Job Description:
The Oregon Water Resources Department is seeking two Senior Water Advisors to make an impact in addressing complex water challenges across Oregon. Are you a passionate and experienced senior level natural resources professional with a proven track record in equity focused high level collaboration and coordination to address sensitive and critical statewide issues? If so, we invite you to consider joining our team. Help us advance our mission of promoting and practicing responsible water management across Oregon!
Working Title: Senior Water Advisor
Classification: Natural Resource Specialist 5
Position Type: Permanent, Full Time
Representation: SEIU Represented
FLSA Status: Exempt, not eligible for OT or compensatory time, may be eligible for straight time with manager permission and based on the collective bargaining agreement.
Monthly Compensation: The monthly salary range before PERS* will be $6,322-$9,709 | after PERS* will be $6,763-$10,385.
*Please note there per the recent SEIU bargaining there will be a cost-of-living adjustment of 6.55% on December 1, 2024, to all union-represented employees. The rate above does not reflect this increase.
Work Locations offered: One position located in Northeastern Oregon [Pendleton] and one position located in Southeastern Oregon [Baker City or Bend]
Geographic areas of coverage for Northeastern Oregon would include the Umatilla basin and Southeastern Oregon would include the Harney Basin.
Relocation Expense: These positions may be eligible for relocation assistance for the successful candidate. The final amount offered will vary based on the location of the candidate.
Hybrid/Remote Work:Due to the nature of stakeholder engagement for this position, full time remote work is not possible as the position must be available to attend meetings in Salem, Oregon and around the state. Teleworking and in the office work schedule will be determined upon agreement and approval of supervisor. Hybrid (in the office and at remote work) is generally a standard offering for this position, though subject to supervisor approval.
About the Oregon Water Resources Department
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 Team
The Planning, Collaboration, and Investments (PCI) Division builds partnerships and incentivizes Oregonians to pursue integrated and innovative solutions for complex water challenges and an uncertain water future. The team works in support of the Department’s mission through adaptive planning, cooperative partnerships, strategic investments, accessible information, and effective coordination.
About the Positions
As a Senior Water Advisor, you will lead Department efforts in pursuit of solutions to complex water management challenges in coordination with other Department staff and various interests (i.e., tribes, stakeholder groups, communities, state/federal agencies, the public, etc.). These senior level staff positions will work on priority statewide issues as well as complex issues in priority basins. You will be a critical and valued member of the Planning, Collaboration, and Investments Division.
As water scarcity and uncertainty increase, the State of Oregon must work with partners to find ways to address complex water management challenges and meet both instream and out of steam needs. As an agency expert in negotiating a path forward on water solutions, you will:
- Develop recommendations, pursue water management solutions, negotiate on behalf of the agency, and manage projects on highly contentious or complicated aspects of water management in the assigned basin(s).
- Formulate and execute work plans for basin or agency priority project(s) and basins in a way that is transparent, inclusive, and professional and ensures strong coordination across agency sections and with external partners.
- Collaborate with tribes, state/federal agencies, various stakeholder interests, and the public and use conflict resolution techniques to make meaningful progress on various projects that help achieve the agency’s mission.
- Be a basin focused project lead and representative for WRD, creating trust and relationships with local resources while ensuring that proposed solutions are in line with Oregon Water Law, the Department Strategic Plan and Integrated Water Resources Strategy.
- Coordinate with other Divisions and Sections within the Department to meet project goals, timelines and maintain effective lines of communication.
- Engage with and build trust and relationships with those who live, work, or have an interest in the areas of the state in which you work.
You can view the full position description here.
Minimum Qualifications
Six years of experience in a natural resource program area. At least one year of the experience must be at a technical or professional level performing activities in a natural resource program such as researching and analyzing data, conducting investigations, applying pertinent laws and regulations, or coordinating and monitoring project activities; AND a Bachelor’s degree in a natural resource area;
· OR three additional years of related experience.
· A Master’s degree in a natural resource area will substitute for up to one year of the required experience. A Doctorate degree in a natural resource area will substitute for up to two years of the required experience.
Related experience includes:
Natural resources, environmental management, environmental justice, public and non-profit administration, regulatory compliance, project and portfolio management, leading a team in a statewide natural resources project and/or organizational and strategic development and/or developing policy solutions, which includes implementing complex conceptual policy decisions or legislation at a federal and/or state level This is not an all-inclusive list.
Preferred Qualifications
- Diplomacy and conflict resolution – You must be able to listen to and communicate with various parties on contentious issues, maintaining solid relationships. When tensions are high or opposing parties seem to have reached an impasse, you can employ conflict management techniques to facilitate resolution. Experience negotiating successfully on complex natural resource management topics is highly desired.
- Understanding of western water law and water management – A working understanding of water law and science is critical to understanding the complex legal, regulatory, and technical aspects of projects and programs, such as negotiation of tribal water rights settlements.
- Critical thinking skills – You have the ability to identify connections and generate ideas for navigating complex problems, evaluating the benefits and risks associated with different courses of action.
- Equity and environmental justice – You are informed and engaged with issues of equity and environmental justice and seek to continue to learn and grow in these areas.
- Excellent organization skills – You can keep track of project progress, timelines, deadlines, and deliverables, while also coordinating with project partners.
- Self-starter and team player – You possess the ability to work both independently and as part of a team to move projects forward.
- Effective Communication – You are able to communicate with a wide variety of audiences and be able to accurately distill highly technical and complex information (law, policy, and science).
We are most interested in finding the most qualified candidate for the job, and that candidate may not meet every one of our listed preferred qualifications. Paid and unpaid 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.
Working Conditions
These positions require a valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record. These positions may work remotely and/or in an office environment on a schedule agreed upon by the employee and supervisor. Overnight travel will be required within the region to attend meetings, develop relationships, learn about the basin and statewide water issues, etc. Overnight travel will be required across the state to attend meetings such as those of the Water Resources Commission, meetings with other Department staff in Salem, and meetings associated with statewide projects assigned to the individual. Time management is essential as well as excellent interpersonal skills to address various situations that may arise with employees, co-workers, and/or customers.
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 to 5% of the total premium.
- 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 Governor’s Leave 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
Please ensure to provide your resume and cover letter for full consideration.
- Provide a cover letter.
- Provide a resume.
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.
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.
Future Vacancies
This applicant pool may be used to fill additional vacancies as they occur over the next three (3) months.
Work Authorization
The Oregon Water Resources Department does not offer visa sponsorships. Within three days of hire, all applicants will be 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 resources under Resources. 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 Review Process
In addition to your related work experience and education, we will use both the minimum and desired 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.
