Associate Chemical Engineer Jobs in Portland, OR

Salary: $43.66 - $60.04 Hourly
Location : Clean Water Services Central, OR
Job Type: Temporary
Job Number: 26-49
Department: Water & Engineering Technology
Program: Research & Innovation
Opening Date: 07/30/2026
Closing Date: 8/17/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
Max Number of Applicants: 100
The Position
The Water Engineering & Technology department is seeking a Temporary Associate Engineer - Modeling. This position performs various engineering-related duties requiring knowledge of engineering planning, design, and construction of wastewater treatment and conveyance infrastructure, under the direction of a Professional Engineer.
Additional Information:

• Temporary position, up to 1 year.
• Full-time, up to 40 hours per week.
• Any offer of employment will be conditional based on the successful completion of references, a driving record review, and criminal background check.

Candidates who are selected to move forward in the recruitment process will be invited to self-schedule their interview. Please be sure to check your email for status updates.
This posting will close after 100 applications have been received. If a candidate is not selected, the posting will be reopened. To ensure consideration in the initial review, please submit your application as early as possible.
Essential Functions
(This section outlines the essential functions assigned to the position. The essential functions listed below are not intended to include all duties that may be assigned to this classification. Clean Water Services (CWS) may modify, add, or remove duties or functions at its discretion.)

1. Supports engineering design projects through the preparation and review of engineering plans and drawings, process diagrams, standard details, and specifications. Coordinates with staff in the preparation of drawings and inspects and evaluates existing site conditions.
2. Conducts system modeling and provides data entry and analysis.
3. Compiles, prepares, and maintains technical communications, project records, documents, reports, and databases.
4. Prepares engineering designs using applicable engineering calculations. Reviews engineering plans and ensures code compliance.
5. Provides engineering services to project managers during construction, including field inspections, submittal reviews, and responding to requests for information.
6. Supports engineers with presentations of technical data and results to technical review committees, CWS staff, and others. Remains current on technologies and best practices in civil, process mechanical, and environmental engineering and wastewater treatment and conveyance.
7. Works collaboratively with technical staff to understand plant operations and equipment; routinely visits all CWS facilities, including advanced wastewater treatment, conveyance, and pumping stations.
8. Serves as a liaison to consultants, contractors, and vendors and provides support as needed.
9. Maintains a positive, equitable, and inclusive workplace culture to improve the understanding and recognition of diversity, and foster multidisciplinary and integrated team approaches.
10. Drives a CWS or personal vehicle for work-related purposes.

Qualifications
KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Theory, principles, and practices of civil, environmental, or chemical engineering
• Hydraulics
• Principles of water and wastewater engineering
• Work planning, scheduling, and team organization
• Computer applications for engineering and project management
• Principles of project planning and management
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and codes

SKILL IN:

• Preparing presentations, reviewing engineering documents, evaluating engineering studies, problem-solving, identifying alternative solutions, data collection, analysis, and validation
• Understanding technical documentation, administrative reports, drawings, specifications, and construction contract documentation
• Interpreting and applying pertinent federal, state, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations
• Using computers and software applications to conduct research and produce documentation, spreadsheets, and presentations

ABILITY TO:

• Plan and organize assigned work to meet deadlines
• Understand and interpret specifications, maps, plans, and reports pertaining to complex design and construction projects
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work including a variety of CWS staff and other government officials, contractors, vendors, community groups, and the general public
• Operate effectively in a team environment
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, CERTIFICATIONS, AND/OR LICENSES
The following are the minimum qualifications for this position.
6 months of internships or project work in civil or environmental engineering with a focus on one or more of the following areas:

• Python programming
• GIS
• Hydraulic modeling

Bachelor's Degree in civil, chemical, or environmental engineering or related fields. Master's Degree preferred.
Engineer-in-Training (EIT Certification) within 12 months of hire.
Candidates must possess and maintain a valid state-issued driver's license.
Additional Information
Reasonable Accommodation:
Applicants who require reasonable accommodation in order to participate in any phase of the application process should contact Human Resources at 503.681.3600 or TDD 503.681.3601.
Equal Employment Opportunity:
Clean Water Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, national origin, marital status, age, uniformed service, sexual orientation or disability in the admission or access to the recruitment process or any aspect of employment.
Application Review and Certification Statement:
Applicants will be reviewed and evaluated based on qualifications including relevant skills, education, training, and work history. Supplemental materials including resumes, cover letters, and other attachments will not be considered unless specifically requested as part of the application process. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that their application materials are detailed, accurate, clearly demonstrate how they meet the minimum and, if applicable, special qualifications for the position, and are complete at the time the application is submitted. Incomplete or inaccurate applications may be removed from further consideration or may result in disqualification from the application or selection process, rescinding an offer of employment, or termination of employment if discovered after hire. Application materials will be used to determine salary placement in accordance with applicable state and federal law, CWS Human Resources policies and guidelines, and collective bargaining agreements, upon extension of a job offer. Unless requested as part of the application process, supplemental materials provided will not be considered.
By submitting your application, and any supplemental materials specifically requested by CWS as part of the application process, you are certifying the information you have provided is true, accurate and complete and have read and understand the above statement.
Clean Water Services offers eligible employees the opportunity to choose benefits and plans that meet both individual and family needs. In addition to a competitive salary, Clean Water Services offers employees a comprehensive benefit packet that includes health coverage, health reimbursement account, life and accidental death insurance, flexible spending account, Oregon Public Employees Retirement Plan (PERS/OPSRP), deferred compensation, paid vacation, holidays and sick leave, tuition reimbursement, goal sharing bonus, and more. Further information for full-time regular non-represented employees can be found
Depending on hours worked and duration of the position, temporary employees may qualify for an offer of medical benefits, deferred compensation, and employee discounts. Temporary employees are eligible for sick leave at the rate of .0334 per hour worked upon beginning employment and may carry over up to 40 hours into the next calendar year.
01
Do you have 6 months of internships or project work in civil or environmental engineering with a focus on one of more of the following areas:

• Python programming
• GIS
• Hydraulic modeling

Please explain how you meet this requirement, ensuring you include the organizations where you gained this experience. This supplemental information must match the work assignments and dates of employment in your application.
02
Do you possess a Bachelor's Degree or higher in civil, chemical, or environmental engineering or related fields?
Please explain how you meet this requirement, ensuring this supplemental information matches the education you have listed in your application including type of degree, major/minor and name of the institution the degree was earned from.
03
Please select all licenses you currently possess.
Please ensure this supplemental information matches the licenses and certifications you have listed in your application.

• Valid state-issued Driver's License
• Engineer-in-Training (EIT Certification)

Required Question