First Opportunity Program: Event Setup and Custodial Worker (variable hour)

This is a First Opportunity recruitment, we are only accepting applications from residents who live within the First Opportunity Target Area (FOTA) and meet the qualifying annual household income limit. For more information please visit www.oregonmetro.gov/fota.

Hello, we are Metro! Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow.

The Oregon Convention Center (OCC) and Portland Expo Center are looking for a dependable and energetic Event Setup and Custodial Worker to join our team. In this hands-on role, you’ll help keep our venues clean, organized, and ready to host a wide range of events—from national conventions and trade shows to local meetings and community gatherings.

This position will support Oregon Convention Center and the Portland Expo Center. Hours will vary from week to week based on events’ volume.  If you enjoy physical work, take pride in creating welcoming spaces, and being part of a team that keeps things running behind the scenes, we’d love to have you join us.

• Contribute to a clean and welcoming environment by performing essential cleaning tasks such as sweeping, mopping, waxing, vacuuming, dusting and emptying trash containers. 
• Help maintain a positive guest experience by ensuring restrooms are clean, stocked and ready for use, including replenishing towels, tissue and soap.
• Keep employee breakrooms, locker rooms and loading docks clean and organized. Which may include mopping, dishwashing, disinfecting high-touch surfaces and organization of recyclable materials.
• Be a key role in setting up and break down of tables, chairs, bleachers, ramps, dance floors, air walls, staging and hanging of drapes as required for conventions, meetings and other OCC events utilizing schematic drawings and narrative descriptions for special events.
• Assist with hanging banners outside the building by utilizing high-lift equipment. Which is also used in custodial duties. 
• Prepare rooms between events by striking tables and chairs, performance stages, podiums, cleaning rooms and resetting spaces to meet the needs of incoming events.
• Serve as a helpful resource to guests and visitors by providing accurate information about events and facility services provided.
• Monitors event spaces during shows to ensure cleanliness, restock supplies, trash containers are emptied, and maintain water service stations.

• Maintain a professional appearance and clean uniform throughout the duration of shift and completion of duties.
• Be a flexible and reliable team member by exhibiting regular and predictable attendance, practicing safe work habits

Attributes for success:

• Familiarity with custodial and sanitation practices, including safe handling of cleaning chemicals, proper equipment use and maintaining hygiene standards in public and employee spaces.
• Ability to follow event setup plans and instructions to efficiently assemble and take down furniture, staging, and other equipment for a variety of events.
• Strong customer service and communication skills to assist guests with event information and facility directions in a professional and courteous manner.
• Attention to detail and time management to ensure all assigned areas are clean, organized, and ready for use within scheduled timelines.
• Comfortable performing essential duties that include heavy lifting, being on concrete floors for extended periods of time, bending, stooping, traversing stairs, and frequent reaching.
• Commitment to working safely and following Metro safety policies, practices, and procedures.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced, event-driven environment, including flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and tasks.
• Skilled in building and maintaining positive working relationships with co-workers and the public.
• Ability to stay focused and detail-oriented while working under time constraints with public and guests present.
• Capability to safely operate motorized janitorial equipment.
• Knowledge of using small hand tools and willingness to occasionally work on elevated platforms or ladders.
• Ability to become forklift certified within one year

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

At Metro, we strive to cultivate diversity, advance equity, and practice inclusion in all of its work. This means attracting and empowering a workforce that is inclusive of a broad range of human qualities. Workplace diversity is both a moral imperative and a business strength, essential to providing quality support and services to our region. Metro’s goal is to hire, develop and retain highly skilled and talented individuals across all departments and programs who best reflect the diversity of our community.

Learn more about how Metro is advancing diversity

TO QUALIFY

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant.

Minimum qualifications

• High school diploma or GED and
• Two to three years of experience in a similar facility position; or
• Any combination of education and experience which would provide the candidate with the desired skills, knowledge and ability required to perform the job.

Special Requirements:

• Possession of or the ability to obtain a forklift operator, and CPR certificate.
• Be able to successfully complete a background check.
• Current and valid driver’s license.

Shifts: These are variable-hour positions with no guaranteed hours and no fixed schedule. Work opportunities are based on business needs, event schedules, and weather conditions.

Applicants should be available to work a minimum of two to three days per week and maintain flexible availability to support event operations. Scheduling opportunities are generally greater for employees who can provide broader availability, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Working Conditions: Duties may be performed under various conditions, which may include exposure to contaminated areas, enclosed spaces, at heights, indoor and outdoor locations under inclement weather, and other adverse conditions. Physically demanding position with frequent standing and lifting of 50 pounds on a regular basis; occasionally up to 80 pounds. Work pressure and workflow disturbances are expected. As necessary to meet workload demands, may work outside of typical schedule including evening/weekend hours and holidays as assigned.

If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply

If you were terminated for cause during any employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, you may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.

Like to have qualifications

You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider them when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position.

• Able to work a variety of shifts to meet the needs of the business and be dependable.
• Experience in a public venue or a multi-purpose event facility.
• Be able to learn the facilities layout.

SCREENING AND EVALUATION

The application packet: The application packet consists of the following required documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment.

• A completed online application.
• Complete answers to all supplemental questions.

The selection process: We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows. The selection process is subject to change.

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
• Consideration of top candidates/interviews
• Testing/assessments (if applicable)
• Reference check
• Background and driving records check for finalist candidate 

REPRESENTATION

The pay rate for this position is $24.45 per hour. Additionally, this role is eligible for overtime and is represented by AFSCME union. It is classified as a Utility Worker.

Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions. View the classification description.

These positions are considered variable hour with no fixed schedule and are to help cover shifts as needed.

Questions?

Recruiter: Megan Warneke

Email: megan.warneke@oregonmetro.gov

Equal employment opportunity

All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made, or any other status protected by law.

Accommodation

Metro will gladly provide a reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.

Veterans' preference

Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Metro positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans' preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

Hybrid Telework

Positions designated as “hybrid telework,” meaning you will have the option to work away from the office, although there may be times that coming into the office will be required. The designation of Hybrid Telework may be subject to change at a future time. All employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; Metro cannot support ongoing telework from other locations.
 

Pay equity at Metro

No matter who you are or where you work at Metro, you deserve to be paid fairly for the work you do. Every worker must get equal pay for equal work regardless of your gender, race, age, or other protected characteristics. Metro has established processes and conducts routine pay equity reviews as part of the hiring process to ensure compliance with the 2017 Oregon Pay Equity Act.

Online applications

Metro accepts job applications online. If you need assistance or accommodation with your application, or access to a computer, please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance. 

How to Apply

For tips on how to apply and more information on what the application process looks like, visit Metro’s “How to apply” page. 

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Metro 

Led by an elected council, this unique government gives all residents of greater Portland a voice in shaping the future and provides parks, venues, services, and tools at a regional scale. We find solutions for our area’s garbage and recycling that protect clean air and water; help plan land use and development to provide jobs and safe transportation; manage local venues that provide a connection to arts and culture and help keep the economy growing; protect 17,000 acres of parks and natural areas, and run the Oregon Zoo, to keep nature close to home. 

As part of the Metro family, Oregon Convention Center and Expo Center, help make greater Portland a great place to call home. Metro brings people together to shape the future of our area and provides parks, venues, services, and tools at a regional scale.

The Oregon Convention Center and Metro
 The Oregon Convention Center is the largest convention facility in the Pacific Northwest, attracting out-of-town visitors to national conventions, tradeshows and meetings, and local people to special events. The convention center’s roughly 160 employees host more than 1 million visitors each year.

The Portland Expo Center and Metro
 The Portland Expo Center is a multi-purpose exhibition facility offering meeting rooms, exhibit halls, a full-service restaurant and flexible outdoor exhibit space. The expo center’s roughly 23 employees host an average of 500,000 visitors each year.