Job Details

Code Specialist II

The City of Portland is recruiting to fill current and future Code Specialist II vacancies across the city. Code Specialist II's perform work in the following bureaus: Portland Bureau of Transportation, Portland Permitting & Development, and Bureau of Planning and Sustainability. Job Appointment: This recruitment could be used to fill regular, limited duration, or temporary appointments. Work Schedule: Monday Friday, 8am-5pm. Work hours will vary to meet business needs. Work Location: Various Locations. Hybrid - Remote work must be performed within Oregon or Washington. Benefits: Please check our benefits tab for an overview of benefit for this position. Language Pay Premium Eligible: This position may be eligible for Language Pay Differential for qualifying employees. Union Representation: AFSCME-189. To view this labor agreement, please click here. Starting Pay: Applicants start at the entry salary rate. If you are an AFSCME-189 represented employee, see labor agreement for additional information or talk to your union representative.

Entry: $31.98

6 Mo: $34.70

1 Year: $36.70

Application Material: Please click APPLY to submit your application via the City of Portland's online portal. You will need respond to the supplemental questions and attach a rsum.

Position Summary: The City of Portland is seeking individuals with strong organization, communication, and customer service skills to serve as a Code Specialist II. The Code Specialist will oversee compliance and enforcement of City of Portland administrative rules and codes pertaining to their applicable bureaus or programs.

Code Specialists II's perform on-site compliance assessments, investigations, and enforces decisions of hearings and reviews. Code Specialist II's engage in extensive public communications and interactions. The work is performed independently under the direction of a manager.

Typical Job Duties:

• Apply and enforce City codes, policies, and regulations fairly and consistently, using good judgment and an equity lens to reduce barriers and avoid unnecessary harm.
• Respond to complaints and concerns by listening carefully, visiting sites, researching information, and working with affected parties to address violations.
• Inspect premises to ensure work follows permit requirements, approved plans, and/or City rules, and clearly explain findings and next steps in a respectful way.
• Review codes, plans, permits, and related documents to help customers understand requirements and succeed in meeting them.
• Emphasize education, problem solving, and voluntary compliance by developing practical solutions that consider different community needs and circumstances.
• Answer questions and meet with residents, developers, businesses, and City staff to provide clear, accessible information and culturally responsive service.
• Collaborate with other City bureaus, outside agencies, and community partners to coordinate responses and support equitable outcomes.
• Manage and track cases, write clear and professional notices and letters, and maintain accurate records in an online system.
• Represent the City at code hearings when needed.

Ideal Candidate Profile:

• Collaborative: Values partnership. Develops and supports relationships to get things done. Able to build strong relationships with community organizations, residents, businesses, industry organizations, work groups, and cross-disciplinary teams.
• Solutions Oriented: Uses strong communication skills to work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders to create, implement, and document solutions.
• DEI Focused: Committed to using equity and inclusion concepts to guide and inform our work and its outcomes.
• Emotionally Intelligent: Motivated, passionate, team-oriented, and empathetic. Has strong interpersonal skills.

Virtual Zoom Meet & Greet Opportunity

Come meet the hiring manager and the senior recruiter! We'll be talking about the position duties and responsibilities, day to day life in the role, review the announcement, discuss how to apply, and answer questions you may have about the position.

Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at 12:00 P.M. Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Zoom Meeting Registration:

*Please note: AI Notetaking apps will not be allowed into virtual sessions hosted by the Bureau of Human Resources Recruitment Team. If you need accommodations as defined by the American Disabilities Act, then please contact the Recruiter for assistance.

Have a question?

Contact Information:

Tamela Ressler, Senior Recruiter

Bureau of Human Resources

...@portlandoregon.gov

The following minimum qualifications are required for this position:

1. Experience interpreting, explaining and applying rules, laws, codes, and policies in a regulated environment or public agency setting.

2. Experience providing clear and concise oral and written communication to explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
3. Experience collecting, analyzing, and evaluating data, including using modern database systems to accurately input data, generate notices, and manage case workloads.
4. Experience building effective working relations with diverse communities, stakeholders, and/or coworkers.
5. Ability to evaluate enforcement actions and apply solutions that are appropriate, fair, and mindful of potential impacts on the community.
6. Ability to remain calm and professional when working with staff and the public to resolve disputes of issues or problems.

Applicant must also possess:

• A valid state driver license and an acceptable driving record at time of hire.

STEP 1: Apply online between December 29, 2025 - January 12, 2026

Required Application Materials:

• Rsum
• Note: Do not include your age, date of birth, or the dates you attended or graduated from school. Only provide this information if it is specifically requested to meet job requirements or to follow federal, state, or local laws or rules.

• Answer to the Supplemental Questions (click on the Questions tab to preview the questions)

Optional Application Materials:

• Veteran's Preference documents (e.g., DD214-Member 4, VA Benefit Letter) must be submitted by the closing date.
• Update: As of March 3, 2025, if you have already submitted veteran documents and qualified for preference, you do not need to resubmit them for future recruitments.
• To update or remove veteran preference for this recruitment or from your profile, contact the recruiter listed in the job announcement.

Application Tips:

• Your responses to the supplemental questions should include details describing your education, training and/or experience, and where obtained, which clearly reflects your qualifications for each of the numbered items in the "To Qualify" section of this announcement.
• Your rsum should support the details described in your responses to the supplemental questions.

• How We Determine Pay: The City of Portland is covered by the Oregon Equal Pay Act. Your salary is determined based on the experience listed in your resume that is directly related and equivalent to the position for which you are applying. It is strongly encouraged to include any transferable experience (paid or unpaid regardless of how recent) to ensure your offer is reflective of all your relevant experience.
• Do not attach any additional documents. Do not attach a cover letter, it will not be reviewed.
• All applications must be submitted via the City's online application process by the closing date and time.
• E-mailed and/or faxed applications will not be accepted.
• You can use AI tools to assist with your job application, but please make sure to personalize your responses to supplemental questions. Avoid copying and pasting. We encourage using AI to generate ideas and then tailor them to reflect your own experiences and skills.

Step 2: Minimum Qualification Evaluation: Week of January 12, 2026

• An evaluation of each applicant's training and paid and unpaid experience, as demonstrated in their rsum and supplemental questions, weighted 100%.
• Your rsum and responses to the supplemental questions will be the basis for our evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Incomplete or inappropriate information may result in disqualification.
• You have 14 days from the notice of the minimum qualification