Hop on your bike and join us for this year’s
Cycle the Well Field
A fun, family-friendly event celebrating Portland’s groundwater source

When: Saturday, May 30, 8:45 AM to 1:30 PM
Where: 9920 NE Cascades Parkway, in Portland

The Portland Water Bureau and the Columbia Slough Watershed Council invite you to Cycle the Well Field, a bicycle tour of Portland’s groundwater drinking water source.

The Ride

Water Bureau staff will reveal the mysteries of groundwater as you ride through the city’s Groundwater Protection Area. You’ll learn about how groundwater gives the city flexibility and reliability in its water supply, and how you can help protect this important resource. All participants are required to wear helmets.

Length and Difficulty

The ride is about 16 miles long over relatively flat terrain. We take a slow to moderate pace, with multiple stops and a lunch break. While the ride is relatively flat, please consider its length, busy intersections, and possible headwinds. Ages 12 and older are welcome.

Sign Me Up!

Pre-registration is required and space is limited. To register, sign up online or get in touch with Penny Beckwith at 503-281-1132 or by e-mail.

Lisa Vieno
Water Education

UPDATE: The Water Bureau Director job opportunity closed on Monday, June 1 at 4:30 p.m. Pacific time.

The City of Portland is currently recruiting for a highly experienced professional to lead its drinking water utility.

The Portland Water Bureau Administrator, an at-will position, reports to an elected member of the Portland City Council and is responsible for managing a highly capable workforce of over 550 union and non-represented employees. The bureau has over $8 billion in system assets, a proposed annual budget of $212 million and a projected five-year Capital Improvement Program budget of approximately $392 million. 

The successful candidate for this position will possess the experience necessary to provide policy planning, leadership, direction, and operation of the bureau and to manage the Administration Group and oversee the executive management team.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The competitive candidate for the Portland Water Bureau Administrator position will possess the qualifications and competencies identified in the job description and the knowledge, skills, and abilities in the ideal candidate profile.

Anticipated Recruitment Activity Schedule

The recruitment for the Administrator position opens on May 4 and closes at 4:30 p.m. PDT on Monday, June 1. Candidates will be notified of interviews the week of June 8.

It is anticipated that during the week of July 13, selection committee interviews will be held and the finalist will meet with Commissioner Nick Fish. By the first week of August, a job offer is expected to be made contingent on a background check.

How to Apply

Applicants must submit a cover letter and professional résumé, specifically focused on qualifications for this position, online at NeoGov. 

All completed applications for this position must be submitted no later than 4:30 pm, on the closing date of this recruitment.

E-mailed and/or faxed applications will not be accepted.

Questions & Additional Information

• Contact Lynda Lewis, Bureau of Human Resources Diversity, Outreach, Employment Resources Manager, at 503-823-3514 or by e-mail.

• Dedicated webpage detailing minimum qualifications, knowledge, skills and abilities, compensation information, and anticipated recruitment schedule

• Job posting with application instructions, ideal candidate profile, and benefits information

• Administrator Recruitment Brochure

Every spring and fall, the Portland Water Bureau’s Education program takes students on field trips to the Bull Run Watershed.

During a typical field trip, students test turbidity, learn how the forest protects the water, and tour the inside of Dam 1. Enjoy these highlights from thank you notes students sent after the fall 2014 field trip season!

 
It must have been raining while they were conducting turbidity tests—very common in the Bull Run.

 
This student felt compelled to write a thank you note after hearing all the cool stuff s/he missed.

Once is not enough for Jack!

To learn more about Bull Run Watershed tours and field trips, visit the Water Bureau's Water Resources Education webpage.

A City Council hearing on the Water Bureau’s proposed Washington Park Reservoir Improvements Project Type IV Land Use Review (LUR) application will be held on Wednesday, May 13 at 2 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers at 1221 SW 4th Avenue.

Members of the public are welcome to attend; no testimony will be accepted. During the hearing, Council is scheduled to deliberate and, if they are ready, take a tentative vote. They would direct that written findings be brought back to them at a specified future date for Council adoption. That would be their final decision.

For additional information on the Type IV LUR application and process, visit www.portlandoregon.gov/water/wpreservoirs/LUR.

Lindsay Wochnick
Public Information

On Saturday, May 9 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, the public is invited to volunteer alongside the Friends of Powell Butte Nature Park, Hands On Greater Portland, and Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) to perform needed trail maintenance and restoration work at Powell Butte Nature Park.

Volunteers are encouraged to wear long thick pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and sturdy shoes. Bring a backpack, water bottle, rain gear, and sunhat. Instruction, tools, gloves, and small treats will be provided.

Meet at the SE Ellis Street and SE 145th Avenue. Recommended parking is on SE Ellis Street.

Please be aware that a major construction project is under completion within the Powell Butte Nature Park. Volunteers are reminded to keep out of fenced hazardous construction areas and to stay on open designated park trails during the restoration event.

Volunteers are asked to RSVP online to Hands On Portland.

Kevin Duff
Park Technician