Natural Resource Specialist ; Water Quality Specialist

Natural Resource Specialist 3 (Water Quality Specialist)

The Oregon Department of Agriculture is seeking a Water Quality Specialist to help support the Agricultural Water Quality Program. If you are excited about working with farmers, ranchers, and other partners to improve water quality on agricultural lands in the Willamette Valley/Mid Coast region, then look no further, and apply for the Natural Resource Specialist 3 (South Willamette Valley/Mid Coast Regional Water Quality Specialist) position.

What you'll be doing

• You will support water quality program initiatives including but not limited to strategic implementation, periodic review of area plans and rules, monitoring projects, and grant administration. In addition, you will conduct onsite investigations to evaluate compliance with agricultural water quality and drainage channel maintenance rules.
• This position covers a large geographical area in which frequent and direct supervision may not be available.
• 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. Employees in this class work around trucks, lift-trucks, tractors, and other potentially hazardous equipment. Includes occasional time spent in unsanitary conditions, working in proximity to live animals, and lifting objects 50-60 lbs. Occasionally requires night meetings, weekend work, and an extended work week.
  
  Out-of-state travel to professional meetings or regional conferences may be required. Occasionally deals with hostile or angry individuals.

This is a permanent full-time position, located in Salem, Oregon. The position is either housed in the Salem ODA office or can telework from a home office in the Willamette Valley/Coast vicinity.

What we're looking for:

• Three years of experience in natural resources. 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 agriculture, environmental science, rangeland science, or other related degree fields, or three additional years of related (pertinent) experience.
• Must have a current and valid driver's license and acceptable driving record.
• 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.

Prefer Skills

• There is a preference for the successful candidate to speak Spanish.
• Knowledgeable of working in a Microsoft Teams environment.
• Have experience related to compliance and enforcement of Oregon Revised Statutes and Oregon Administrative Rules.
• Knowledgeable of the agricultural sectors in the Willamette Valley and Mid Coast.

Projected Recruitment Timeline

• Recruitment Closes:
  July 19, 2026
• 1st Round of Interviews:
  July 27, 2026-July 31, 2026
• 2nd Round of Interviews: TBD or if necessary
• Anticipated
  
  Start Date:
  
  September 1, 2026

* These dates are approximate and may change.

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. Your cover letter must show your experience and skills related to the following:

• Communication – written and oral
• Collaboration and community engagement– work with partners (federal, state, and local agencies, NGOs, SWCDs, etc…) to build partnerships.
• Work with agricultural landowners. Highlight your knowledge of agricultural activities and production.
• Compliance and enforcement – processing complaints, conducting investigations, and documentation from investigations.
• Data management and analysis – monitoring, sampling, GIS, and any other relevant work.

Applications without both requested documents attached will not move forward in the recruitment process.

• Ensure your resume…