Initial Posting Date: 06/01/2023
Application Deadline:06/15/2023
Agency:Water Resources Department
Salary Range:$5,019 – $7,678
Position Type:Employee
Position Title:Hydrologist (Water Use and Evapotranspiration Analyst)
Job Description:
The Oregon Water Resources Department (WRD) seeks to hire a full-time Hydrologist (Water Use and Evapotranspiration Analyst – Natural Resource Specialist 3) to design, develop, and implement the new Water Use and Evapotranspiration (ET) program. In this position, you will work with a team to develop and apply field-scale estimates of water use using remotely sensed ET datasets, manage user-reported water use data, and produce consistent water use datasets needed for hydrologic investigations. These data and analysis are fundamental to understanding the water supply challenges of Oregon, and to the solutions that the WRD and the public can pursue. You will be a member of the Technical Services Division, reporting to the Manager of the Surface Water Section. Consider joining our team and advancing our mission to practice and promote responsible water management in Oregon! Learn more about the WRD.
What you will do
Addressing the complex nature of Oregon’s instream and out-of-stream water challenges requires accessible water use data to help explore, quantify, and identify water supply problems and solutions. As the analyst of the Water Use and ET program, you will work to:
- Develop systematic approaches for computing water use datasets for all water rights in Oregon. This includes the analysis and structuring of pertinent datasets, maintenance of related scripts/programs, and associated databases.
- Perform analysis of these data to provide critical inputs for basin studies and other hydrologic investigations.
- Develop and apply quality control standards for the application and review of remotely sensed and other water use data.
- Implement key components of the Water Use and ET program, including project management for associated grants and contracts.
- Develop, become expert in, apply, and train others in the appropriate use of remotely sensed ET data.
What’s in it for you?
The opportunity to:
- Apply your technical skills in development and interpretation of remotely sensed data, water measurement, and water use and by providing accurate and defensible analyses, maps, reports, and assisting on presentations.
- Jump-start WRD’s Water Use and ET program by ensuring the data, structures, and applications of this data are well-maintained, comprehensive, and kept up-to-date.
- Provide expertise in project management and customer service to ensure the information we use to understand water use is easy to access and use.
- Join an organization with smart, driven co-workers who care about public service, water resources, and their co-workers.
Natural Resource Specialist 3 Salary – The State of Oregon conducts a pay equity analysis to determine what pay step within the salary range to offer the successful candidate based on the experience documented in your application. See table below for salary ranges.
NON-PERS eligible – Includes most new hires to state government. Employees typically gain PERS eligibility after six months of state service
$4,693.00 – 7,180.00 monthly
PERS eligible – Typically current or former employees of Oregon state or local government, public schools, universities, etc. 6% is deducted for PERS.
$5,019.00 – $7,678.00 monthly
Other Benefits – We offer a competitive benefits package that includes:
- Exceptional medical, vision and dental plans with employees paying 1-5% of the total rate.
- Start out accruing 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 Governor’s Leave to use at your discretion each year.
- Eleven paid holidays per year.
- Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), including a pension and employer contributions to the Individual Account Program).
- Optional benefits (such as term life insurance, long-term and short-term disability, long-term care, health and dependent care flexible spending accounts, enrollment in the Oregon Savings Growth 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).
The team you will join
The Surface Water Hydrology Section provides technical expertise regarding surface water, consumptive use, and water diversion data, including the analyses and interpretation of these data, to the Department and the public. Through coordination with others in the agency, the section provides data and analyses critical for responsible water management.
We work closely with other sections in the agency to support OWRD’s mission. We and our colleagues across the Department are working to implement our 2019-2024 Strategic Plan and live out our agency core values of:
- 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.
Our position on diversity, equity, and inclusion
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.
What we are looking for
We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may not meet every one of our listed qualifications. Lived experience may count towards the desired attributes listed below. If you are excited about this position, we encourage you to apply. If you are unsure as to whether or not you meet the qualifications of this position, please contact the hiring manager to discuss your application.
Minimum required qualifications: (Natural Resource Specialist 3)
- Three years of experience in natural resources program area, at least one of which at a technical or professional level performing activities in natural resources 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 Water Resources, Geology, Engineering, Environmental Science, or similar field, OR three additional years of related (pertinent) experience.
Note: A Master’s degree in a natural resource area will substitute for up to one year of the required experience. A Doctorate degree in a natural resource area will substitute for up to two years of the required experience.
Desired attributes include experience with:
- Managing and handling data in GIS and databases, including using ArcGIS and SQL databases
- Managing large datasets and analyzing through basic programming such as Python or in spreadsheets
- Performing hydrologic investigations related to water resources management, including water use analysis
- Reviewing and interpreting remotely sensed data and models of evapotranspiration
- Managing projects, including managing contracts
- Fostering communication and a team-oriented approach problem solving.
- Communicating effectively with a team, both verbally and in writing
- Organizing and meeting priorities for a large and diverse group of customers.
- Working with complex computer applications for up to eight hours per day; and the ability to work under demanding conditions with short timelines.
Where will you work?
This position will be based out of Salem, OR. Not from Oregon? No problem! If you enjoy being outdoors, Oregon is the place for you. From the glaciated Cascade mountains, to sandy Pacific Ocean beaches, to rolling Columbia, to the wide-open High Desert, Oregon will have what you are looking for. Additionally, funds may be available to assist with relocation.
This position may work remotely and/or in an office environment on a schedule agreed upon by the manager and employee. Overnight travel will be required to attend meetings, present on work, etc. Position is represented by the Service Employees International Union.
How to apply
- Provide a brief (no more than 1 page) cover letter indicating why you are interested in, and a good candidate for the position.
- Provide a brief (no more than 2 page) resume indicating your experience pertinent to the required qualifications and desired attributes in this announcement.
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After you apply
- Log in to your Workday account before the job announcement closes to see if you have any pending tasks or actions, and make sure to complete these tasks or actions before the job announcement closes. These can be found under the “My Applications” section.
- Be sure to check both your email and Workday account for updates regarding this recruitment.
Want to know more? Here’s more help!
- Work authorization – WRD does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, applicants will be required to complete I-9 documentation and confirm authorization to work in the United States. If your employment authorization and documentation is contingent on sponsorship now or in the future, you will not meet DAS employment eligibility standards.
- Veterans – Eligible veterans who meet the qualifications will be given veterans’ preference. For further information, please see the following website: Veterans Resources, or call Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs at: 1-800-692-9666 NOTE: If claiming veterans’ preference please be sure to check your Workday account for pending tasks or actions under your “My Applications” section.
- Salary – The salary listed at the top of the announcement is the non-PERS qualifying salary range. If the successful candidate is PERS qualifying, the salary range will reflect an additional 6.95%. Please review the Classification and Compensation page for more details.
Helpful Links & Resources
Oregon Job Opportunities Webpage | How to Set Job Alerts
Workday Applicant FAQ | What You Need to Know to Get the Job
