The Water Resources Department is seeking a Transfer Program Advisor! If you are passionate about advising and supporting a team in water management and conservation and thrive on providing program monitoring and providing technical assistance efficiently to maintain compliance with compassion and care, then we want to hear from you! 

Working Title:Transfer Program Advisor 

Classification: Natural Resource Specialist 4 (8504) 

Position Type: Permanent, Full Time

Representation: This position is represented by the SEIU 

FLSA Status: Exempt and not eligible for overtime and compensatory time

Monthly Compensation: The monthly salary range before PERS* will be $6,123 - $9,409 | after PERS* will be $6,549 - $10,066 

Work Location: North Mall Office Building, 725 Summer St. NE Suite A, Salem Oregon 97301.  

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-home 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.

2019-2024 Strategic Plan

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 Division 

The Water Right Services Division is responsible for the evaluation of all water right, transfer, extensions of time, 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 involve a legal property right and may involve litigation in Oregon or federal court. 

About the Position 

This position is housed in the Transfer and Conservation Section (TACS) located within the Water Right Services Division. TACS is responsible for administering the transfer, district transfer, allocation of conserved water, flow restoration, water management and conservation, and reclaimed water use programs.   

This position is critical to the department for leading and implementing the non-district transfer program, which must be function in the most effective, efficient, and timely manner possible, while striving to ensure accuracy, technical excellence, and outstanding customer service.  

The person in this position is responsible for the day-to-day support and leadership of the Transfer Program and this includes reviewing and evaluating program materials and documents created by Department transfer staff to ensure all transfer applications are processed in compliance with Oregon water laws, administrative rules, and policies of the Water Resources Commission. This position effectively recommends approval or denial of transfer applications and prepares reports, orders, and other recommendations for the Section Manager, Division Administrator, Director, and Commission.  This position acts as the agency’s expert on water right transfers in Oregon and is responsible for identifying and providing assistance on policy issues related to the water right transfer program. 

This position assists in the development of legislation, policies, proposed regulations, and processes related to the transfer program, and is frequently called upon to review legislative concepts and bills during legislative sessions to analyze their potential effect on agency programs. The person in this position also supports agency legislative liaison staff in responding to inquiries from legislators, often requiring the gathering of data and information, and researching existing laws, rules, and agency policies, and historical record to assist in developing agency response. 

This position also serves as the State’s expert witness on transfer-related topics and issues in contested case hearing or trial proceedings when needed. This work includes testifying in hearings and trials, reviewing written testimony prepared by Department of Justice legal counsel to ensure accuracy of described elements pertaining to subject transfer applications, standard practices, and agency policies and interpretations.  The person in this position also attends weekly meetings with the protest coordinator and leadership to discuss current and potential legal issues, particularly those related to transfers. 

While part of this position may be done independently, the person in this position must spend a substantial amount of time working closely with transfer caseworkers (e.g., training, reviewing, and evaluating work, providing ongoing guidance and feedback, facilitating discussions, and meeting regularly to reinforce program requirements and policies). The person in this position must also proactively collaborate in a productive and inclusive manner with staff responsible for other programs within TACS and throughout the agency to ensure well-informed and coordinated decision making.  Considerable contact with applicants, applicant’s agents/consultants, the public, and other technical staff is necessary to provide interpretation of program policies and regulations.  

This position frequently performs analysis and research, interprets laws, rules, and policy, and provides complex technical or policy interpretations to develop strategies for solving difficult natural resource-oriented problems. When needed, this position also coordinates program activities to bring current practices into alignment with existing or changing laws, rules, and policies. 

The complete position description can be viewed here. 

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).

Working Conditions

This position is located in Salem, with some remote telework flexibility. Work conditions consist primarily of desk work located at a computer terminal for long periods of time, including a considerable amount of reading, researching, and analyzing large documents, statutes, administrative rules, and existing policies and guidance. The position may require occasional travel within the state, including overnight travel. This position occasionally involves working with irate people and may involve the ability to explain difficult concepts using verbal and written communication skills. Occasional lifting of up to 30 pounds may be required. 

Minimum Qualifications - Natural Resource Specialist 4 (8504) 

Four years of experience in water resources, hydrology, government policy work, community engagement or navigating complex laws and complex program management. 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 (pertinent) experience. 

 
A master's degree in (specify natural resource area(s)) will substitute for up to one year of the required experience. 

 
A Doctorate degree in (specify natural resource area(s)) will substitute for up to two years of the required experience. 

Relevant experience could include experience in water resources, hydrology, government policy work, community engagement or navigating complex laws and complex program management, researching and analyzing data, conducting investigations, applying pertinent laws and regulations, or coordinating and monitoring project activities 

Preferred Qualifications 

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.

• Applied knowledge and experience in Oregon water law and water management – A working understanding of Oregon water law, particularly those related to water right transfers, and general water management practices is critical to understanding the complex legal, regulatory, and technical aspects of the Transfer program. Experience analyzing, interpreting, and applying administrative rules is essential. 

• Consults and advises around complex transfer program issues – You have experience leading a program team of professionals toward a common goal and developing technical guidance, policy, and procedures and providing training where needed. 

• Effective interpersonal communication skills and relationship building – You are able to clearly and concisely communicate with a wide variety of audiences and able to accurately distill highly technical and complex information, and tactfully handle difficult conversations or disagreements with applicants, agents, and other agency partners and stakeholders. You also have the ability to facilitate meetings and excel in public speaking techniques.  

• Critical thinking skills – You can identify connections and generate ideas for navigating complex problems. You are able to analyze facts and data to reach a conclusion. 

• Technical writing skills – You have experience clearly and concisely conveying complex technical information in written form, including general correspondence and the preparation of findings of fact and conclusions of law as part of a final order. 

• Mathematical skills – You can accurately perform basic mathematical tasks, including water related conversions and formulas. 

• Mapping skills – You have experience deciphering property legal descriptions and using the public land survey system. 

• Program administration – You have experience coordinating and implementing a statewide program. 

• Administrative legal proceedings – You have experience preparing for and participating in contested case hearing or other legal proceedings related to regulatory administrative laws. 

• Legislative activities – You have experience reviewing and analyzing legislative concepts and bills, providing input related to potential effects on existing laws and policies. 

• 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 project management and organizational skills – You have experience managing large projects and programs, and you possess the ability to break down large projects into manageable pieces, prepare a schedule with measurable goals, track the project’s progress, timelines, deadlines, and deliverables, while also coordinating and communicating effectively 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. 

• Positive attitude and motivational skills – You approach your work in an optimistic and positive manner and have the ability to motivate others to achieve their goals and perform at their best. 

Application Requirements

1. Provide a brief cover letter indicating why you are interested in and are a good candidate for the NRS4 position. 

2. Provide a brief resume indicating your experience pertinent to the required and desired qualifications in this announcement.

If you do not provide both a cover letter and resume, your application may be disqualified. 

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.