Operating Engineer II - Portland'Centers Arts

Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow.

Portland'5 Centers for the Arts is seeking an Operating Engineer II to support the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of its performing arts and event facilities. This customer service-focused position is responsible for the maintenance, troubleshooting, inspection, monitoring, and repair of complex commercial building systems. The primary focus of the role is HVAC controls and electrical work performed under a Limited Maintenance Electrician (LME) license, while also supporting plumbing, fire and life safety systems, network infrastructure, refrigeration equipment, door and lock hardware, and other critical building infrastructure.

Working both independently and collaboratively with staff, contractors, and stakeholders, the Operating Engineer II plays a key role in ensuring Portland'5 facilities remain operational and ready to support performances, events, and public activities.

The ideal candidate is a dependable, safety-conscious professional with strong troubleshooting skills, excellent customer service abilities, and the capacity to work effectively with limited supervision. This regular full-time position works an established schedule and participates in a rotating monthly on-call program with other engineering staff. The role may require responding to facility emergencies and providing coverage outside normal business hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as operational needs require.

Success in this position depends on clear and professional communication, strong coordination with contractors and stakeholders, and accurate documentation of work activities and system performance. Proficiency with communication and work management tools, including email, SharePoint, mobile communications, two-way radios, Building Automation Systems, and a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS), is essential.

• Operate facility controls. Schedule, adjust, monitor and operate automated HVAC and lighting control systems based on event schedules, client requests, staff or patron feedback and weather conditions.
• Maintain and troubleshoot HVAC systems. Inspect, operate, troubleshoot and perform preventive maintenance on air-handling units, boilers, heating systems, chillers, cooling towers, pumps, fans, actuators, controls, programmable logic controllers and BACnet-based building automation systems.
• Perform licensed electrical work. Troubleshoot, maintain, replace and repair electrical systems as permitted by your license; reference applicable electrical code; ensure contractor permitting documentation is completed; and verify lockout/tagout and other electrical safety practices.
• Support plumbing and hydronic systems. Maintain and troubleshoot piping, valves, hydronic distribution, drainage, plumbing fixtures and potable and non-potable water systems.
• Support fire and life safety systems. Assist with inspection, maintenance, troubleshooting and contractor coordination for alarms, sprinklers, suppression systems and related equipment.
• Coordinate repairs and contractors. Schedule and support in-house and contracted maintenance, inspections and repairs; prepare work areas and facility access; communicate status; and verify the quality, safety and completeness of completed work. Follow up with information regarding completion and process, in detail, to supervisor.
• Maintain additional building systems. 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.
• Respond to operational needs. 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.
• Document and improve the work: Create and maintain detailed work orders, maintenance records, and reports; review system analytics and performance data; utilize 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, ensuring all stakeholders remain informed of project status and maintenance…