Multnomah County

Bridge Operator (On-Call)


Pay$21.26 - $25.99 / hour
LocationPortland/Oregon
Employment typePart-Time

This job is now closed

  • Job Description

      Req#: R-10545

      Current employees: Please apply through the employee portal to be considered for this opportunity.

      Pay Range:

      $21.26 - $25.99 Hourly

      Department:

      Department of Community Services (DCS)

      Job Type:

      On-Call

      Exemption Status:

      United States of America (Non-Exempt)

      Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):


      The Opportunity:

      *only apply for this position once*

      OVERVIEW:

      Note: This recruitment will be used to fill on-call (relief) positions. An on-call employee is an employee whose appointment is intermittent, irregular or is normally less than half-time, but may work up to 35 hours in a work week. On-call positions may be just the right fit for a person with minimal outside responsibilities and who may not want to always have the same routine. The ideal candidate for on-call work must be flexible in their scheduling and be willing to compromise.

      Portland is known for its beautiful and historic bridges. Multnomah County is responsible for maintaining and operating six (6) of the major downtown area bridges and 20 smaller bridges located within county boundaries. If you are someone who wants to make a difference in commuters' journeys and help maintain the livability of the community, this could be the job for you!

      The Department of Community Services’ Transportation division is looking for on-call Bridge Operators to work out of its Bridge Shop, located at 1403 SE Water Avenue, Portland, OR 97214 and on its four downtown movable bridges (Broadway, Burnside, Morrison, Hawthorne).

      Please Note: Bridges operate seven (7) days per week, and the work schedule for an on-call Bridge Operator is based on operational needs, includes day, graveyard, and/or swing shifts, and is intermittent, irregular, and less than half-time.

      To be a successful candidate, you are:

      • Able to work ALL shifts, including day, swing, and graveyard as needed 365 days a year

      • About every 3 months you will be the "call-out" operator which means for a 2 week period, 24 hours a day, you will need to respond within one hour for bridge openings.

      • Flexible and can report for a shift with as little as one hour notice.

      • Responsible and pride yourself on reliability and flexibility.

      • Committed to safety.

      • Able to pass drug tests (including marijuana). Operators are tested before hire and randomly throughout the year.

      This position's primary task is opening and closing four (4) draw span bridges as needed for maintenance and river vessels. You must be:

      • Comfortable with heights, climbing steep stairs, working outside, and working alone in an isolated environment.

      • Very observant and can quickly respond to visual and sound signals.

      • Able to accurately record all activity during your shift in digital logs.

      • Have excellent communication skills and can interact with the public and your co-workers on official radio channels and on the telephone.

      • Able to type and have basic computer literacy, including the use of email, google docs and working with electronic forms.

      • Able to multitask which includes answering the phones, listening to the marine radio, communicating with others when necessary and watching the roadway.

      In this role, you will:

      • Open and close bridges : Operate computer controls to open and close bridges.. Ensure that vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists stop behind safety gates and signals before and during each bridge operation.

      • Monitor bridge and river traffic : Actively watch the bridge and river for issues.

      • Operate a two-way radio to listen for any problems on the river, communicate with vessels needing a bridge lift, and communicate with other personnel on the bridges.

      • Conduct bridge walks and inspections to monitor the condition of the bridges.

      • Complete work orders during every shift.

      • Clean and maintain the bridge operator's premises.

      • Respond to emergencies and accidents occurring on the bridges.

      • Observe and report unusual activity on or around the bridges.

      • Keep accurate records and reports about bridge operations, descriptions of vessels passing through, radio transmissions, and other data.

      Who we are:

      The Multnomah County Transportation division’s Bridge section manages and maintains six (6) Willamette River bridges: two (2) large fixed bridges (Sellwood and Sauvie Island) and four (4) large movable bridges (Hawthorne, Morrison, Burnside, and Broadway). Our primary goals are to provide safe transportation facilities for the public, to protect the public investment by preserving our historic bridges, and to help plan for the transportation needs of the community. Our bridges serve Willamette River users, pedestrians, cyclists, automobile commuters, buses, and commercial users.

      The Bridge section is part of the Department of Community Services (DCS). Our department's mission is to preserve harmony between natural and built environments, keep people and pets safe, and ensure every voice is heard through a diverse group of programs, including land use planning, transportation, animal services, elections, and business services.

      What We Can Offer You:

      DCS comprises unique and essential government services, including Elections, Land Use Planning, Animal Services and Transportation.

      The common mission of these diverse lines of business is articulated in this very simple statement: Inclusive community. Accessible services. So, with us, you will be challenged, you will be encouraged to excel, you will be given the opportunity to build a rewarding career. You will become a part of a strong organization dedicated to providing outstanding services to the community.

      At Multnomah County we are committed to maintaining an effective, respectful and inclusive workplace. We value collaborative problem solving and strive for continuous improvement. We strongly believe in workforce equity, diversity and inclusion. Visit our Workforce Equity Strategies Plan (WESP ) to see where Multnomah County is headed with these values.


      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 about how your background is relevant. For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page .

      Minimum Qualifications/Transferable Skills*:

      • Equivalent to the completion of twelfth grade; AND

      • A valid driver license; AND

      • Must be able to work ALL shifts, including day, swing, and graveyard as needed; AND

      • Available to report to bridges 24 hours a day during a two week call out rotation and must respond within one hour and may work 2-4 hrs for a bridge opening; AND

      • Must be flexible and can report for a shift with as little as one hour notice; AND

      • Must be able to walk long distances, climb up to 5 flights of stairs in one go, be comfortable with walking on metal grating where moving traffic is visible down below, and be comfortable with heights; AND

      • Able to pass an initial and ongoing random drug tests, including for marijuana


      Preferred Qualifications/Transferable Skills*:

      You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider some or all of the following when identifying the most qualified candidates. Please clearly explain on your application how you meet any of the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills.

      • Experience operating bridges.

      • Experience using a two-way radio.

      • Ability to react and take appropriate action in cases of emergency.

      • Experience and ability to work cooperatively with staff, peers, supervisors, and the public, often in stressful situations.

      • Ability to understand and follow verbal and written instructions.

      • Ability to prepare and maintain clear and concise records and reports of bridge operations and incidents.

      • Ability to type and operate a desktop or laptop computer, including the use of email, websites, and online forms.

      • Experience with using applications within Google Docs.


      *Transferable skills: Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience (including the military) or life experience that are relevant for this position. Be sure to describe any transferable skills on your application and clearly explain how they apply to this position.

      SCREENING AND EVALUATION:

      The Application Packet:

      Please be sure to provide all the materials below in your application submission:

      Online application: Explain all related experience (paid or unpaid) and training in the education and work experience sections of the application.

      Attach a resume (optional): Please indicate how you meet the required minimum qualifications. Attach the PDF document to the on-line application. Be sure to explain in detail, including dates, all related work experience, paid or unpaid.

      A Cover Letter (optional): This should expand on your resume, address why you are interested in this position and demonstrate how your experience and skill set align with the minimum and preferred qualifications listed.

      Note: The application, resume, and cover letter should clearly demonstrate your work experience/skills and how they relate to the descriptions provided in the ‘Overview’ and ‘To Qualify’ sections of this job posting. Please be thorough, as these materials will be used to determine your eligibility for an interview.

      Internal candidates: After you have applied, you will receive the Oregon Veteran Preference Questionnaire in your Workday inbox. Your application as an internal candidate is not complete until you fill out and submit the Oregon Veteran Preference Questionnaire.

      The Selection Process:

      For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page . We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows:

      • Initial review of minimum qualifications

      • Evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates

      • Consideration of top candidates, which may include phone interviews, panel interviews, and/or additional testing

      • Professional reference checks

      • Drug test

      Note: Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.

      ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

      Type of Position: This hourly, on-call position is eligible for overtime.

      Schedule: Bridges operate seven (7) days per week, and shifts include day, graveyard, and/or swing shifts. The work schedule for an on-call Bridge Operator is based on operational needs and is intermittent, irregular, and less than half-time.

      Location: Bridge Shop, 1403 SE Water Avenue, Portland, OR 97214, and any of the county operated and maintained bridges.


      Questions?

      Eric Garcia, Recruiter

      Department of Community Service

      ericga@multco.us

      Disclaimer: This announcement is intended as a general descriptive recruitment guide and is subject to change. It does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.


      Diversity and Inclusion: At Multnomah County, we don't just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees.

      We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran or protected veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. The EEO Know Your Rights poster is available for your reference. Multnomah County is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We request priority protected veteran referrals.

      Veterans’ Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans’ preference. Review our veterans’ preference page for details about eligibility and how to apply.

      Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act: We gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter below in advance to request assistance. Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may contact the recruiter through the Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing 711.

      Questions?

      Recruiter:

      Eric Garcia

      Email:

      ericga@multco.us

      Phone:

      +1 (503) 9884532

      Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.

      Disclaimer: This announcement is intended as a general descriptive recruitment guide and is subject to change. It does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

      Job Profile:

      6059 - Bridge Operator
  • About the company

      Multnomah County /mʌltˈnoʊmə/ is one of 36 counties in the US state of Oregon.