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Senior Water Advisor (Natural Resource Specialist 5)

Senior Water Advisor (Natural Resource Specialist 5)

State of OregonClackamas, US
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Job Description :

The Oregon Water Resources Department is seeking a Senior Water Advisor 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 overtime 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 $6,736-$10,345 | after PERS
  • will be $7,206-$11,065.

Work Location and Remote Work Options : This position is focused on basin issues in Eastern Oregon and is expected to meet in-person with partners, community members, government agencies, and tribal partners on a regular basis in that region. Travel to Salem for staff meetings or other business needs will also be required.

The central work location may be any of our regional offices located throughout the state, or other viable location as determined by the department.  Relocation assistance may be available for candidates moving to a location within reasonable commuting distance to Bend, Baker City, Pendleton, or Klamath Falls.

This position is eligible for hybrid remote / office work. A remote work agreement may be established between the successful candidate and the supervisor.

This job announcement deadline is set to close on Sunday, August 31st at 11 : 59 p.m. PST, but this deadline may be extended to allow for additional qualified candidates to apply.

About the

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

    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 Position

    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.). This position will focus on complex water issues in Eastern Oregon and may work on priority issues in other areas of the state. 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.

    • 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 may include :

  • natural resources with a focus in environmental management and environmental justice
  • public and non-profit administration
  • regulatory compliance
  • project and portfolio management,
  • leading a team in a statewide natural resources project
  • organizational and strategic development
  • 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, building and 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 understand, distill, and convey 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

    This position is focused on basin issues in Eastern Oregon and is expected to meet in-person with partners, community members, government agencies, and tribal partners on a regular basis. This position requires a valid driver's license and an acceptable driving record. This position may work remotely and / or in an office environment on a schedule agreed upon by the employee and supervisor. Frequent travel, including 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 that includes :

  • PEBB Insurance, exceptional 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 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 , a deferred compensation program with a wide variety of investment options).
  • The opportunity to receive loan forgiveness under the (must qualify).

    • Application Requirements

    Please ensure to provide your resume and cover letter for full consideration.

  • Provide a cover letter.
  • Provide a resume.

    • 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

    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 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 who 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. 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.

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    Resource Specialist • Clackamas, US