Natural Resource Specialist ; Rangeland Health Specialist

Initial Posting Date: 02/24/2026

Final date to receive applications: 03/08/2026

Agency: Department of Agriculture

Salary Range: $5,458 - $8,352

Position Type: Employee

Position Title: Natural Resource Specialist 3 (Rangeland Health Specialist)

The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) is seeking to hire a well-qualified Natural Resource Specialist 3 (Rangeland Health Specialist) to help support The Noxious Weed Control Program. If you have experience with multi-jurisdictional resource management, and are knowledgeable about western rangelands, please apply today!

As a Rangeland Health Specialist, you will be responsible for assisting with planning, implementation and coordination of noxious weed management activities for noxious weed species, with an emphasis on invasive annual grasses. In this role you will:

• Collaborate with partners and cooperators to

• Identify and pursue funding opportunities for collaborative projects

• Act as a point of contact for the agency regarding invasive annual grass and rangeland health

• Serve as a regional and statewide resource/liaison for industry stakeholders, state and federal agency partners and the public

• Working conditions include but are not limited to:
  Driving great distances in all weather conditions and some overnight travels are sometimes required of this position. Employees regularly apply chemical herbicide products. Employees may have to hike into remote areas to implement weed control activities.

to view a full description of this position

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This position will be based out of East of the Cascades in Oregon and work remotely in Malheur, Harney, Lake, Deschutes, Crook, Jefferson, Klamath counties.

Please note that this is a limited duration position. Funding for this position is provided by a cooperative agreement with the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) through 2029. Each biennium, (23-25, 25-27 etc.) funding is provided to the agency for that time period. As such, ODA has been provided funding for this biennium through 6/30/2027 and, we anticipate receiving the funding for the 25-27 biennium effective 7/1/25-6/30/27, and so on.

The duration may be extended based on agency need and budget approval.

Required Skills

• Three years of experience in natural resources. At least 1 year of the experience must be in project management, research, analyzing data, conducting investigations, applying pertinent laws and regulations, or coordinating & monitoring project activities;
  AND A Bachelor's degree in an Agriculture, Biology, Plant Science, Agronomy, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Rangeland Science or related area.

• OR A total of 5 years of related experience in natural resources. At least two years of the experience must be in project management, research, analyzing data, conducting investigations, applying pertinent laws and regulations, or coordinating & monitoring project activities.

• Note:
  
  A Master's degree in an Agriculture or related education will substitute for up to one year of the required experience. A Doctorate degree in an Agriculture or related education will substitute for up to two years of the required experience.

• Within 30 days of hire, this position is required to have and maintain a regulatory weed herbicide applicator license.

• A valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record.

Requested Skills (Desired Attributes)

• Demonstrable skills and experience with landscape scale management and restoration projects, particularly in rangeland or prairie ecosystems

• Deep working knowledge of western rangelands; including historical land-use, wildfire ecology, and their role in carbon sequestration

• Experience with management of noxious weeds and/or invasive annual grasses at the landscape scale

• Experience with multi-jurisdictional resource management; previous experience coordinating multi-jurisdictional management activities

• Experience with technical writing

Preferred Skills

• Must have…