe work practices and the safety culture
• Working with power tools and equipment
• Reading, math, and communication (oral, listening, and written) skills equivalent to those obtained by completing high school or commensurate experience

Ability to:

• Work in a team environment
• Have a positive attitude in a work setting
• Operate simple power tools and hand tools
• Learn and apply safety techniques and standards
• Periodically bend, twist, and climb in and out of vehicles and equipment
• Climb and/or work on steep slopes
• Work with pesticides and other chemicals safely
• Work on water
• Work outdoors for extended periods under unfavorable conditions
• Lift 50 pounds and maneuver 100 pounds
• Utilize computers or other electronic devices to document work
• Drive to and from worksites as directed
• Pass pre-employment drug screening

Education, Experience, and Special Requirements:

• High school diploma or G.E.D
• Valid class “C” state driver’s license (valid driver’s license for 1 year or more) and clean driving record
• Requires 0-2 years of related experience.

Preferred skills & qualifications:

• Experience operating basic power tools.
• Knowledge of construction site safety awareness
• Experience operating a work boat with an outboard motor.

Supplemental Information

This position is given the opportunity to work in a unique area along the Columbia Slough. The campus is in Northeast Portland, OR where at times you don’t feel like you are working within the city limits at all. You will work along the entirety of the district extending from Smith & Bybee lakes to the West, and the Sandy River to the East. Daily activities take place in and around bodies of water, forested areas, and expose you to a large variety of wildlife. 

Work is performed in both field and standard office environment; could be exposed to hazards like needles, and biohazards that are prevalent in houseless camps. In addition to exposure to variable and/or extreme weather conditions, flowing water, water-borne pathogens found in floodwater, and off-road driving conditions; standing, walking, driving, hiking, digging, and you may be required to maneuver a 100 pounds and carry 50 pounds.

Position requires availability during evening and weekend periods as part of anon-call rotation, support of community events sponsored by UFSWQD, or flood-fighting situations. This is a safety-sensitive position which requires applicants to pass a pre-employment drug screening. Safety sensitive position is a job or position where the employee holding this position has the responsibility for their own safety and/or other people's safety.

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.