Vehicle Emissions Inspector; Public Service Representative

Initial Posting Date: 01/14/2026

Final date to receive applications: 01/21/2026

Agency: Department of Environmental Quality

Salary Range: $3,626 - $4,941

Position Type: Employee

Position Title: Vehicle Emissions Inspector (Public Service Representative
3)

Job Description:

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* Note:

Effective Feb. 1, 2026, the compensation plan for this position will be increased to reflect a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) of 2.5%. The salary listed in this posting does not reflect the COLA.**

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality strives to build and sustain an inclusive and equitable environment that embraces and values diversity. Employees at all levels of the agency work together to foster fairness, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We strive to be a workplace where we share our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals, and while collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations.

We celebrate and appreciate diversity, champion equity, and treat each other with respect and dignity.

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, age, or physical or mental disability in the administration of our programs and activities. Visit DEQ’s Civil Rights and Environmental Justice page.

If so, please consider a career with the State of Oregon at the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). At DEQ, employees have the opportunity to work with a dynamic and supportive team of mission-focused individuals tasked with maintaining, restoring, and enhancing the quality of Oregon’s air, land, and water. Here is a video about DEQ:

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) currently has a full-time opportunity for a Vehicle Emissions Inspector (Public Service Representative
3) at its Sherwood Clean Air Station in Sherwood, Oregon. The list of qualified candidates may be used to fill future limited duration and permanent vacancies at any of the Portland area testing stations located in Clackamas, Gresham, Hillsboro, NE Portland, and Sherwood.

This position is limited duration through June 30, 2026 with the potential of being extended or made permanent pending Budget and Legislature approval.

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is the primary regulatory agency of the U.S. State of Oregon responsible for protecting and enhancing the state's natural resources.

Affecting close to half the population of the State of Oregon, the Vehicle Inspection Program (VIP) is one of the signature programs of the Oregon DEQ. The VIP is responsible for ensuring over 1 million vehicles in the Portland and Medford areas have well maintained emission control systems, and VIP plays a significant role in the Ozone SIP, air toxics reductions, and implementation of Oregon’s low emissions vehicle program for reducing greenhouse gases.

Within its testing boundaries, the VIP program is responsible for about 2/3 of vehicle registrations and VIN inspections for the Department of Motor Vehicles. VIP staff count for 1/6 of the entire Agency staff.

For a visual representation of DEQ’s offices and their locations, view our DEQ Offices and Vehicle Inspection Testing Stations map.

This is not your typical customer service job. Our Vehicle Emissions Inspectors are trained to use state-of-the-art technology to quickly and efficiently test over 500,000 vehicles every year in the Portland metro area to ensure they are compliant with State and Federal emissions standards.

Inspectors provide quality customer service in all aspects of the vehicle emission inspection process, including:

• Directing and instructing vehicle drivers on test procedures.
• Entering accurate emission test data and verifying emission control information.
• Attaching test equipment to vehicle systems and conducting testing.
• Communicating test results to vehicle owners including information on…