First Opportunity Program: Setup Supervisor - Oregon Convention Center and Portland Expo Center

Salary: $77,368.57 - $103,680.77 Annually
Location : Oregon Convention Center/Expo Center, OR
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number:
Department: Oregon Convention Center
Opening Date: 11/06/2026
Closing Date: 11/15/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Position Summary
This is a First Opportunity recruitment, we are only accepting applications from residents who live within the First Opportunity Target Area (FOTA) and meet the qualifying annual household income limit. For more information please visit www.oregonmetro.gov/fota

We are seeking a Setup Supervisor to join our team supporting both the Oregon Convention Center and Portland Expo Center. This leadership role is responsible for overseeing event setup and custodial operations, ensuring venues are prepared safely, efficiently, and on schedule for a wide variety of events. Working closely with clients, contractors, and internal teams, the Setup Supervisor reviews event requirements, interprets floor plans, coordinates staff and resources, and adapts to changing priorities to help deliver exceptional experiences for guests and event organizers.
The Setup Supervisor role is an opportunity to build your leadership career in the events industry while gaining hands-on experience leading teams, managing complex operations, and bringing major events to life. You'll develop experience in people leadership, logistics, client service, and operational decision-making that can prepare you for continued growth in event and venue management.

The successful candidate is a collaborative and solutions-oriented leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys balancing people, logistics, and operational needs. In this role, you will assign and direct work, support a diverse workforce that includes union-represented employees, and help maintain consistent service standards across both venues. Whether your background is in event operations, facility coordination, custodial services, or logistics, if you are skilled at organizing moving pieces, leading teams, and ensuring successful event execution, we encourage you to apply.

As the Setup Supervisor you will:

• Supervise staff and ensure completion of tasks related to event set up and tear-down, including room setups, performance stage assembly and disassembly, stage ramps, ADA ramps, etc.
• Monitor and review the work of staff involved in custodial services such as restrooms cleaning, show monitoring, facility cleanliness, etc.
• Plan and prepare employee work schedules; assists in establishing work schedules and methods for the setup of events.
• Read and understand floor plans provided by event managers and clients, and answer any schematic-related questions the staff may have to complete setup work.
• Perform and assist with cleaning duties and event set ups and tear-downs, as needed.
• Meet and coordinate work with clients, decorator, exhibitors, venders and contractors.
• Coordinate activities with other departments, ensure services are appropriate and performed in an efficient and timely manner.
• Maintain department supplies and equipment; orders supplies, materials and equipment as needed.
• Provide ongoing inspection of building and grounds; identifies building needs and initiates corrective action.
• Ensure work is performed in compliance with codes, ordinances, regulations, and other requirements, including but not limited to, Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design Certification (LEED), fire code, and OSHA
• Complete professional development trainings and assignments, as assigned by the Director of Setup
• Contribute to the Setup Leadership Team; completing assigned projects, providing feedback and contribution to strategic initiatives, and supporting the Director of Setup.
• Complete other duties, as assigned

Attributes for success:

• Experience leading, coaching, and developing employees while fostering accountability, teamwork, and high performance.
• Skilled at prioritizing competing demands and maintaining operational effectiveness in a fast-paced, event-driven environment.
• Sound judgment and critical thinking to evaluate situations, resolve problems, and make timely decisions.
• Knowledge of event setup, facility operations, custodial services, logistics, or related venue operations.
• Proficiency in reading and interpreting floor plans, schematics, drawings, and blueprints.
• Talent for coordinating personnel, equipment, and resources to support efficient and successful event execution.
• Experience operating, or willingness to learn to operate, equipment commonly used in assembly facilities, including forklifts, cleaning equipment, and compactors.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with a customer service mindset and the ability to build effective working relationships across diverse groups.
• Demonstrated professionalism, discretion, and integrity when handling sensitive or confidential information.
• Flexibility to work varied schedules, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and other shifts based on event and venue needs.

TO QUALIFY

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant.

Minimum qualifications:

• A minimum of three (3) years of experience in business or facility operations, operational planning and execution, event operations, or a manual labor environment, and
• A minimum of one (1) year of lead/supervisory experience, and
• A High School Diploma or G.E.D., or
• Any combination of education and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the classification duties and responsibilities.

Required

• Current and valid driver's license
• Successful completion of a background check

Special Requirements to be completed or obtained within 90 days of hire:

• Current and valid forklift certification
• CPR Certified

Schedule:

This position supports department staff who are on site from approximately 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m, Monday - Sunday. As the supervisor, you must be available to work within that timeframe based on operational and event needs. The anticipated schedule for this position will be discussed during the interview stage.
Working Conditions:

This position may require work on any shift, including nights, weekends and holidays, at either venue. Physical demands include continuous lifting, pushing, pulling or carrying up to 10 pounds; hearing/responding to audio cues; reaching; and seeing/responding to visual cues. Frequent requirements include computer work, extended standing or walking, twisting or bending, repetitive hand and wrist motions, lifting up to 25 pounds and working near moving mechanical parts. Occasional requirements include stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, with possible exposure to fumes, airborne particles, extreme temperatures, blood or bodily fluids. Rare requirements include extended sitting, climbing or balancing, lifting up to 100 pounds, working near electricity and exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals.
If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply

If you were terminated for cause during any employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, you may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.
Like to have qualifications

You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider them when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position.

• Certified Forklift Trainer
• Advanced knowledge of computer software programs: Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and event management software.
• 2 or more years of experience in people management
• Associate's degree or higher

SCREENING AND EVALUATION

The application packet: The application packet consists of the following required documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment.

• A complete online application
• Complete responses to supplemental questions

The selection process: We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows. The selection process is subject to change.

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
• Consideration of top candidates/interviews
• Testing/assessments (if applicable)
• Reference check
• Background and driving records check for finalist candidate

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND REPRESENTATON
The full-salary range for this position is step 1: $77,368.57 to step 7: $103,680.77. However, unless a candidate's qualifications justify, based on the requirements and Metro's internal equity review process, the appointment will likely be made between step 1: $77,368.57 to the equity range step 4: $ 89,563.73.
This position is not eligible for overtime and is not represented by a union. It is classified as a Setup and Operations Supervisor position.
Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions.
Questions?

Recruiter: Megan Warneke

Email:
Additional Information