Natural Resource Specialist ; Water Quality Specialist

Position Title

Natural Resource Specialist 3 (Water Quality Specialist)

The Oregon Department of Agriculture is seeking a Water Quality Specialist to support the Agricultural Water Quality Program in the Willamette Valley/Mid Coast region. This permanent full‑time position is located in Salem, Oregon, and may be housed in the Salem ODA office or telework from a home office in the surrounding area.

• 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.

• 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 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.

• Preference for the successful candidate to speak Spanish.
• Knowledgeable of working in a Microsoft Teams environment.
• 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.

$5,458 - $8,352.

The State of Oregon offers a competitive and affordable health and benefits package, including medical, vision and dental coverage, paid holidays, personal business leave, paid and accrued vacation leave and sick leave. The state also provides 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.

We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply.