Page 12, Portland Observer, June 3, 1987
CAREERS IN
THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION
The Oregon Department of Transportation employs 4500 people in a wide variety ot caieers.
Jobs include maintenance positions such as Park Rangers and Highw ay Maintenance \\ or kei s, pi otessional
positions such as Engineers, Planners, Programmers, Environmental Specialists, and \ccounts; skilled
craft positions such as Heavy Equipment Mechanics, I Yaffle Signal Technicians, and Heavy Equipment
Operators; technical jobs such as Engineering and Electronic Technicians and Computer Operators; and
clerical positions.
Eaglaeeriag
Karen Bell, Highway Engineer 1, and a C ivil Engineering graduate from
Oregon State exemplifies the positive attitudes that the Department looks for.
Karen works for Bob Schalk, a Design Project Manager in Portland, well
known fo r his ability to develop employees.
“ Our work involves working with thousands of documents” said Blue, “ and
has a lot of legal and financial impact, and demands a good working relation*
ship with your co-workers and the public, so accuracy, timeliness, and public
relations are important.”
Motor Vehicle Representative l ’s ($13,800 - $17,200) can move on to M VR 2
($13,100 - $18,900). Managers of M V D offices depending on their size, may
earn from $13,800 to $25,300 per year.
M VR 1 jobs require two years o f public contact experience that demonstrate the
above skills.
Parks and Recreation
j
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“ I am looking for someone who has the self-confidence to learn on the job ano
who is motivated by the quality o f their w o rk ,” states Schalk. A well-rounded
program o f work and education is a plus.
W ritten and oral communication skills and an a ffin ity for solving design and
engineering problems with the computer are also important.
What does he like about Karen? "She is aggressively interested in le
good 'student' on the job, and she is diligent, says Schalk
responsibility and know that she will manage it well and learn tr
Highway Engineer 1’s ($ 18,900 - $24.192) can promote to HE 2 or
to $29.400). HE 4 positions involve project management respon
sign, construction or planning work. Highway Engineer 5 s neei
agement skill and pay up to $35,700.
“ I could have started as an Engineering Technician and been happy, said
Karen, “ the opportunity is what 1 needed.”
An employee can also move into Highway Engeneering senes by starting out as
an Engineering Technican 1 ($15,000,- $18,600) which requires an Associate
Degree in Engineering from a community college or beginning as an Engineer­
ing Aide (13,700 - 17,200) which requires high school level algebra, geometry
and vocabulary skills.
Kevin Price is a Park Ranger 2 with Parks and Recreation Division. He works
at Emigrant Springs State Park, between Pendleton and LaGrande, and is be­
ing promoted to a Parks Manager A position at Champoeg Park just south o f
Portland.
Kevin’s assignment involves the supervision o f a boy’s crew. Not only does he
have to possess the technical skills which may include skill in one or more areas
such as carpentry, masonry, plumbing, woodworkng, concrete work, or small
engine mechanics but he also has to have people skills.
“ I manage a group o f 10 to 20 young men,” states Price, “ and 1 motivate
them and get them to develop a sense o f pride and self-worth.” Kevin main­
tains good working relationships w ith the staff o f the Boys Camp and with
Diane Blue has been with the M otor Vehicles Division ;
Representative for over a year. She began as a temporary
kind o f risky getting started,” said Diane. “ I had two goot
they did not offer me a career."She noted that there is a lo
the jobs, “ so 1 took my exam twice to improve my score
Children Services Division.
A Park Ranger 1 ($15,800 - $17,200) can progress to a Ranger 2 ($16,400
$18,000) and into Park Management positions. Depending on the size o f the
Park or District, a Park Manager may earn from $15,100 to $26,700.
The Park Ranger 1 position requires six months o f experience in the
maintenance and upkeep o f grounds or buildings.
Anyone desiring to know more about these positions and how to apply tor
them or other positions with the Department o f Transportation or state
government should contact
ODOT Civil Rights Section
in Salem
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