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// Water & Wastewater Engineering Recruiting — OR
Water & Wastewater Recruiter
Portland, OR
Portland is constructing its first-ever filtration plant for the historically unfiltered Bull Run water supply, a response to new state turbidity requirements, alongside continued operation of the Big Pipe CSO tunnels.
// Portland Water & Wastewater Recruiting
Specialized staffing for Portland water infrastructure
Metro Associates is a leading water and wastewater engineering recruiter providing specialized staffing solutions across Portland and the Pacific Northwest. We help firms and utilities hire licensed Professional Engineers (PE), process engineers, and construction inspection specialists across treatment, distribution, and collection-system disciplines — for projects reviewed under Portland Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) and beyond.
From treatment plant upgrades to collection-system rehabilitation and stormwater compliance, we match vetted talent to the regulatory, operational, and performance demands of complex water infrastructure programs.
Recruiting expertise
- Water & Wastewater Treatment Plant Design
- Water Distribution & Collection Systems
- Stormwater Management & Drainage Design
- Hydraulic & Hydrologic Modeling
- Water/Wastewater Process Engineering
- Utility Infrastructure Rehabilitation
- Environmental Compliance & Permitting (NPDES)
- Construction Engineering & Inspection (CEI)
// Roles we place
Water & wastewater roles we place in Portland
01Water/Wastewater Project Engineer (PE)
02Senior Process Engineer
03Water Resources Engineer
04Utility / Pipeline Design Engineer
05Water/Wastewater Plant Operations Manager
06Environmental Compliance Engineer
07Construction Engineer & Inspector (CEI)
08SCADA / Controls Engineer
09Water Resources Project Manager
10Director of Water/Wastewater Engineering
// Skills we screen for
Water & wastewater skills & software we recruit for in Portland
Every candidate we put forward is screened against the same bar: the modeling software, licensure, and code fluency the role actually demands.
AutoCAD Civil 3DBentley WaterGEMSBentley SewerGEMSBentley HAMMER (surge analysis)EPANETHEC-RAS / HEC-HMSInfoWorks ICMBioWin (process modeling)ArcGIS / utility GISCityworks / Lucity (asset management)Bluebeam RevuProfessional Engineer (PE) licenseGrade IV Water/Wastewater Operator certificationNPDES permitting fluencySCADA & instrumentation (Ignition, Wonderware)Pump station designMembrane & UV treatment systemsTrenchless rehabilitation (CIPP) methodsConfined space / collection system safety (OSHA)State DEP/DEQ regulatory fluency
// 2026 hiring trends
2026 Portlandwater & wastewater hiring
In 2026, the the Pacific Northwest market is defined by aging-infrastructure replacement, PFAS and emerging-contaminant compliance, and federally funded resiliency programs. Demand for licensed process engineers and inspection specialists who can deliver permit-compliant, resilient systems is at an all-time high.
Representative 2026 compensation
Water/Wastewater Engineer (EIT)$68,000 – $92,000
Licensed PE (Mid-Level)$100,000 – $145,000
Senior Project Manager$140,000 – $185,000+
Director of Water/Wastewater Engineering$175,000 – $245,000+
Ranges vary by firm, licensure, and project mix; figures are directional for the Portland metro.
// Projects we support
Supporting Portlandwater & wastewater programs
Bull Run filtration plant construction (first-ever)
Big Pipe CSO tunnel system operations
Columbia Boulevard WWTP upgrades
Lead service line replacement
Stormwater management & Willamette River resiliency
// FAQ
Water & wastewater recruiting in Portland — FAQ
Do you place water and wastewater engineers in Portland, OR?
Yes. Metro Associates is a specialized water and wastewater engineering recruiter serving Portland and the Pacific Northwest, placing licensed PEs, process engineers, and construction inspection specialists on treatment, distribution, and collection-system programs.
What water/wastewater roles do you recruit for in Portland?
We fill Water/Wastewater Project Engineer (PE), Senior Process Engineer, Water Resources Engineer, Utility/Pipeline Design Engineer, SCADA/Controls Engineer, and Director of Water/Wastewater Engineering roles.
How quickly can you fill a water/wastewater position in Portland?
With a national pipeline of pre-vetted water and wastewater professionals, we typically deliver a shortlist of qualified OR candidates within days — every placement backed by our guarantee.
Do you recruit for NPDES permitting and utility compliance work?
Yes. We recruit engineers fluent in NPDES permitting, SCADA and instrumentation, and utility infrastructure rehabilitation, reviewed under Portland Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) and Oregon's regulatory requirements.
// Why partner with us
Why Portland firms partner with Metro Associates
Multi-State Licensing Expertise
We understand NCEES comity and the complexities of multi-state PE licensure.
Passive Candidate Acquisition
Our recruiters reach high-performers who are not actively on job boards.
Scalable Staffing Solutions
From a single PE to an entire treatment-plant design team for a multi-year program.
Regulatory & Codes Fluency
Fluency in Clean Water Act / NPDES permitting, state DEP/DEQ requirements, and SRF-funded project compliance.
Hiring water & wastewater engineers in Portland?
Tell us about the role — we'll deliver a vetted shortlist of licensed OR water and wastewater talent, backed by our placement guarantee.
Other markets we serve
New York, NYLos Angeles, CAChicago, ILHouston, TXPhoenix, AZPhiladelphia, PADallas, TXAtlanta, GAMiami, FLSeattle, WADenver, COBoston, MAMinneapolis, MNDetroit, MICharlotte, NCNashville, TNLas Vegas, NVColumbus, OHSalt Lake City, UTKansas City, MOIndianapolis, INMilwaukee, WIRichmond, VABaltimore, MDNew Orleans, LALouisville, KYOklahoma City, OKCharleston, SCNewark, NJSan Francisco, CASan Diego, CASan Antonio, TXAustin, TXJacksonville, FLOrlando, FLPittsburgh, PACincinnati, OHCleveland, OHSt. Louis, MORaleigh, NCWashington, DCHartford, CTAlbuquerque, NMBirmingham, ALMemphis, TNOmaha, NEBoise, IDProvidence, RIBuffalo, NY