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Job Description:

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 periodic review of , 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 and application show your relevant work experience and/or related education; this may be in the form of a filled-out application and/or through an attached resume.

• Ensure your cover letter includes specific examples of how your background and experience relate to the requirements above.

• Upon submitting your application, please be sure to check your Workday account for additional tasks to complete such as questionnaires and to request veteran’s preferences (if applicable).

• Veterans: We value the dedication of Veterans and Oregon National Guard service members! Take advantage of Veterans’ Preference by submitting the required documentation at time of application. The requirements can be found on the page under “Qualifying for Veterans’ Preference.”

• Current state employees – please apply through your employee Workday account.

Additional Information:

• Current state employees, please apply through your employee Workday account.

• Per the Pay Equity Law passed in 2017, a pay equity analysis will be conducted to determine what pay step the successful candidate will be offered.  The analysis will be based on the relevant experience, education, training, and certifications documented in the application materials.  On average, candidates new to state service will most likely be offered compensation in the lower to mid-level of the salary range.

• Please review the  page for more details on the classification, or you may visit our website for information on the job offer process following pay equity. Prior to making a job offer, an internal pay equity assessment will be completed. The successful candidate’s professional experience and education will be compared to the state employee workforce performing work of a comparable character to determine appropriate placement in the salary range. Candidates new to state service typically receive a salary within the first half of the salary range.

NOTE: Please ensure you’ve provided a thorough and updated application as it pertains to the position for which you are applying. Your application materials will be used to determine salary based on a pay equity assessment.  For further information, please visit the  homepage.