Assistant Watermaster (Natural Resource Specialist 2)
Assistant Watermaster (Natural Resource Specialist 2)
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$ 4622 - 7070
1 Vacancy
Job Description
Initial Posting Date:
05/15/2025Application Deadline:
06/03/2025Agency:
Water Resources DepartmentSalary Range:
$4622 $7070Position Type:
EmployeePosition Title:
Assistant Watermaster (Natural Resource Specialist 2)Job Description:
The Northwest Region Field Office is hiring a permanent fulltime Assistant Watermaster (Natural Resource Specialist 2 for our Hillsboro location!
Working Title: Assistant Watermaster
Classification: Natural Resource Specialist 2 (NRS2)
Position Type: Permanent Full Time
Representation: This position is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
FLSA Status: NonExempt eligible for overtime and compensatory time
Monthly Compensation: Natural Resource Specialist 2 $4662.00$7070.00 Before PERS* $4943.00$7562.00 After PERS*
Work Location: Hillsboro frequently in the field; with some hybrid/remote work options. Some instate travel is with infrequent overnight travel.1400 SW Walnut Street MS49 Hillsboro OR 97123.
Relocation Assistance: This position may be eligible for moving expenses for the successful candidate. The final amount offered will vary based on the location of the candidate.
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.
ForwardLooking We seek innovative and practical solutions to the water challenges of today and tomorrow.
The Oregon Water Resources Departments strategic priorities for are to:
Modernize our management of Oregons surface water and groundwater resources to meet instream and outofstream uses
Work to secure Oregons instream and outofstream water future in the face of increasing water scarcity
Foster a forwardlooking team dedicated to serving Oregonians with integrity and excellence.
About the position
The Assistant Watermaster role is critical in responding to water right disputes informational inquiries and complaints in a timely manner thus preventing potential loss of crops life or property and will be pivotal in assisting the Watermaster in responding to water distribution needs and enforcing water law.
This role will respond to distribution complaints and conflicts by researching water rights determining proper distribution and implementing required regulation under the general guidance and supervision of the Watermaster or Region Manager while maintaining a strong working knowledge of water law court decrees water right records property legal descriptions administrative rules agency policy and physical aspects of water rights. This position is responsible for preparing reports and evidence for Watermaster and Region Manager when formal enforcement procedures are needed. The person in this position will work with water users and require installation of measuring devices on significant diversions consistent with Department Goals.
This position will also assist the Watermaster in responding to groundwater complaints by compiling information relative to the complaint researching well information and working with the Departments hydrogeologists. This position will address complaints associated with alleged water use violations coordinate with State and local code and law enforcement authorities and review and compile data associated with water use and cannabis production sites through research and onsite investigations.
The Assistant Watermaster will also work in the field to collect and compile a variety of hydrologic data and will require knowledge of hydrographic techniques in all phases of streamflow record production. This position will work with surface water to make streamflow measurements of canals and streams and at gaging stations in compliance with measurement program standards; service maintain and repair gaging stations. This position will also handle groundwater including measurements of water levels in wells determine well location and ownership and tie well logs to the proper tax lot. This position will work with the Departments hydrogeologists to assist with ground water studies including initial assessment of data collection wells and collection of groundwater level data and assist and provide guidance to water users on the proper installation of measuring devices.
Another important duty of this position will be to assist the public in researching water right records well records and hydrographic records. Including preparing and maintaining summaries of hydrographic records on a computer database for distribution to the public.
Minimum Qualifications Natural Resource Specialist 2
Two years of experience related to natural resource management and a Bachelors degree inHydrology 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 Masters 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 that primarily include navigating agricultural GIS and field research activities may also be considered as relevant experience.
Preferred Qualifications
Technology Experience using ArcGIS SQL Python or other similar GIS database or programming languages and software is desirable but not . Familiarity with field data collection mobile GPS and tablets.
Communication Ability to deescalate situations and communicate controversial and complex subjects with community partners and the public both verbally and in writing. Facilitates working groups between state agencies and stakeholders providing technical assistance.
Excellent organization skills You can keep track of project progress timelines deadlines and deliverables while also coordinating with project partners.
Teamwork Watermasters work in a high paced field environment coordinating work with other field staff under the guidance of the Region Manager.
Conflict resolution Field Services staff manage the waters of the State through equitable distribution of education and enforcement. Experience managing interpersonal conflicts developing community relations and negotiation is preferred.
Natural resources Experience working with and in the natural resources field. A background in water resources and knowledge of water laws and water management is preferred.
Field work Experience operating and maintaining water measurement equipment conducting surveys performing streamflow measurements and using hand and power tools to achieve deliverables in the field is preferred. Familiarity with maps GPS and remote navigation are also preferred.
Statute and rules Demonstrated ability to read interpret and use statutes rules and policies related to natural resources management and apply these to achieve compliance with Oregon Water Law.
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
These positions require a valid drivers license and acceptable driving record. Work with people who often get irate when their water diversion works are regulated. This happens daily during times of water distribution and complaint investigation. Required to make streamflow measurements. Must tolerate wading in swift cold streams and work in environments with noxious weeds insects and varying climates. Depending on territory job may occasionally involve the use of snowshoes cross country skis allterrain vehicles boats or other field equipment. Occasionally conduct stream discharge measurements during flood conditions from bridges or stream banks. Is often alone in remote areas with little to no supervision. Occasionally lift up to 75 pounds.
Some Benefits of Working with us
We offer a competitive benefits package that includes:
PEBB Insurance with exceptional medical vision and dental plans with employees paying 15% 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.
Optional benefits (such as term life insurance longterm and shortterm disability longterm care health and dependent care flexible spending accounts enrollment in the OregonSavingsGrowth 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
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
Current State of Oregon employees must apply through your employee Workday account.
Important Information
PERS Salary Information
* NONPERS 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 jobspecific questions please contact our HR team at
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 I9 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 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.
Required Experience:
Unclear Seniority
Employment Type
Full-Time
