electrician

administrative coordinator

senior procurement specialist

operations associate

security officer

Port of Portland

My expereience was that I really enjoyed the company. There were frequently events that showed employee appreciation with free food and music or free swag. The benefits are great and the management in the maintenance department was very relaxed. The maintenance department is on the opposite side of the airfield and is a completely different culture from the headqaurters in the center of the terminal area. Going to the orientation at headquarters felt like I was listening to a different company because many of their culture talking points either don't exist or aren't applicable to the other side of the operations. I was paid the same regardless so I didn't experience the "performance incentives" that HQ did. "Diversity, equity, and inclusion" are all huge talking points for HQ but those things didn't matter on the maintenance side. Not that they didn't have their place but it's not like diversity, equity, and inclusion are going to help me dig a hole, trim trees, or blow leaves faster. I didn't care where my coworker came from or looked like, just as long as the load felt equal.

Anyway, it was just easy to tell that the HQ management most likely had never worked in or around the maintenance department so there was a disconnect when you hear them talking. The maintenance management however could walk the walk and talk the talk and I really respected them for that. They were good managers, checked up on their employees, and didn't overwork you. It was actually one of the least stressful and least toxic environments that I've worked in and just want anyone to know, it's a good place to work.

The downside though, being at the bottom, pay. Most of the time as a helper, you're doing the same if not similar work as the journeymen and getting paid $25/hr vs $35 an hour with less opportunity for upgrade pay and little to no overtime opportunities to bring in extra income. After walking 5-10miles a day or sitting on a mower out in the rain for 8 hours, the last thing you want to do is go and work doordash or uber just to try to get ahead on bills or savings. Increase the starting pay and maybe you could get people to stay. The landscaping department specifically has the highest turnover, least pay, and physically works the hardest by far.

The Port has a great mission and exciting opportunities, but is unfortunately bogged down with typical government bureaucracy, cronyism, and protecting ineffective leaders.  Despite attempts to appear like a more progressive, modern organization, my experience there was disappointing and I quickly learned that it was a place where staying within the lines was more encouraged than challenging assumptions, asking hard questions, and improving the business.  Experiences there can vary widely though, and there are some departments that are much better environments than others, in addition to some very high-caliber leaders.  Very difficult to advance in your career unless you 'put in your time' with the organization, irregardless of your previous qualifications or achievements.  They have a long way to go in implementing the advertised culture across the Port, with lots of old school thinking still dragging on the organization.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Fantastic views from the main office. 
Not typical government from the standpoint of most people seem to work hard.  
Location is fun and interesting as the main office is a the airport.
Swanky office space - especially for a government entity.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Terrible pay compared to market
Terrible medical benefits, High deductible 
Not a very big entity so not a lot of room for growth vertically or with what you do professionally
The port seems to be a cushy job for ex-governor chiefs of staff to land and make a very decent 6 figure salary.  
IT wrecked by outsourcing

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
DEI hyper focused to the point of that taking precedence over all things.  It's great if you meet the criteria the DEI program is looking for. DEI determines the best candidates. It's a big part of the culture.  Culture also depends on the team.  It was a great place to work at one time but is not any longer.  So many people have left including me.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
early arrival , flexible shift , 40 hours. 1 work from home day per week pre-covid

Good place to work as an officer if you’re already retired or about to retire.  Workload and stress is low compared to a city agency.  The Port is in the city of Portland so it’s crime can be felt sometimes even tho main jurisdiction is the airport.  City asks for assistance occasionally.  Pay is good for what you do, benefits not so much, and the agency is poorly managed.  Training is very poor and if anything goes wrong, they will turn their back on you no matter what.  Morale is also very low but the officers get by with having each other to fall back on.  Majority of sergeants will fight for you.  I would still recommend working there if you don’t mind the politics of it all.  

The Navigation safety position is a horrible position. You will have to drive on average 1 1/2 to and from the Dredge each day. Work 8 plus hours and then have to deal with some of the worst managers I have ever seen. If that’s not enough if the Army Corp of Engineers wants to you can be blamed for management not wanting to improve safety and loose your job with out the Port backing you.  This is a position that has a large turnover. Don’t leave your job to go here.

What is the best part of working at the company?
That they are working towards and inclusive workplace.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
There isn't anything stressful about working there.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
There is a strong effort to be inclusive and have employees feel a sense of belonging


What is a typical day like for you at the company?
A typical day is filled with meetings, scheduling and working on admin duties

Many inequities. Treatment of minority and women employees is really bad, especially minorities. Less than 10% of leaders are people of color with over 50 leaders. Many are window dressing and facades. Minorities don't have a voice or seat at the decision table. Leadership is a good ol boy system. Organization is divided in two. There's everyone working on the construction program. Then...everyone else. Benefits are great and compensation is competitive. Many friendly people. Great work life balance.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Good hours, decent benefits, but horrible pay.  Forced to conform to their DEI protocol against my personal beliefs.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
too far left leaning to my liking

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
good team work, management was not the greatest

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
answer inquiries for Lost and Found items.  Log and document items.  Purge system as needed

Pros - great work/life balance, great co-workers, on site gym at HQ, great views from HQ office, lots of food options on site, great benefits plans, compensation is at market level if you factor in PERS (otherwise slightly below market)

Cons - depending where you live the commute can be bad, cultural differences between airport and marine, old school management, very hierarchical, very difficult to advance your career, siloed communication, turf battles, resistance to change, strive for consensus makes decision making way too slow.

My position is very fast paced and exciting but sometimes hard to squeeze breaks in due to low staffing .  No support from management for trying to advance to a higher position.  Management not open to ideas to improve  job performance outcomes . 

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Electrician 11 salaries reported	$55.79 per hour
Administrative coordinator 2 salaries reported	$25.48 per hour
Senior procurement specialist 2 salaries reported	$91,000 per year
Operations associate 5 salaries reported	$74,200 per year
Security officer 4 salaries reported	$31.89 per hour

Working at Port of Portland: Company Overview and Reviews

Port of Portland

Port of Portland Ratings

Popular jobs at Port of Portland

Salary Satisfaction

Job Seeker Tools

Employer Tools

Browse

Stay Connected