Initial Posting Date: 09/17/2024
Application Deadline:10/06/2024
Agency: Water Resources Department
Salary Range: $4,338.00 – $6,635.00
Position Type: Employee
Position Title: Caseworkers (Natural Resource Specialist 2) Multiple positions!
Job Description:
Our Water Right Services Division is seeking two Caseworkers (Natural Resource Specialist 2) to support the Transfer and Conservation section and Water Rights section. If you have strong attention to detail, strength in providing technical review and customer service in a natural resource program, then this may be the position for you!
Working Title: Caseworkers (Two positions)
Classification: Natural Resource Specialist 2 (8502)
Position Type: Permanent, Full Time
Representation: These positions are represented by the SEIU
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt, eligible for overtime and compensatory time
Monthly Compensation: The monthly salary range before PERS* will be $4,338– $6,635 Monthly | $4,639– $7,097 Monthly after PERS*
Work Location: North Mall Office Building, 725 Summer St. NE Suite A, Salem Oregon 97301
The successful candidate may be eligible to work remotely part-time (hybrid) on a schedule agreed upon by the manager and employee. Caseworkers are expected to work at least 20 percent of their time (one day a week) from the Salem office or more frequently if necessary to meet business operations or customer service needs.
About our Agency
The Oregon Water Resources Department is committed to creating a workplace culture that understands and appreciates differences among people and is welcoming and inclusive to all. By fostering fairness and equity in its work culture, the Department strives to improve services for all Oregonians. We acknowledge that not all people have experienced equitable opportunities or fair treatment. We are committed to increasing our awareness and understanding of historic injustices and building a foundation for meaningful change. We value a wide range of professional and lived experiences, and people of underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Our Vision
The vision of the Oregon Water Resources Department is to assure sufficient and sustainable water supplies are available to meet current and future needs.
Core Values
- Integrity – We are accountable for all that we do. We act with honesty and promote transparency.
- Service – We are dedicated to providing outstanding service and treating everyone equitably in our management and stewardship of state resources.
- Technical Excellence – We base our resource decisions on law, science, and expertise.
- Teamwork – We are united in our mission, relying on one another and working together with the communities we serve.
- Forward-Looking – We seek innovative and practical solutions to the water challenges of today and tomorrow.
The Oregon Water Resources Department’s strategic priorities for 2019-2024 are to:
- Modernize our management of Oregon’s surface water and groundwater resources to meet instream and out-of-stream uses.
- Work to secure Oregon’s instream and out-of-stream water future in the face of increasing water scarcity.
- Foster a forward-looking team dedicated to serving Oregonians with integrity and excellence.
About our Division
The Water Right Services Division is responsible for the evaluation of all water right, transfer, extension of time for both permits and transfers, instream lease, allocation of conserved water and limited license applications. In addition, the Division administers the following water right-related programs: water right certification; permit cancellation; adjudication of pre-1909 vested water rights; water management and conservation planning; hydroelectric licensing; water right information and customer service; and water right program and policy development. The Division also shares administration of the Deschutes Basin Groundwater Mitigation Program.
The Division is responsible for public notice of applications and for responding to public-interest inquiries and concerns. The Division receives and evaluates comments and protests concerning proposed water uses. The Division must ensure coordination with local governments and other state and federal agencies concerning proposed water allocations. Final determination of water right applications involves a legal property right and may involve litigation in Oregon or federal court.
Job Description
The position assigned to the Transfer and Conservation Section will be responsible for evaluating and processing transfer, groundwater registration modification, and permit amendment applications consistent with applicable laws, rules, and policies of the department. This position prepares final orders documenting technical findings and recommendations to approve or deny an application for the Director’s review and approval. This position may process reimbursement authority transfer files and prepare estimates of the cost and processing time needed to process potential reimbursement authority transfer files.
The position assigned to the Water Rights Section will be responsible for evaluating and processing water right applications for new permits consistent with applicable laws, rules, and policies of the department. This position recommends approval or denial of applications and prepares reports of technical findings and recommendations for Director review and approval.
Both caseworker positions will be responsible for recommending and helping in the implementation of process improvements. These positions will also respond to inquiries from the public and other interested parties, often explaining technical findings and providing interpretation of program policies and administrative rules in writing and by telephone and will serve as a backup in other section customer service areas as needed.
These positions will perform work with our core values in mind. The people in these positions must perform duties in a manner which promotes customer service and harmonious working relationships, including treating all persons courteously and respectfully; engage in effective team participation through a willingness to assist and support co-workers, supervisors, and other work related associations; develop good working relationships with Division and agency staff through active participation in accomplishing the agency mission and resolving problems in a constructive manner; and contribute to a positive, respectful, and productive work environment.
Minimum Required Qualifications – Natural Resource Specialist 2
Two years of experience in Hydrology, Geology, Civil Engineering, or other natural resource program area, AND a Bachelor’s degree in Hydrology, Geology, Civil Engineering, or other natural resource program area, OR three additional years of related (pertinent) experience;
OR
One year of experience in Hydrology, Geology, Civil Engineering, or other natural resource program area, and a Master’s degree in Hydrology, Geology, Civil Engineering, or other natural resource program area;
OR
A Doctorate degree in Hydrology, Geology, Civil Engineering, or other natural resource program area.
Preferred Qualifications
We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may not meet every one of our listed preferred qualifications. Lived experience may count towards the preferred qualifications. If you are excited about this position, we encourage you to apply. If you are unsure as to whether you meet the preferred qualifications of this position, please contact us to discuss your application.
- Basic math and map-reading skills
- Proven ability to manage multiple files and deadlines (potentially dozens) at once
- Strong customer service, interpersonal skills and relationship building
- Demonstrated record of responsiveness to internal and external stakeholders
- Experience applying statutes and administrative rules to written products
- Effective verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively to move projects forward
Working Conditions
Office work environment including several hours per day on a computer to generate water right review documents as assigned. A considerable amount of time may also be spent researching and analyzing documents as part of assigned water right review duties. In-person and virtual meetings. These positions will regularly field phone calls and emails from internal and external stakeholders, some of whom may be stressed. Occasional lifting up to 25 lbs.
What’s in it for you?
In addition to offering a culture of care and inclusivity and working among a highly skilled team to dive into meaningful work, we also offer a competitive benefits package that includes:
- Exceptional medical, vision and dental plans with employees paying 1-5% of the total rate.
- Leave accrual starting at 8 hours of sick and 8 hours of vacation leave per month, with your vacation leave accruals increasing every 5 years.
- Access to an additional four days of discretionary leave – 3 days of personal business leave and one day of Special Leave to use at your discretion each year.
- Eleven paid holidays per year.
- Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), including a pension and employer contributions to the Individual Account Program.
- Optional benefits (such as term life insurance, long-term and short-term disability, long-term care, health and dependent care flexible spending accounts, enrollment in the Oregon Savings Growth Plan, a deferred compensation program with a wide variety of investment options).
- The opportunity to receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (must qualify).
Application Requirements
- Provide a brief (no more than 1 page) cover letter indicating why you are interested in, and a good candidate for, the Caseworker (NRS2) position at the Oregon Water Resources Department.
- Provide a brief (no more than 2 pages) resume indicating your experience pertinent to the minimum required and preferred qualifications identified in this announcement.
- Incomplete applications will be disqualified.
Important: Please monitor both your email and Workday account for updates regarding this recruitment. You may be asked to submit additional information after initial application. If you have questions about this job posting, please contact Human Resources at WRD_DL_HR@water.oregon.gov.
Current State of Oregon employees must apply through your employee Workday account.
Important Information
PERS Salary Information
*NON-PERS ELIGIBLE (Includes most new hires to state government.) Employees typically gain PERS eligibility after six months of state service.
PERS ELIGIBLE (Typically current or former employees of Oregon state or local government, public schools, universities, etc.) The salary listed will state base monthly salary, which is BEFORE PERS.
Future Vacancies
This applicant pool may be used to fill additional vacancies as they occur over the next six (6) months.
Accommodations
If you need assistance to participate in the application process, including an accommodation request under the American with Disabilities Act, we invite you to contact the recruiter for accommodation requests under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), application questions or job-specific questions please contact our HR team at wrd_dl_hr@water.oregon.gov.
Work Authorization
The Oregon Water Resources Department does not offer visa sponsorships. Within three days of hire, all applicants are required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States.
Veterans . If you are an eligible veteran and you meet the qualifications, veterans’ preference points will be added to your score.
For more information on veterans’ preference points visit www.oregonjobs.org and select Veterans Preference in Hiring under Careers with the State. Please do not attach veteran documentation to your initial application, after you have applied you will be sent a task in your Workday account to provide your veteran documentation at that time.
Application Materials
In addition to your related work experience and education, we will use both the minimum and preferred qualifications above to determine whom to interview. Please make sure all your relevant qualifications are clearly demonstrated in your application materials. Your application materials may be evaluated on spelling, grammar, punctuation, attention to detail, and presentation.
The Oregon Water Resources Department is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer Committed to Workforce Diversity.
