Initial Posting Date:
10/30/2026
Application Deadline:
11/16/2026
Agency:
Water Resources Department
Salary Range:
$5,458 - $8,352
Position Type:
Employee
Position Title:
Certificates Program Analyst (Natural Resource Specialist 3)
Job Description:
Are you passionate about public service, public speaking, and teaching others? Are you conversant in infrastructure, land boundaries, regulatory frameworks, and data? Do you enjoy improving existing processes and leading your colleagues toward a shared goal? If so, the Certificates Program Analyst position may be for you!
Water rights in Oregon can be complicated but are a critical aspect of economic activity and maintenance of ecosystem services in Oregon. The Certificates Program at the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) examines Claims of Beneficial Use to determine if a water user has complied with conditions of water use as outlined in a water right permit. When a Certificate is issued, the water right holder is entitled to use water as provided by Oregon Water Law.
The Certificates Program Analyst position works collaboratively with the Certificates Program team to perform analysis and research, interpret laws, rules, and policy, and provide technical or policy interpretations to address natural resource-oriented problems around the water Certificates Program. While not having supervisor responsibility, this position may assist in setting the workload priorities for other Certificate-related staff. This position also serves as OWRD’s lead contact with the Oregon State Board of Examiners for Engineering and Land Surveying, including the Certified Water Right Examiners exam program and annual continuing education program.Working Title: Certificates Program Analyst
Classification: Natural Resource Specialist 3
Position Type: Permanent, Full-Time
Representation: Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
FLSA Status: Exempt, not eligible for overtime or compensatory time
Monthly Compensation:The monthly salary range before PERS* will be $5,458-$8,352 | after PERS* will be $5,837-$8,931
Work Location: North Mall Office Building, 725 Summer St. NE Suite A, Salem Oregon 97301.
Hybrid/Remote Work: Hybrid work eligible. The position works at least 1-2 days per week within the North Mall Office Building, and the quantity of office days may be adjusted based on business need with notice. Hybrid schedule agreed upon by manager. The position requires occasional travel within the state, including overnight travel. Ability and authorization to drive is essential to be able to travel for the entire business week once a year to meet with customers around the state.
About our Team/Division
The Division: The Water Right Services Division (Division) is responsible for 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 plans; hydroelectric licensing; water right information and customer service; and water right program and policy development.
The Division is responsible for public notice of applications and for responding to public interest inquiries and concerns. The Division receives and evaluates comments and protests concerning proposed water uses. The Division must ensure coordination with local governments and other state and federal agencies concerning proposed water allocations. Final determination of water right related applications involves a legal property right and may involve litigation in Oregon or federal court.
The Section: The Water Rights Development Section is under the Water Right Services Division. The Development Section focuses on the process of developing a water right. This includes adjudications of water use claims pre-dating the 1909 Oregon Water Code and 1955 Groundwater Act, issuance of certificates and extensions, and Water Management and Conservation Planning.
Obtaining a water right is a multi-step process. First, an applicant submits a water right application. If the application is approved, the permit specifies a timeframe during which the permit holder must develop their water right consistent with permit conditions. If they need additional time, they may file for an extension. The user has one year from making full beneficial use of water to submit a report to the Department. The Department reviews this claim of beneficial use and, if the user has successfully proved up on their water use, the Department issues a water right certificate. Municipalities may incrementally develop their municipal water use permits and are required in many cases to submit a Water Management and Conservation Plan (WMCP). Approval of a WMCP may result in access to another increment of water that the municipal water use permit holder may develop. Some water rights are determined through an adjudication (judicial proceeding) that determines how much water was developed prior to adoption of the 1909 Oregon Water Code and 1955 Groundwater Act.
What each of these post-permit processes have in common is that they evaluate how much water was developed within a specific timeframe, in accordance with applicable requirements, and how much remains to be developed. These processes comprise the Extensions, Certificates, WMCP, and Adjudications programs that collectively make up the Water Rights Development Section.
The Certificates Program: The Certificates Program within the Water Rights Development Section examines Claims of Beneficial Use (COBU) prepared by Department staff, Certified Water Right Examiners (CWRE), or, in some cases, the permit holder, to determine if the water user has complied with conditions of water use. If the COBU satisfies the laws, rules, and policies of the Department, a recommendation is made to the Director, or their designee, to issue an official Certificate of water right. COBUs are submitted and reviewed as a result of a development under a permit or transfer order. When a Certificate is issued, the water right holder is entitled to use water as provided by Oregon Water Law.
About the Position
The purpose of this position is to serve as a technical expert on Certificates and function as the Certificates Program Analyst. This position will take the lead on some of the most complex certificate and proof questions so that other Certificate Program and Department staff can evaluate Claims of Beneficial Use (COBU) and Final Proof Surveys and act quickly and accordingly.
This position frequently performs analysis and research, interprets laws, rules, and policy, and provides technical or policy interpretations to develop strategies for solving natural resource-oriented problems around the water Certificates Program. This position helps participate in program activities designed to bring current practices into alignment with existing or changing laws, rules, and policies.
The person in this position will not have supervisor responsibility over any other Department staff but may, as directed by or working with the supervisor (Water Rights Development Section Manager), coordinate and set the workload priorit
