Permitting Jobs in Oregon (NOW HIRING)

Job Appointment: Full Time, Regular. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Alternate schedules may be available. Work Location: This position reports to 1900 SW 4th Ave. Union Representation: Non Represented. Starting Pay: The City of Portland follows the Oregon Equal Pay Act. Your salary is determined based on the experience listed in your resume that is directly related and equivalent to the position for which you are applying.

The City of Portland is seeking a highly skilled and collaborative professional to lead the Sewer Lateral Connection and Repair Permit Program. This position plays a critical role in managing a specialized permitting and inspection system for work occurring in the public right-of-way and public sewer easements. The successful candidate will ensure compliance with City construction standards, codes, administrative rules, and requirements tied to municipal wastewater and stormwater permits, helping reduce risk to the City and support essential public infrastructure.

This role is central to day-to-day operations and delivers timely customer service and coordination with bureau partners, intergovernmental agencies, design professionals, contractors, developers, and property owners.

• Program Management

  • Lead staff responsible for processing, reviewing, issuing, and providing customer service for Sewer Connection and Repair Permits.

  • Develop standard practices, policies, procedures, and quality assurance protocols for daily program operations.

  • Establish program goals, track performance, and identify areas for process improvement.

  • Collaborate with section and division leadership to integrate improvements into Citywide development review systems.

  • Manage program communications, including web content, forms, notices, and fee/budget updates in coordination with PP&D Communications.

• Development Customer Service & Technical Guidance

  • Provide technical assistance, coordination, and project guidance to contractors, designers, developers, property owners, ratepayers, and the general public

  • Serve as a subject-matter expert interpreting City codes, standards, and administrative rules.

  • Act as the initial contact for grievances and appeals, coordinating with bureau managers, directors, and public officials.

  • Develop and maintain customer service protocols for the work unit.

• Personnel Leadership & Supervision

  • Recruit, hire, train, schedule, assign, and supervise technical staff.

  • Oversee the public infrastructure permitting system for sewer connection and repair work in the right-of-way.

  • Foster an equitable, safe, positive work environment that reflects the City’s values and supports a multicultural workforce.

  • Ensure unit tasks are completed on schedule and within budget; establish performance expectations, guide professional development, and conduct performance evaluations.

  • Provide leadership, conflict resolution, and disciplinary recommendations in coordination with bureau HR and management.

• Inter- and Intra-Agency Coordination

  • Partner with BES, PBOT, PP&D, and other bureaus to maintain consistency in standards, permitting, inspection, enforcement, and communication.

  • Collaborate with state and county agencies, development partners, and the public to advance environmental protection and infrastructure reliability.

  • Represent BES in cross-bureau planning, development, and policy initiatives; serve as a technical resource to designers, tradespeople, elected officials, and City leadership.

  • Support annual reporting related to compliance (including NPDES MS4 Permit).

  • Coordinate response and assessment of deficient sewer work with City inspectors, engineers, and compliance teams.

• Representation & Leadership

  • Serve as BES’s internal representative for initiatives related to sewer permitting functions.

  • Participate in BES/PBOT/PP&D management teams to support the City’s mission, policies, strategies, and performance goals.

  • Provide program status updates and make recommendations for improvements to bureau leadership.

The ideal candidate will be an effective leader with strong technical expertise in sewer and stormwater permitting, experience overseeing complex public infrastructure processes, working experience with contractors, and a commitment to excellent customer service. They will bring strong communication skills, the ability to coordinate across multiple bureaus and agencies, and demonstrated success managing and developing staff in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

1. Experience managing or administering public infrastructure, development review, or permitting programs, including applying and interpreting codes, standards, regulations, and technical requirements.
2. Experience supervising or leading staff, including assigning work, setting performance expectations, providing coaching, and evaluating performance.
3. Experience providing technical guidance, customer service, and problem-solving support to contractors, designers, developers, property owners, or other stakeholders involved in public-sector permitting or construction.
4. Experience developing, improving, or implementing operational processes, procedures, or program performance measures.
5. Experience working collaboratively with internal and external partners such as other bureaus, agencies, utilities, or regulatory bodies.

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We’re committed to providing a fair, inclusive, and accessible hiring process. If you need assistance with your application or would like to request a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, pregnancy, or religious belief, please contact the recruiter listed below.

Questions? We're here to help! If you have questions about this recruitment or need assistance, contact:

Tamela Ressler, Senior Recruiter

Tamela.Ressler@portlandoregon.gov

Bureau of Human Resources