12, Portland Observer June 1, 1988
CAREERS IN
THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION
T he Oregon Department of Transportation employs 4500 people in a vide variety ol eareers.
Jobs include maintenance positions such as Park Rangers and Highway Maintenance Wot kers, piolessio
positions such as Engineers, Planners, Programmers, Environmental Specialists, and Accounts; skint
craft positions such as Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Traffic Signal technicians, and Heavy Equipment
Operators; technical jobs such as Engineering and Electronic Technicians and Computer Operators; am
clerical positions.
Engineering
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 for his ability to develop employees.
“ O u r w ork involves working with thousands o f documents” said Blue, and
has a lot o f legal and financial impact, and demands a good working relation
ship w ith your co-workers and the public, so accuracy, timeliness, and public
relations are im p o rtan t.”
M o to r Vehicle Representative l ’s ($13,800 - $17,200) can move on to M V R 2
($15,100 - $18,900). Managers o f M V D offices depending on their size, may
earn from $15,800 to $25,300 per year.
M V R 1 jobs require two years o f public contact experience that demonstrate the
above skills.
Parks and Recreation
I am looking fo r someone who has the self-confidence to learn on the jo b ana
fho is motivated by the quality o f their w o rk ,” states Schalk. A well-rounded
rogram o f w ork and education is a plus.
Written and oral communication skills and an a ffin ity for solving design and
ngineering problems with the computer are also im portant.
•Vhat does he like about Karen? "She is aggressively interested in learning, she is a
iood ‘student’ on the job, and she is diligent, says Schalk. I can give her
esponsibility and know that she will manage it well and learn tiom it.
Highway Engineer l ’s ($18,900 - $24.192) can promote to HE 2 or HE 3' ,S2()-(MX)
to $29 400) HE 4 positions involve project management responsivi u its u c
sign, construction or planning work Highway Engineer 5 s need broader m. -
agement skill and pay up to $35.700.
“ I could have started as an Engineering Technician and been happy, said
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 being
promoted to a Parks Manager A position at Champoeg Park just south of
Portland.
Karen, “ the opportunity is what I needed.”
An employee can also move into Highway Engeneering series by starting out as
an Engineering Technican 1 ($15,000 - $18,600) which requires an Associate
Degree in Engin?ering from a community college or beginning as an Engineer
ing Aide (13,700 - 17,200) which requires high school level algebra, geometry
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.
and vocabulary skills.
M otor Vehicles
Diane Blue has been with the M otor Vehicles Division as a M otor Vehicle
Representative for over a year. She began as a temporary employee “ I, was
kind o f risky getting started,” said Diane. " I had two good part-time jobs, but
they did not offer me a career.” She noted that there is a lot o f competition for
the jobs, “ so I took my exam twice to improve my score.
“ 1 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
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 D istrict, a Park Manager may earn from $15,100 to $26.700.
The Park Rangei I position requires six months of experience in the
maintenance and upkeep o f grounds or buildings.
Anyone desiring to know more about these positions and how to apply for
them or other positions with the Department o f Transportation or state
government should contact
ODOT Civil Rights Section
in Salem