What are the responsibilities and job description for the Natural Resource Specialist 4 Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area (LUB GWMA) position at Department of Agriculture?
Initial Posting Date:
03/31/2025
Application Deadline:
04/13/2025
Agency:
Department of Agriculture
Salary Range:
$6,123 - $9,409
Position Type:
Employee
Position Title:
Natural Resource Specialist 4 Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area (LUB GWMA)
Job Description:
Are you a water quality expert with knowledge of the challenges and opportunities of working in a regulatory environment? Are you skilled at engaging with industry, private landowners, and regulatory agencies to implement state and/or federal regulations? If you are excited about working collaboratively with farmers, ranchers, and other partners to ensure water quality on agricultural lands in Oregon, then consider joining the ODA an submit your application for the Natural Resource Specialist 4 Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area (LUB GWMA/IWRS Lead) for ODA’s Agricultural Water Quality Program.
Oregon Department of Agriculture – Who we are:
At the
Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA)
, employees work with a dynamic and supportive team of mission-focused individuals tasked with ensuring healthy natural resources, environment, and economy for Oregonians now and in the future through inspection and certification, regulation, and promotion of agriculture and food. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are embedded in the Department of Agriculture core values. Employees at all levels of the agency work together to foster fairness, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Learn more about what we do here
.
What you’ll be doing:
This position focuses on the prevention and control of agricultural pollution of surface and groundwater resources. In this role, you will support the implementation of agricultural water quality management area plans and initiatives, and compliance with area and agricultural channel drainage maintenance rules. This position is responsible for:
- Lead the Program’s activities related the LUB GWMA and IWRS/placed based planning.
- Coordinate with Regional Water Quality Specialists and Soil and Water Conservation Districts to ensure participation in the LUB GWMA and IWRS.
- Work with the Program’s staff to develop tools, procedures, and guidelines to support ODA’s role in implementation in the LUB GWMA and IWRS.
- Providing training to all new staff and ongoing training to staff related to groundwater related issues and IWRS place based planning needs.
- Click here to view a full description of this position.
- The Natural Resource Specialist 4( a permanent full-time position, located in the Hermiston field office.
- Click here to view a full description of this position.
Working Conditions:
This is a permanent full-time position, located in Pendleton/Hermiston (area), Oregon. This is a hybrid position which allows for flexibility in schedule and offers remote work when possible and available. The employee will be required to report into the Salem Headquarters on a regular basis.
Will require regular driving and travel around the state to attend meetings, conduct inspections, and field work on farms and ranches in all types of weather conditions. Some work may need to be conducted during evening hours and on weekends. Work locations away from the office will vary, including a variety of business and public locations. Driving great distances across the entire state of Oregon in all weather conditions and some overnight travel is required of this position. Out-of-state travel to professional meetings or regional conferences may be required. Occasionally deals with hostile or angry individuals.
What we’re looking for?
To Qualify for the Position, You Need:
- A Bachelor's Degree in agriculture, environmental science, rangeland 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.
- A Master's degree in agriculture, environmental science, rangeland science, or other related degree fields, will substitute for up to one year of the required experience.
- A Doctorate degree in agriculture, environmental science, rangeland science, or other related degree fields, will substitute for up to two years of the required experience.
- A valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record.
Requested Skills (Desired attributes):
You do not need to have all of the skills below to be eligible for this position. Please let us know which of these skills you do have by demonstrating them in your application.
- Understanding or groundwater hydrology and agronomy.
- Excellent communication skills to facilitate and negotiate solutions to complex regulatory issues.
- Proven ability to build partnerships across diverse community and stakeholder groups and interests.
- Familiarity with interpreting Oregon Revised Statutes and Oregon Administrative Rules, federal laws, procedures, principles, and regulations.
- Experience in development of program rules and policies and long and short-range goals.
- Leadership experience, including principles and practices of employee relations and program management. Proven experience fostering teamwork, collaboration, and cooperation among peers and direct reports; experience in coaching, mentoring, and motivating staff.
- Knowledgeable of working in a Microsoft Teams environment.
- Knowledgeable of the agricultural sectors in the state of Oregon
- Ability to speak a second language beyond English; a bilingual differential is available to employees where there is a business need for the use of a language other than English (Spanish preferred)
Projected Recruitment Timeline
Recruitment Closes: April 13, 2025
- 1st Round Interview may start: April 23, 2025
- 2nd Round if needed may start: TBD
How to apply:
Required: Attach a cover letter and a resume to your application. Demonstrate how you meet the qualifications and requested skills in your application. Applications without both requested documents attached will not move forward in the recruitment process.
- Ensure your application shows your relevant work experience and/or related education; this may be in the form of a filled-out application and/or through an attached resume.
- Ensure your cover letter includes specific examples of how your background and experience relate to this position. Your cover letter may be addressed to the hiring manager Kevin Fenn.
- Upon submitting your application, please be sure to check your Workday account for additional tasks to complete such as questionnaires and to request veteran’s preferences (if applicable).
What’s in it for you
The opportunity to work in a productive and creative environment where no two days are ever the same! We offer a competitive benefits package including comprehensive
medical, vision, and dental benefits
for employees and their qualified family members, as well as paid sick leave, vacation leave, personal leave, and, 11 paid holidays
a year. In addition, we offer membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)
, deferred compensation
, and the opportunity to potentially receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
. In addition to standard medical benefits and employee leave, the state also provides additional optional benefits, such as basic life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, deferred compensation savings program, and flexible spending accounts for health care and childcare expenses. More information is available from the Public Employees Benefit Board
.
Additional Information:
- This position is represented by SEIU.
- Current state employees, please apply through your employee Workday account.
- Per the Pay Equity Law passed in 2017, an equal pay analysis will be conducted to determine the compensation of the successful candidate. The analysis will be based on the relevant experience, education, training, and certifications documented in the application materials.
- United States Employment Eligibility: The Oregon Department of Agriculture does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, all applicants will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security's Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States. The Oregon Employment Department is an E-Verify employer. If you are the successful candidate, you must present your I-9acceptable documents(See page 3) for employment verification.
This recruitment may be used to fill current and future Permanent, Limited Duration, Job Rotation and Temporary vacancies as they occur.
Questions/Need Help?
If you have questions about the recruitment or need an accommodation for the recruitment process, please email to:
oda.recruitment@oda.oregon.gov
or call 503-986-4584.
