Operating Engineer II Portland Expo Center

Operating Engineer II

Hello, we're Metro! Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work we do every day benefits the people who live here today and for generations to come.

The Portland Expo Center (Expo) is seeking an experienced Operating Engineer to join our Facilities team and help support one of the Pacific Northwest's most versatile event venues. In this role, you will operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair critical building systems while ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable facility operations.

Working closely with facility staff, event teams, contractors, vendors, and event organizers, you will play a key role in supporting trade shows, conventions, community events, sporting events, and other large-scale gatherings. Responsibilities include maintaining HVAC, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and control systems, coordinating temporary event utility services, and supporting facility readiness for a diverse range of events.

This position is primarily based at the Portland Expo Center and may provide support to the Oregon Convention Center as needed.

If you are a skilled facilities professional who enjoys solving complex technical challenges, supporting high-profile events, and delivering exceptional customer service in a dynamic environment, we encourage you to apply.

As the Operating Engineer II, you will:

• Operate, monitor, maintain, and repair HVAC, refrigeration, plumbing, and mechanical systems, including boilers, chillers, air handling units, pumps, and related equipment.
• Utilize the Building Automation System (BAS) to monitor performance, troubleshoot issues, manage schedules, and optimize building operations.
• Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair commercial kitchen equipment, plumbing systems, fixtures, piping, and backflow prevention devices.
• Maintain and repair facility support equipment, including forklifts, floor scrubbers, sweepers, utility carts, and other rolling stock.
• Perform preventive and corrective maintenance activities in accordance with established schedules, procedures, safety standards, and work orders.
• Utilize the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) to document work, manage preventive maintenance programs, and track facility assets.
• Assist with inventory management of maintenance supplies, tools, equipment, and replacement parts.
• Respond to facility issues, communicate operational needs and project updates, and coordinate effectively with Facilities leadership, contractors, and service providers.
• Install, maintain, and support temporary event utility services, including compressed air, domestic water, and natural gas connections.

• Support event operations by ensuring facility systems are safe, reliable, and responsive to the needs of exhibitors, event organizers, and guests.

Attributes for Success

• Strong knowledge of HVAC/R systems, including boilers, chillers, cooling towers, refrigeration equipment, and associated controls.
• Skilled in diagnosing, troubleshooting, repairing, and optimizing mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and control systems.
• Proficient with Building Automation Systems (BAS), lighting controls, and Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS).
• Knowledge of preventive and predictive maintenance practices, equipment reliability, and energy-efficient building operations.
• Ability to maintain and repair pumps, fans, compressors, motor-driven equipment, and other facility systems.
• Experience with brazing, welding, fabrication, and equipment modifications.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, schematics, control drawings, technical manuals, and equipment specifications.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple assignments in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to workplace safety, regulatory compliance, and emergency response procedures.
• Excellent communication, customer service, teamwork, and documentation skills

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

At Metro, we strive to cultivate diversity, advance equity, and practice inclusion in all of its work. This means attracting and empowering a workforce that is inclusive of a broad range of human qualities. Workplace diversity is both a moral imperative and a business strength, essential to providing quality support and services to our region. Metro's goal is to hire, develop and retain highly skilled and talented individuals across all departments and programs who best reflect the diversity of our community.

Learn more about how Metro is advancing diversity

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 in your application materials on how your background is relevant.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Two(2) years of experience as an operating engineer in a large public events facility, commercial, industrial, institutional, hospitality, healthcare, public assembly, or similar facility or,
• Any combination of education, training, and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of this position.

Required:

• Oregon Limited Maintenance Electrician (LME) License or higher.
• Valid driver's license.

Typical Schedule: This full-time position is based on a 40-hour workweek. The facility operates seven days a week from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and schedules will be assigned within those hours based on facility, event, and operational needs. Shifts may include days, evenings, weekends, and holidays. Team members may also participate in on-call and emergency response coverage as needed. Additionally, this role may also participate in on-call and emergency response coverage to help maintain critical facility systems and support successful event operations. We value work-life balance and a team-first culture, providing scheduling visibility whenever possible and working together to ensure coverage needs are met while supporting employee well-being.

Working Conditions : You'll work throughout the Portland Expo Center in a variety of indoor and outdoor environments, supporting events and facility operations in a fast-paced setting with changing priorities. This active role requires frequent walking, standing, climbing, bending, and lifting up to 40 pounds, as well as working at heights and in confined spaces. Employees may be exposed to noise, dust, varying weather conditions, and mechanical or electrical equipment, making a commitment to safety and proper PPE use essential.

If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply

If you were terminated for cause during any employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, you may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.

Preferred qualifications

You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider them when identifying the most qualified candidates. 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.

• Oregon Health Authority Backflow Assembly Tester Certification.
• EPA Section 608 Universal Technician Certification.
• ORACCA Brazing Certification.
• Building Operator Certification (Level I or II).
• Experience supporting convention centers, event venues, public assembly facilities, hospitality facilities, healthcare facilities, or other large, high-occupancy buildings.
• Experience supporting trade shows, exhibitions, conventions, concerts, sporting events, or similar customer-focused operations.

SCREENING AND EVALUATION

The application packet: The application packet consists of the following required documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment.

• A complete online application
• Responses to supplemental questions

The selection process: We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows. The selection process is subject to change.

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
• Consideration of top candidates/interviews
• Testing/assessments (if applicable)
• Reference check
• Driving records check for finalist candidate

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND REPRESENTATION

The starting pay rate for this position is $44.69 per hour. Upon successful completion of the six-month probationary period, the pay rate will increase to $46.83 per hour.

This position is eligible for overtime and is represented