Bridge Operator (On-Call)

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

Pay Range:

$21.96 - $26.85 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):

November 07, 2025

The Opportunity:

*only apply for this position once*

OVERVIEW

Note:If you are interested, please apply without delay! This recruitment will close once we've reached 150 applications or the closing date, whichever comes first. 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.

Portland is known for its beautiful and historic bridges. Multnomah County is responsible for maintaining and operating six 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 8 hour 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
• Available to report to bridges 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with as little as one hour notice
• Reliable and flexible
• Able to pass a drug test (including for 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:

• Willing to answer your phone and accept a shift 24/7 unless you have requested time off
• Comfortable with heights, climbing steep stairs, working outside, and working alone in an isolated environment
• Very observant, aware of your surroundings 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
• Comfortable with heights, climbing steep stairs, working outside, and working alone on a bridge

In this role, you will:

• Open and close bridges using a computer touchscreen for vessels, tours and maintenance needs
• Monitor the bridge and river for incidents including vehicle crashes, debris, and distressed individuals
• Monitor and communicate on a two-way radio
• Clean and maintain the bridge operator's premises
• Respond to emergencies and accidents occurring on the bridges
• Keep accurate records and reports about bridge operations

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 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.

What We Can Offer You

On-Call Bridge Operators are eligible for the following:

• Paid sick leave
• Holiday pay
• Standby stipend
• Call out duty stipend
• Pay differential in lieu of benefits

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.

Minimum Qualifications/Transferable Skills*:

• Equivalent to the completion of twelfth grade.
• A valid driver license.
• Able to work ALL shifts (8 hrs), including day, swing, and graveyard as needed. On-call operators must be able accept most shifts offered to them.
• Available to report to bridges 24 hours a day. You must respond within one hour.
• Flexible and can report for an 8 hour shift with as little as one hour notice. You will cover 8 hour shifts for full-time operators who take leave.
• 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.
• 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 the materials below in your application submission:

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

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.

Equal Pay Law

Please be advised that the pay range listed for this position is intended to provide general guidance on the earning potential for the role. However, actual compensation will be determined in accordance with the Oregon Equal Pay Law and will take into account factors such as the candidate's relevant experience and education. Candidates should expect that initial offers will be made within the listed pay range and may not be at or near the top of the range.

Serving the Public, Even During Disasters

Everyday, Multnomah County staff work together to serve as a safety net for our communities. During a disaster, this safety net becomes even more critical. All County employees have a role in serving the public during inclement weather, natural disaster, or other types of community emergency response. During these emergency responses, while typically there begins with a call for volunteers, county employees may ultimately be reassigned from their current position to a role in the emergency response in order to support the critical needs presented by our communities. For more information, please visit theDisaster Service Worker Informationpage.

In accordance with Oregon Law, Multnomah County is not collecting school attendance dates in the initial application process; please do not include these dates in your resume, cover letter and other application materials.

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:

Marisa Messina

Email:

marisa.messina@multco.us

Phone:

+1 (971) 3139319

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