Vehicle Emissions Inspector; Public Service Representative – Two

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, advancing individual professional goals while protecting, preserving, and enhancing the environment for current and future generations. 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.

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is the primary regulatory agency of the U.S. State of Oregon responsible for protecting and enhancing the state's natural resources. The Vehicle Inspection Program (VIP) ensures that over 1 million vehicles in the Portland and Medford areas have well‑maintained emission control systems, playing a significant role in the Ozone SIP, air toxics reductions, and Oregon’s low‑emissions vehicle program.

VIP staff make up one‑sixth of the entire Agency staff.

DEQ currently has two full‑time opportunities for a Vehicle Emissions Inspector (Public Service Representative
3) at its Hillsboro Clean Air Station in Hillsboro, Oregon. Both positions are limited duration, with anticipated end dates of 9/30/2026 and 10/17/2026, and may be extended or made permanent pending budget and legislature approval.

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.

• 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 how to resolve failed tests.
• Processing high volumes of paperwork and financial transactions accurately.
• Completing office duties as assigned, including entering financial information into a spreadsheet and preparing bank deposits.
• Working at other station locations on short notice depending on business needs.

The opportunity to work in a productive and creative environment where no two days are ever the same. DEQ cares deeply about employee wellness and offers a competitive benefits package that includes comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans for the employee and qualified family members, paid sick leave, vacation leave, personal leave, and 11 paid holidays a year. Members also receive Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) benefits and potential loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).

This is a full‑time, AFSCME represented position.

Minimum Qualifications: Two years of customer service experience, with at least one year involving the explanation of rules, regulations, and policies, and responsibility for dealing with unique or unusual situations.

• Ability to promote a culture of respect, inclusiveness, and appreciation of diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and values.
• Experience providing a high level of professional customer service and handling diverse and sometimes difficult clientele.
• Excellent communication skills, friendly, open, and respectful in person, on the telephone, and via email.
• Ability to work cooperatively and develop effective relationships with diverse work groups and the general public.
• Experience with monetary transactions, including handling cash and making change, and processing debit/credit payments.
• Experience accurately entering data or retrieving information from a computer.
• Knowledge and/or experience in a vehicle emissions testing environment.

Work involves repetitive bending, kneeling, and stooping; standing and walking…