Portland Bureau of Environmental Services

Big or small, in plain sight or hidden away, circles are everywhere in our work. From the maintenance holes on our streets to the Willamette River Big Pipes and the clarifiers that treat our wastewater, these circles all play a role in delivering the services Portlanders rely on every hour of every day. On Pi Day (3.14), we're reminded that circles—and the math behind them—are essential to protecting public health and the environment. Whether it's the diameter of an underground injection control facility or the radius of a force main, π (pi) helps us do our work. #PiDay

It's #NationalEngineersWeek! From designing some of our largest infrastructure projects to troubleshooting systems and fine-tuning the smallest details, our engineers are behind the systems and services that Portlanders rely on every hour of every day.

It's #NationalEngineersWeek - a week to celebrate how engineers make a difference in our world. What's it like to be an engineer for Environmental Services? Find out from Heather McKenna as she shares her story and experiences.

Yesterday was an exciting day for our team at the Columbia Boulevard Wastewater Treatment Plant! Seeing our Wastewater Operators successfully testing 3D GIS mapping in our tunnels to locate asset data and information was a long-held vision brought to fruition. Like many municipal utilities, Environmental Services has faced challenges with documentation and information gaps—making real-time asset management in the field difficult. 80% of the most impactful asset management decisions happen on the plant floor, where operators and maintenance professionals have to make split-second choices that influence asset longevity, risk, and reliability. Empowering our frontline teams with real-time, accessible data optimizes asset performance, reduces failures and risks, improves efficiency, enhances employee safety, and strengthens situational awareness. Yesterday was an example of our commitment to delivering reliable and efficient services that Portlanders rely on every hour of every day.

We're hiring! Environmental Services is Portland's sewer and stormwater utility. We are also responsible for water quality in our local rivers and streams, protecting and restoring thousands of acres of natural areas and hundreds of miles of urban waterways, and recovering endangered species in Portland. We are seeking talented individuals for several positions, including Environmental Manager, Senior Planner, Wastewater Operations Specialist, and more. Learn more about these positions at https://lnkd.in/gP9G8vY8

Environmental Services works to protect public health, water quality, and the environment - and we're hiring! We are seeking talented individuals for a Procurement and Contracts Analyst I, a Wastewater Operations Specialist, and an Engineer-Civil. Learn more about these positions at https://lnkd.in/eiS5SkQ

Join us for Public Works Procurement Day this Thursday! Contractors are invited to learn about opportunities to work with the City of Portland’s public works bureaus. The Portland Bureau of Transportation, Portland Water Bureau, and Environmental Services will be presenting a wide array of 2025 construction bid opportunities. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gyDh_3Ui

Are you an experienced storyteller with a knack for engaging diverse audiences? Are you fascinated by big infrastructure, natural resources, science, and the health of our community, rivers, and streams? If so, we're looking for a skilled Public Information Officer to join our Communications team. Learn more and apply at https://lnkd.in/g3_Xfghw

The news of Bob Sallinger’s?passing has deeply affected us here at Environmental Services. Bob's?relentless advocacy and dedication to protecting the landscapes and wildlife that define our region made him a familiar face and trusted partner to many of us.?We are heartbroken. ? Bob was ahead of his time, and his?impact extended far beyond any single organization or cause; his work to restore our rivers, protect habitats, and inspire conservation efforts across our watersheds was truly?transformative. His passion and vision helped shape many projects that will benefit future generations, reminding us of the profound power and importance?of conservation. We are honored to have worked alongside him and to?share in his vision and commitment to making Portland a healthier, more resilient place for people and wildlife alike. I extend my deepest condolences to Bob’s?family and to?all who had the privilege of knowing and collaborating with him over the years. His?powerful?legacy will resonate?with us and the landscape we love?for decades to come. - Dawn Uchiyama, Director of Environmental Services

In September, a team from Environmental Services participated in the Operations Challenge at the Pacific Northwest Clean Water Association conference in Boise, ID. The Operations Challenge is a competition where wastewater professionals compete and showcase their skills in safety, collection, maintenance, lab work, and process management against other agency teams.