Initial Posting Date: 07/16/2025
Application Deadline: 07/29/2025
Agency: Water Resources Department
Salary Range: $6,123 – $9,409
Position Type: Employee
Position Title: Portfolio & Policy Analyst (Operations and Policy Analyst 3)
Job Description:
The Oregon Water Resources Department is seeking a high impact individual in Portfolio & Policy Analysis who can both implement the development of a new portfolio management approach and provide analysis and actionable recommendations on water policy that advances the agency’s mission. If you are a strong communicator, devoted toproject development and the implementation of sustainable water resources and management policies, we hope you’ll apply!
Working Title: Portfolio & Policy Analyst
Classification: Operations and Policy Analyst 3
Position Type: Permanent, Full Time
Representation: This position is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
FLSA Status: Exempt, not eligible for overtime and compensatory time
Monthly Compensation: Salary Range 30, Base salary, before PERS $6,123-$9,409.00 | salary after PERS $6,549.00-$10,066.00
Work Location: North Mall Office Building, 725 Summer St. NE Suite A, Salem Oregon 97301
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 approximately 1-2 overnight trips per month, may vary based on business need. 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.
Our Mission
The Department’s mission is to serve the public by practicing and promoting responsible water management through two key goals:
- To directly address Oregon’s water supply needs
- To restore and protect streamflows and watersheds in order to ensure the long-term sustainability of Oregon’s ecosystems, economy, and quality of life
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 the Section
The Director’s Office Policy Section is responsible for supporting and executing the work of the Director, Deputy Director, and Water Resources Commission, working across divisions to research issues, manage special projects, resolve complaints, and identify solutions. The Director’s Office Policy Section leads agency efforts related to and provides expertise in: water policy; legislative and rulemaking processes; public records; tribal, governmental, and stakeholder relations; and agency-wide communications and outreach. The section is also responsible for leading development and implementation of the Integrated Water Resources Strategy, a framework for improving our understanding of Oregon’s water resources and meeting our instream and out-of-stream needs. The section also provides coordination and support for emergency response efforts. The Policy Section operates as a team to ensure that all functions of the section are completed efficiently and effectively as well as to distribute workloads evenly. In addition, the team is highly encouraged to share constructive ideas to identify the best outcomes, peer-review work, and help one another in completing projects
About the Position
The primary purpose of the position is to develop and manage all aspects of the Water Resources Project Portfolio Management. This includes developing the reporting mechanisms, building out reports, dashboards and facilitating and presenting outcomes and progress to a variety of stakeholders, which includes the public and executive leadership.
This position will also provide policy analysis and development for the agency concerning water policy, internal operations, rulemaking, project management and actionable recommendations for implementations.
This position will also draft and manage rulemaking processes, interface with agency executive team, and collaborate with stakeholders and the public to solicit input on agency policies, programs, and proposals.
To see the full position description please click here.
Minimum Qualifications – Operations and Policy Analyst 3
A Bachelor’s Degree in Business or Public Administration, Behavioral or Social Sciences, Finance, Political Science or any degree demonstrating the capacity for the knowledge and skills; and four years professional-level evaluative, analytical and planning work.
OR;
Any combination of experience and education equivalent to seven years of experience that typically supports the knowledge and skills for the classification, which may include portfolio project management, policy analysis for a public agency, policy development, research, and rulemaking. Program management involving partners and stakeholder engagement. Statute and rule interpretation and compliance and policy monitoring.
Preferred Qualifications
- Expert Project Manager– You have the applied knowledge and demonstrated experience to take conceptual information and limited data points and independently and collaboratively create the foundation for a portfolio of projects. As a project manager, you can create metrics, dashboards and reports to manage the entire project and report out to executive level and public audiences in written, visual, and verbal formats.
- Effective Self-Management – Ability to do work independently, manage deadlines and complete tasks autonomously, with an equal ability to jump into collaboration and problem solving with team members kindly and effectively to move projects and tasks forward.
- Excellent communication and facilitation skills – You can confidently and effectively speak, write, and influence others by engaging with the audience and adjusting communication methods to ensure understanding and clearly defined needs.
- Excellent organization skills – You have an expert level ability develop and keep track of projects and their progress, timelines, deadlines, and deliverables, while also coordinating with project partners.
- Statute and rules – You have demonstrated ability to accurately read, interpret, and use statutes, rules, and policies related to natural resources management and apply these to achieve compliance.
- Evaluative, Inductive, and Deductive Reasoning Skills – You use curiosity and creativity to gather information, make reasoned conclusions, evaluate options, and draft recommendations for new or improved policies, procedures, and workflows to address the goals of the agency.
- Professional-level writing– Demonstrated ability to draft, proof-read, seek feedback, incorporate and complete professional level documents and presentations within established timelines and ready for executive-level review.
- Dedicated to ongoing improvement – You are eager to listen, reflect, and incorporate feedback into your work and professional development.
- 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.
Note: 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. 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.
Working Conditions
Periodic travel will be necessary, including overnight travel. Travel may include but is not limited to field tours to learn about agency programs, policy and workgroup meetings, Commission meetings, rules advisory committee meetings, Legislative hearings and meetings with the public, water partners, and elected officials. Some meetings will require overnight travel. Work will include facilitating meetings with the general public, stakeholders and public officials, facilitating public meetings, and conducting public presentations. This position may occasionally interact with the media, conducting interviews via phone, video, email, or in-person. This position is expected to work with other sections of the agency and develop strong and effective working relationships to support the agency’s mission and priorities. Occasional trips to the Oregon State Capitol may be necessary, including attending meetings at Capitol hearing rooms, and legislative offices.
What’s in it for you?
We 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).
- You can find a summary of employee benefits here: Benefits Memo.pdf (oregon.gov)
Application Requirements
1. Provide a brief cover letter indicating why you are interested in and are a good candidate for the Portfolio & Policy Analyst position.
2. Provide a brief resume indicating your experience pertinent to the required and desired qualifications in this announcement.
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.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage
The use of outside resources such as Artificial Intelligence software during the application process (cover letter and resume) and applicant skill assessments, examinations, and/or interviews is prohibited unless otherwise stated by the hiring agency. Unauthorized use of outside resources during the hiring process will result in immediate disqualification.
The Oregon Water Resources Department is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer Committed to Workforce Diversity.
