Vehicle Emissions Inspector (Public Service Representative 3)

Initial Posting Date:

01/14/2026

Application Deadline:

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:

**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.

Do you have strong customer service skills and enjoy working with a variety of customers? Do you work well both independently and as part of a team? 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: https://youtu.be/E-Cs6M9AAlU

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.

About DEQ!

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is the primary regulatory agency of the government 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.

What you will do!

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 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.

What’s in it for you!

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 benefits. We offer a competitive benefits package that offers comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans for the employee and their qualified family members, as well as paid sick leave, vacation leave, personal leave, and 11 paid holidays a year. In addition, we offer membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), and you have the opportunity to potentially receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). If you are passionate about Oregon's environment, apply today!
 

This is a full-time, AFSCME represented position.

This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies.

What are we looking for?

Minimum Qualifications: Two years of experience in customer service. One year must have included the explanation of rules, regulations, and policies, and responsibility for dealing with unique or unusual situations.

Candidates who are most competitive will also reflect the following desired attributes:

• 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 performing duties while working effectively with diverse and sometimes difficult clientele.
• Ability to communicate in a friendly, open, and respectful manner in person, over the telephone, and via email.
• Ability to work cooperatively and develop effective working relationships with diverse work groups and the general public.
• Experience with monetary transactions that included handling cash and making change, as well as processing debit/credit payments.
• Experience accurately entering data or retrieving information from a computer.
• Knowledge and/or experience in a vehicle emissions testing environment.

Working Conditions:

DEQ believes in a diverse and inclusive work environment. All employees are expected to contribute to a work environment that collectively values and benefits from respecting its diversity and promotes a culture of inclusiveness.

Work involves repetitious bending, kneeling, and stooping; standing and walking for extended periods; and lifting of approximately 25 pounds. Work will occur in an environment that includes vehicle exhaust fumes, noise, and heat. Work will occur in all weather conditions and involve exposure to outdoor elements.

How to Apply: (complete the application in full)

• External Applicants Click on the “Apply” button and submit your application. For resources and support related to applying, view our External Candidate job aid and Workday Recruitment for External Job Applicants video.
• Internal Applicants (current State of Oregon employees): Apply through your employee Workday account. For step-by-step resources on how to apply, review the Jobs, search & apply knowledge article.

Helpful Tips:

• Allow yourself plenty of time to complete and submit the application.
• The State of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of birth, attendance, or graduation dates from an educational institution during the application process.
• Workday will timeout after 15 minutes of inactivity.
• This posting closes at 11:59 PM on the close date listed.
• Please save a copy of the job announcement for your reference, as it may not be available for you to view after the job posting closes.
• Be sure to check both your email and Workday account for updates regarding this recruitment.
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• Check out our Resources and Job Support Page for other helpful tips. 

Help Your Application Rise to the Top!

Your application materials are the perfect opportunity to highlight your interest in the position and showcase your amazing skills and experience. In addition to your related work experience and education, DEQ will use the desired attributes and minimum qualifications above, under the “What are we looking for?” section to determine whom to interview. Please make sure your attributes and minimum qualifications are clearly demonstrated in your application materials.

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Veterans Information:

DEQ provides candidate preference points to all eligible veterans and Oregon National Guard servicemembers (current and former). For more information on candidate preference, please visit Veterans Resources. For privacy reasons, please do not attach candidate preference documents when initially applying. Instead, you will be asked to submit those at a later time as part of a future task in Workday.

Equal Pay Analysis:

As an employer, the State of Oregon complies with HB 2005, the Pay Equity Bill. We do not discriminate on the basis of protected class in the payment of wages, and we do not screen applicants on the basis of their current or past compensation. All finalists have an equal pay analysis completed to determine their placement on the salary scale. Please note: the salary listed is the non-PERS qualifying salary range. If the successful candidate is PERS qualifying, the salary range will reflect an additional 6.95% (6% goes to PERS and .95% covers payroll taxes). Please review the Classification and Compensation page for more details.

Work Authorization:

DEQ does not offer visa sponsorships. On the first day of employment, all hires will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security’s Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States. In addition, hires will have three business days from their first day of employment to present documents that establish employment authorization and identity. DEQ is an E-Verify employer and will use E-Verify to confirm that hires are authorized to work in the United States.

Questions/Need Help?

If you have questions about the recruitment or need assistance to participate in the application process, including an accommodation request under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact DEQ’s Recruitment Team at jobs@deq.oregon.gov or 503-229-5107. TTY users: please use the Oregon Telecommunications Relay Service at 1-800-735-2900.