Operating Engineer II - Portland'5 Centers for the Arts

Oregon Metro•Portland'5 Centers for the Arts, OR

22d

About The Position

Portland’5 Centers for the Arts, part of Metro, is seeking a customer service-focused Operating Engineer II to support the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of its performing arts and event facilities. The position maintains, troubleshoots, inspects, monitors, and repairs complex commercial building systems, with a primary focus on HVAC controls and electrical work performed under a Limited Maintenance Electrician (LME) license. The role also supports plumbing, fire and life safety systems, network infrastructure, refrigeration equipment, door and lock hardware, and other critical building infrastructure. The engineer works independently and collaboratively with staff, contractors, and stakeholders to keep facilities operational for performances, events, and public activities. The role calls for sound troubleshooting, customer service, professional communication, coordination, and accurate documentation. The position uses email, SharePoint, mobile communications, two-way radios, Building Automation Systems, and a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS). This is a regular full-time position with an established schedule and participation in a rotating monthly on-call program. As operational needs require, the employee may respond to emergencies and provide coverage outside normal business hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. The position may also serve as a journeyman in a future apprenticeship program if assigned. Work is performed primarily in mechanical and facility environments, with some office work and local travel. The role is approximately 80% indoors and 20% outdoors and may involve temperature extremes, vibration, moving machinery, low-light conditions, construction areas, heights, confined or restricted spaces, chemicals, and hazards typical of building trades work. The work is strenuous and generally requires daily physical exertion, including frequent walking, standing, reaching, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, climbing stairs or tall ladders, crawling in restricted areas, repetitive movement, and pushing, pulling, carrying, or lifting materials and equipment up to 50 pounds. Employees use task-appropriate PPE and trade tools, testing devices, computers, radios, access equipment, and occasionally rented heavy machinery.

Requirements

At least two years of experience as an operating engineer in a large public events facility, commercial, industrial, institutional, hospitality, healthcare, public assembly, or similar facility; alternatively, a combination of education, training, and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties.
Oregon Limited Maintenance Electrician (LME) License or higher.
Valid driver’s license.
Ability to obtain and maintain CPR and First Aid certification.
Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays when required and respond to emergencies outside normal work hours as assigned.
Ability to perform the essential physical duties of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, and meet applicable background and driving-record screening requirements.
Strong troubleshooting skills, sound technical judgment, and a methodical approach to resolving complex facility issues.
Ability to read and interpret schematics, one-line diagrams, and mechanical, electrical, fire protection, and architectural drawings, and to research and reference applicable building, electrical, mechanical, and life-safety codes.
Excellent attendance, punctuality, reliability, ability to work independently with limited supervision, and ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
Professional communication, customer service, coordination, and detailed work-order and report-writing skills.
Commitment to OSHA and industry safety practices, PPE, lockout/tagout, hazard identification and mitigation, and clean, organized work areas.
Proficiency with email, SharePoint, mobile communications, two-way radios, Building Automation Systems, and a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS).

Nice To Haves

OSHA 10-hour or 30-hour certification.
Universal CFC/EPA certification or HVAC trade-school certification.
Niagara or other building automation system training.
Mobile elevated work platform, scaffolding, forklift, or heavy-equipment authorization.
Fall-protection training.
Brazing or welding certification and experience using a hot-work program.
Lock technician or locksmith training.
Network infrastructure or security certification, or working knowledge of TCP/IP networking hardware and physical infrastructure.
Commercial facility maintenance or mechanical experience gained through military service.

Responsibilities

Schedule, adjust, monitor, and operate automated HVAC and lighting control systems according to event schedules, client requests, staff or patron feedback, and weather conditions.
Inspect, operate, troubleshoot, and perform preventive maintenance on HVAC and related equipment, including air-handling units, boilers, heating systems, chillers, cooling towers, pumps, fans, actuators, controls, programmable logic controllers, and BACnet-based building automation systems.
Troubleshoot, maintain, replace, and repair electrical systems as permitted by the employee’s license; reference applicable electrical code; ensure contractor permitting documentation is completed; and verify lockout/tagout and other electrical safety practices.
Maintain and troubleshoot piping, valves, hydronic distribution, drainage, plumbing fixtures, and potable and non-potable water systems.
Assist with inspection, maintenance, troubleshooting, and contractor coordination for fire alarms, sprinklers, suppression systems, and related equipment.
Schedule and support in-house and contracted maintenance, inspections, and repairs; prepare work areas and facility access; communicate status; verify the quality, safety, and completeness of completed work; and provide detailed follow-up to the supervisor about completion and process.
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.
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.
Create and maintain detailed work orders, maintenance records, and reports; review system analytics and performance data; and use 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, keeping stakeholders informed about project status and maintenance activities.
Identify opportunities to improve processes, efficiency, and service delivery, and communicate recommendations and feedback professionally and constructively.
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.
If assigned, serve as a journeyman in a future apprenticeship program.
Apply safety standards, use appropriate PPE, perform lockout/tagout procedures and job hazard analyses, identify and mitigate hazards, and report hazards promptly.
Consult applicable codes, regulations, manufacturer documentation, and technical references; read and interpret schematics, one-line diagrams, and mechanical, electrical, fire protection, and architectural drawings.
Manage competing priorities, work independently with limited supervision, follow through on commitments, meet deadlines, communicate progress, and promptly identify obstacles, risks, or resource needs.
Communicate respectfully with staff, performers, contractors, inspectors, clients, and the public; coordinate across trades and departments; and verify work is completed safely and to an appropriate standard.
Stay current in the field, learn unfamiliar systems or trades, use data and documentation, and contribute practical ideas that improve facility operations.