​At its September meeting, the members of the Oregon State Board of Examiners for Engineering & Land Surveying (OSBEELS) selected Jason Barbee to be the Board’s next Administrator. Barbee will join the agency after serving as the Unemployment Insurance Division Deputy Director for Policy and Operations with the State of Oregon’s Employment Department. He started with the Board on October 1.

Barbee brings over 11 years of management experience with the State of Oregon, and has a track record of successfully leading programs and departments.
“It is an absolute honor to lead this agency which has such an important role to play in the safety and wellbeing of the public,” Barbee said in regards to his selection as the Board Administrator. “I’m looking forward to learning from the Board, the staff and the stakeholders to make sure we provide the best possible services and resources to our state registrants and members of the public.”

In his new role with the OSBEELS, Barbee will oversee the day-to-day operations of the agency and serve as a Board representative to external state departments and professional organizations, among other responsibilities.

“The Board is very excited to have Jason step into the Administrator Position. Jason’s skill sets in leadership, management and policy development are well suited for the OSBEELS in achieving its mission to protect life, health, and property.” Board President, Daren Cone.

Barbee earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from the University of Oregon before joining the state as an Income Tax Auditor with the Oregon Department of Revenue. Barbee remained with the Department of Revenue until 2013, gaining management experience and expanding his roles within various Special Program units, before transitioning to the Oregon Employment Department. He has been the Unemployment Insurance Division Deputy Director since 2015.

In his capacity as the Deputy Director, Barbee developed program policies, participated in strategic planning, assisted with the Division’s $8 million biennial budget preparations, and oversaw a unit comprised of 40 professionals.

Barbee’s professionalism, ability to lead a successful team, and legislative experience stood out to the Board during the recruitment process, which drew applications from across the country. The Board is excited to have Barbee join the OSBEELS as its Administrator and lead the agency in accomplishing its mission of regulating the practices of engineering, land surveying, photogrammetric mapping, and water right examination in the State as they relate to the welfare of the public in safeguarding life, health and property.

Barbee and his family live in Millersburg, OR. When he is not working, Barbee enjoys spending time with his family, which generally is in the form of him and his wife sitting on bleachers and watching their two high school children play sports. He also loves barbequing on his traeger and cheering on his alma mater, the University of Oregon Ducks.