Water Rights Advisor; Natural Resource Specialist

Water Rights Advisor (Natural Resource Specialist
4)

09/25/2026

10/11/2026

Water Resources Department

$6,276 - $9,644

Employee

• Working Title:
  
  Water Rights Advisor
• Classification:
  Natural Resource Specialist 4
• Position Type:
  Permanent, Full Time
• Representation:
  Service Employees International Union
• FLSA Status:
  Exempt and not eligible for overtime and compensatory time
• Monthly Compensation:
  The monthly salary range before PERS
  * will be $6,276-$9,644 | after PERS
  * will be $6,713-$10,318
• Work Location:
  
  North Mall Office Building, 725 Summer St. NE Suite A, Salem Oregon 97301.
• Hybrid/Remote Work:
  Hybrid work eligible. 1-2 days per week in office, hybrid schedule agreed upon by manager. Quantity of office days may be adjusted based on business need with notice. Some in-state travel is required with infrequent overnight travel.

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.

The vision of the Oregon Water Resources Department is to assure sufficient and sustainable water supplies are available to meet current and future needs.

• To directly address Oregon's water supply needs
• To restore and protect stream flows and watersheds in order to ensure the long-term sustainability of Oregon's ecosystems, economy, and quality of life

• 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.

• 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.

The Water Right Services Division is responsible for the evaluation of all water right, transfer, extension of time (for both permits and transfers), 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…