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

Operating Engineer IIPortland'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. 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. 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.