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Temporary Civil Engineer Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Civil Engineer

Portland, OR · On-site +1

$106K - $140K/yr

Summary May be filled by Temporary or Term appointment. Placement may be made permanent without further competition. About the Position: As a Civil Engineer in the Design Section, you will perform a ...

May be filled by Temporary or Term appointment. Placement may be made permanent without further competition. About the Position: As a Civil Engineer in the Design Section, you will perform a wide ...

Structural Engineer

Portland, OR · On-site

$116K - $133K/yr

Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering (with an emphasis in Structural Engineering). • ... For temporary assignments lasting 13 weeks or longer, AllSTEM Connections is pleased to offer major ...

As part of our team, you will deliver engineering solutions for temporary works and design-build ... Development project drawings using AutoCAD, Civil 3D, and Revit. * Apply strong problem-solving and ...

Water Resources Engineer

Beaverton, OR · On-site

$48.07 - $57.69/hr

Essential Skills * Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Water Resources Engineering ... If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: * Medical ...

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Showing results 1-20

Temporary Civil Engineer information

See Portland, OR salary details

$40.3K

$87.7K

$130.4K

How much do temporary civil engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for temporary civil engineer in Portland, OR is $87,676.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $71,600.00 and $104,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a temporary civil engineer?

Temporary civil engineers are professionals hired on a short-term basis to work on civil engineering projects, such as construction, infrastructure, or public works. Their contracts typically last for the duration of a specific project or a set period, filling gaps in staffing or providing specialized expertise. Temporary civil engineers perform duties similar to permanent staff, including designing, planning, and overseeing construction activities, but their employment is limited in scope and time. This arrangement allows companies to efficiently manage workloads and project demands without committing to long-term employment.

What does a temporary civil engineer do?

As a temporary civil engineer, you complete all of the responsibilities of a civil engineer, except you are under contract for an individual project. Your duties may involve designing or evaluating a building plan, supervising construction, providing maintenance for infrastructure systems, obtaining permits, identifying cost estimates, using design software, and analyzing data before and during the building process. You may also conduct fieldwork to inspect concerns and recommend plan revisions to supervisors. You can work for private or public businesses and companies, or perform freelance services. Some industries you may work in include construction, structural, geotechnical, and transportation engineering.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a temporary civil engineer?

To thrive as a Temporary Civil Engineer, you need a solid understanding of civil engineering principles, a relevant engineering degree, and often a professional engineering (PE) license. Familiarity with industry-standard software like AutoCAD, Civil 3D, and project management tools is typically required. Strong problem-solving, communication, and adaptability are important soft skills for working within project teams and adjusting to new environments. These skills and qualifications are essential for ensuring project quality, safety, and timely completion in short-term or contract-based roles.

What are some common challenges faced by temporary civil engineers, and how can they effectively integrate into new project teams?

Temporary civil engineers often face the challenge of quickly adapting to new project environments and team dynamics. Since assignments can vary in duration and scope, it's important to rapidly familiarize yourself with project documentation, site requirements, and company protocols. Building strong communication with permanent staff and proactively seeking clarification on expectations helps ensure seamless collaboration. Demonstrating flexibility and a willingness to learn can also foster trust and make the transition smoother.

What is the difference between Temporary Civil Engineer vs Civil Engineering Technician?

AspectTemporary Civil EngineerCivil Engineering Technician
CredentialsBachelor's degree in civil engineering; may require engineering licenseAssociate's degree or diploma in civil engineering technology
Work EnvironmentConstruction sites, engineering firms, project managementDesign offices, construction sites, field surveys
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by engineering firms and construction companies for project-based rolesEmployed by engineering firms, government agencies, and contractors for technical support

The main difference is that Temporary Civil Engineers typically hold a bachelor's degree and may be licensed, focusing on project management and design, while Civil Engineering Technicians usually have an associate degree and support engineering projects through technical tasks. Both roles are essential in construction and engineering projects but differ in responsibilities and qualifications.

Can you work remotely as a temporary civil engineer?

Temporary civil engineers typically work on-site at construction sites, project locations, or engineering offices, but some roles may offer remote or hybrid work options depending on the employer and project requirements. Remote work is less common due to the hands-on nature of civil engineering tasks, site inspections, and collaboration with field teams, but certain design or planning tasks can sometimes be performed remotely with appropriate software tools. Certifications and experience in project management or design software can facilitate remote work opportunities in this field.

What are the most commonly searched types of Civil Engineer jobs in Portland, OR?

The most popular types of Civil Engineer jobs in Portland, OR are:

What are popular job titles related to Temporary Civil Engineer jobs in Portland, OR?

For Temporary Civil Engineer jobs in Portland, OR, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Temporary Civil Engineer job openings in Portland, OR as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $87,676 per year, or $42.2 per hour.

$106K - $140K/yr

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago


Job description

Summary
May be filled by Temporary or Term appointment. Placement may be made permanent without further competition.
About the Position: As a Civil Engineer in the Design Section, you will perform a wide range of engineering services in the investigation, planning, design, construction and operation & maintenance of flood damage reduction, fish passage, navigation and hydroelectric projects.
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Duties
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  • Conduct field investigations and write engineering reports.
  • Develop civil designs, construction plans and contract specifications, including design analysis, calculations, and quantity estimates.
  • Utilize CADD to perform civil design and create contract drawings.
  • Prepare Architect-Engineer statements of work, performance requirements and labor estimates.
  • Perform Design Quality Control and Assurance Reviews of in-house and A-E Civil designs.
  • Conduct inspections of projects under construction, review construction submittals, answer Contractor's RFIs (requests for information), and prepare as-constructed drawings.

Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  • Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.

Qualifications
Who May Apply: Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities.
  • Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
  • Military Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible
  • Reinstatement

In order to qualify, you must meet the Basic Requirement and the education and/or experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.
Basic Requirement for Civil Engineering:
A. Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET); OR (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.
OR
B. Combination of Education and Experience: College-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:
1. Professional registration or licensure - Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions.
2. Written Test - Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination, or any other written test required for professional registration, by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico.
3. Specified academic courses - Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in A above. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program.
4. Related curriculum - Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions.
In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:
GS-11 Qualifications:
Specialized Experience: Qualified applicants will describe in their resume at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade with utilizing Computer Automated Design system to develop design solutions for engineering products related to civil works structures. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-09).
OR
Education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering.
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages.
Time in Grade Requirement for the GS-11: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-09).
GS-12 Qualifications:
Specialized Experience:
Qualified applicants will describe in their resume at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade with conducting inspections, developing design solutions, developing construction contract drawings and specifications, and preparing statements of work for engineering products related to civil works structures. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-11).Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify.
For the GS-12, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience aloneno substitution of education for experience is permitted.
Time in Grade Requirement for the GS-12: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-11).
Education
FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
Additional information
  • Position may be filled by temporary appointment not to exceed one year, and may be extended to a maximum of three years.
  • Position may be filled as a Term Appointment not to exceed thirteen months. Term appointments may be extended beyond 6 six years.
  • Current permanent federal employees applying for a temporary or term position will be appointed/converted to a temporary or Term appointment with no statutory return rights back to their permanent position.
  • A Relocation Incentive may be considered.
  • A Recruitment Incentive may be considered.
  • Management may select at any of the grade levels announced.
  • Noncompetitive promotion potential to target grade.
  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
  • You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
  • This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
  • Direct deposit of pay is required.
  • Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
  • If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
  • This is a(n) Engineers and Scientists Career Field position.
  • Multiple positions may be filled.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/civrelo/Civilian-Moving-Expenses-Tax-Deduction/ for more information.
  • Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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About Army Corps of Engineers

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Industry

National security, national security and international affairs and public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Washington, DC, US