Operating Engineer I

Portland’5 Centers for the Arts, operated by Metro, is one of the nation’s largest and most dynamic performing arts centers, managing five unique venues in the heart of Portland. We are proud to foster a workplace that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve, where inclusion, collaboration, and personal growth are at the core of our culture. We are currently seeking an Operating Engineer I to join our dedicated team—someone who thrives in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment and brings both strong technical ability and a passion for exceptional service. 

This role offers the opportunity to work behind the scenes of world-class performances, supporting the safe and efficient operation of our facilities. The ideal candidate is a flexible, self-starting professional who enjoys problem-solving, communicating across departments, and partnering with a variety of trades and contractors. You’ll be using tools like Asset Essentials, radio communication, and email to coordinate and complete tasks, often under tight timelines. Reliability, strong attendance, and the ability to explain technical information clearly to people with different goals and perspectives are key to success in this role. 

As an Operating Engineer I you will: 

• Networking and data cabling systems: Perform duties associated with network infrastructure needs such as; troubleshooting network connectivity issues, checking the connection on ethernet ports with netscout, etc. and able to understand associated building prints/documentation. 
• HVAC system components: Perform duties associated with air conditioning systems, boilers and heating systems, chiller and cooling tower systems, pumps, fans, and other motor-driven mechanics, and able to understand associated building prints, Programmable Logic Controllers associated with our automated HVAC systems and HVAC controls. 
• Plumbing systems: Perform duties associated with valves, piping and hydronic distribution systems, drainage systems, plumbing fixtures for potable and non-potable water sources; and able to understand associated building prints. 
• Life & Fire Safety Systems: Perform and arrange duties and inspections associated with sprinkler, fire door, fire escape, fire exits, alarm, panel, sensor, extinguisher and other fire suppressant systems. 
• Kitchen and concession equipment: Performing and arranging duties associated with refrigeration units, and other kitchen equipment. 
• General Building carpentry, hardware and glazing for building envelope and interior needs: Perform duties associated with Windows, doors, door closers, door locks, gates and latches, exterior metal cladding, brickwork, granite, marble and cement poured molding, wood features and furnishings and able to understand associated building prints. Additionally, any knowledge of Welding or brazing of materials utilizing any methods – i.e.: stick, wire, TIG, MIG, soldering, is valuable. 
• Customer service software systems: Utilizes appropriate software and platforms, such as our event scheduling software, Momentus, to assist with event setups that require temporary power hookups, VoIP and network connections, etc. Uses our work order software, Asset Essentials, to provide updates on repairs/improvements and closes the loop with customers. Regularly reviews analytics (such as what is shown on our Power BI page) and notes ideas for process improvement. Stores and uses reference information from mapped network drives and SharePoint pages, including building prints. 
• Safety systems and training: Acts as a a student of, an advocate for and expert on building system safety. Continues to update training on a wide variety of safety practices at work such as working at heights, OSHA safety training, chemical awareness, hazard identification and analysis, lock-out-tag-out of hazardous energies, identifying and wearing proper PPE and safety barricades, etc. 

Attributes for success: 

• Punctuality: Has great punctuality and maintains a history of good attendance. 
• Overtime: Able and willing to work monthly rotating ‘on-call’ service duties to support after-hours, weekend and holiday emergencies and urgent facility response.  
• Customer Service: Excellent customer service skills, including an ability to update and follow up with conclusions on work orders and projects. Can read and follow written and oral instructions as well as demonstrate attention to detail and can describe details to customers in clear, descriptive and understandable reports via typed work order. Enters data into, and follows work orders generated by, facility CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System) software. 
• Safety: Experience and certifications in industry-standard safety skills such as OSHA. Ability to move safely throughout the day consistently and often, walking, crouching, bending, squatting, working from ladders, light/mid/heavy lifting, stretching, reaching, etc. 
• Troubleshooting: Maintains a curious, inquisitive nature and willingness to learn. Understands how humility and setting aside ego can play a role in troubleshooting and research phases. Reads and understands drawings and diagrams such as schematics, one-line diagrams, building mechanical, fire protection and floor plans. 
• Teamwork: Practices teamwork regularly and is unafraid of asking coworkers for help. Establishes and maintain positive and effective working relationships with fellow employees, management, contractors and the public. Works smoothly with outside repair and maintenance contractors in various disciplines while ensuring a strict standard of work product quality is met by checking in and checking work when our contractor partners communicate, they believe a job is finished. 
• Technical & Physical Skills: Experience with or understanding of safe operation and maintenance of boiler systems, chiller systems with cooling towers and package units with condensers. Understanding of the role high and low voltage electrical systems, mechanical systems and DDC controls play in a building, as well as how they interact with one another.