Initial Posting Date: 08/21/2025
Application Deadline: 09/07/2025
Agency: Water Resources Department
Salary Range: $4,622 – $7,070
Position Type: Employee
Position Title: Hydrotech (Natural Resource Specialist 2)
Job Description:
Working Title: Hydrotech
Classification: Natural Resource Specialist 2 (NRS2)
Position Type: Permanent, Full-Time
Representation: Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Represented
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt, eligible for overtime in the form of compensatory time with manager pre-approval
Monthly Compensation: Natural Resource Specialist 2, Salary Range 24, $4,662.00-$7,070.00 Before PERS* | $4,943.00-$7,562.00 After PERS*
Work Location and Hybrid/On-site Expectation: 3125 Crosby Avenue, Klamath Falls, OR field office. This position works primarily onsite, frequently in the field; with some hybrid/remote work options. Some in-state travel is required with infrequent overnight travel.
This job announcement deadline is set to close on Sunday, September 7th at 11:59 p.m. PST, but this deadline may be extended to allow for additional qualified candidates to apply.
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 our Team/Division
The Klamath Falls OWRD office serves as the hub of water management for the Klamath Basin and Lake County, bringing together a dedicated field team and agency specialists in hydrology, hydrogeology, and water management. Our office fosters a friendly and open culture, where collaboration is key. We often engage in casual, lively, open-office discussions to navigate the complexities of water management, drawing on the diverse expertise of our team to develop thoughtful and effective solutions.
Working within the Field Services Division provides the opportunity to:
- Pursue water use solutions to help protect public safety by ensuring wells are constructed to appropriate standards.
- Help modernize management of Oregon’s groundwater resources and secure Oregon’s water future in the face of increasing water scarcity and uncertainty.
- Find satisfaction in tackling water use issues by collecting detailed data, accurately documenting observations, and helping prepare enforcement documents to gain compliance.
- Support a sustainable water future for Oregon’s economy, environment, and communities.
- Join an organization with smart, driven co-workers who care about public service, water resources, and their co-workers, and who welcome new ideas.
- Collect data that will be used to help create policy, improve on laws and statutes, and assist in guiding OWRD as it manages this crucial resource for future generations.
About the Position
The purpose of this position is to collect and process the hydrologic data necessary for managing Oregon’s water resources including stream flow, precipitation, and other climatic information. It also includes quality assurance checking and transmitting data to and from the headquarter office for all stations located within their region of responsibility.
This position works closely with the Hydrographics Section in Salem and serves as lead staff in Eastern Oregon for equipment procurement, install, and troubleshooting, also providing training on the use of equipment including acoustic Doppler and temperature monitoring systems. This position works with other technical and professional staff in all aspects of the duties. This position may also assist the division in carrying out high priority projects such as flow improvement strategies. This position also provides technical assistance to Watermasters and other field staff within their region regarding hydrographic efforts and other routine and necessary tasks.
A day in the life will look like:
- Conduct streamflow measurements at stream gages using flowmeters and Aquacalcs at instream water right locations, or other locations as required to maintain accurate stage-discharge relationships at gauged locations and to assist watermasters in their duties.
- Program and operate data loggers to agency standard parameters to collect stage data at stream gages. Download data onto laptop computers or PDA’s for transport to office.
- Install GOES satellite data transmitters and align in coordination with Hydrographic/Measurement Section.
- Conduct safety inspections at gages. Report safety concerns to regional safety officer. Resolve safety concerns as is appropriate.
- Responsible for procurement, installation, and troubleshooting of water measuring and temperature monitoring equipment suitable for gaging stations in Eastern Oregon. Also serve as a first point of contact for Hydrographic Technicians regarding equipment install and troubleshooting.
- Train Eastern Oregon staff on the use of acoustic Doppler systems. Develop protocols for temperature monitoring equipment install and operation.
- Develop and maintain tracking logs for each stream gage to ensure that data is reported to the Hydrographic/Measurement Section on a regular schedule and is complete.
- Log in measurement notes and calculate total discharge measured.
- Train department and locally funded staff in the collection of hydrological data.
Minimum Qualifications
Two years of experience related to natural resource management, and a Bachelor’s degree in Hydrology, Geology, Civil Engineering, or other natural resource area, or three additional years of pertinent experience;
OR
One year of experience in Hydrology, Geology, Civil Engineering, or other natural resource area, and a Master’s degree in Hydrology, Geology, Civil Engineering, or other natural resource area.
Pertinent experience must include activities such as:
Gathering and analyzing natural resource data and/or coordinating monitoring efforts for a natural resource program; and
Providing technical assistance to the public in a natural resource program explaining laws, rules, and regulations, answering questions, help the public navigate and comply with agency procedures. Positions that primarily include navigating agricultural, GIS, and field research activities may also be considered as relevant experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience collecting Hydrologic data, including capturing streamflow measurements and field data collection.
- Experience installing and operating data loggers, bubbler systems, or other field equipment
- High level of accuracy and proficiency in data entry and analysis.
- Experience conducting trainings on highly technical equipment operation and installing field equipment as needed to capture results.
- Excellent communication skills and ability to disseminate highly technical data to the general public.
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
Involves travel with occasional overnight stays; must have valid driver’s license and a good driving record; requires occasional lifting and carrying of up to 75 lbs; involves walking over rough terrain, through fields, along stream banks, etc; must tolerate wading in swift, cold streams and work from cable cars suspended over rivers. Required to make stream flood flow measurements. Is often alone in remote areas. Work at times may include inclement weather with hazardous driving conditions. Investigations can be met with hostility and personal threats.
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:
- PEBB Insurance with 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.
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.
