Certificates Program Analyst (Natural Resource Specialist 3)

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The Department's mission is to serve the public by practicing and promoting responsible water management through two key goals:

• To directly address Oregon's water supply needs
• To restore and protect streamflows and watersheds in order to ensure the long-term sustainability of Oregon's ecosystems, economy, and quality of life

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.   

OWRD Strategic and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice Plan priorities are to:   

• Modernize our management of Oregon’s surface water and groundwater resources to meet instream and out-of-stream uses   

• Work to secure Oregon’s instream and out-of-stream water future in the face of increasing water scarcity   

• Foster a forward-looking team dedicated to serving Oregonians with integrity and excellence. 

Water is a shared, vital, and finite resource. The Oregon Water Resources Department strives for meaningful engagement, transparent decision-making, and accessible services. Together we will build a resilient and equitable water future for this generation and the many to come. 

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.

• Demonstrated attention to detail and quality control.

• Demonstrated ability to analyze facts and data to reach a conclusion and accurately distill highly technical and complex information.

• Experience analyzing and applying statutes, administrative rules, and policies to agency decisions or water management decisions and developing clear and defensible decision documents.

• Demonstrated ability to problem solve and apply critical thinking skills to identify connections and generate ideas for navigating complex problems and process improvements.

• Demonstrated technical writing and proofreading skills.

• Experience conducting advanced research on water rights (history and current status)

• Excellent project management and organizational skills to prioritize, meet deadlines, be flexible given changes in daily tasks, and monitor and effectively report on deliverables.

• Demonstrated ability to manage large projects and/or state-wide programs, including the ability to break down large projects into manageable pieces, prepare a schedule with measurable goals, track the project’s progress, timelines, deadlines, and deliverables, while also coordinating and communicating effectively with project partners. 

• Experience working with technical teams through change initiatives or multi-faceted projects and evaluating them with a process improvement mindset.

• Experience collaborating and facilitating within and across teams, with members of management, and with external parties to address complex inquiries and move high-profile projects forward.

• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to build relationships and navigate conflicting interests in a professional, courteous manner.

• Demonstrated ability to clearly and concisely communicate in a timely manner with a wide variety of audiences and tactfully handle difficult conversations or disagreements with applicants, agents, and other agency partners and stakeholders.

• Demonstrated ability to facilitate meetings, prepare and present materials, and excel in public speaking techniques. 

• Demonstrated excellence in internal and external customer service and relationship building.

We are most interested in finding the most qualified candidate for the job, and that candidate may not meet every one of our listed preferred qualifications. Paid and unpaid experience may count towards the preferred qualifications. If you are excited about this position, we encourage you to apply. If you are unsure as to whether you meet the preferred qualifications of this position, please contact us to discuss your application.  

This position is in Salem, with some remote telework flexibility. Regular attendance is an essential function required to meet the demands of this job and to provide necessary services, including but not limited to meeting with Certificates program staff, handling paper files, attending in-person meetings, and responding to public inquiries. 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. Work conditions consist primarily of desk work located at a computer terminal in a cubicle environment for long periods of time, including phone calls, video meetings, and a considerable amount of reading, researching, and analyzing large documents, statutes, administrative rules, and existing policies and guidance. 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. In-person and electronic communications with members of the public, some of whom may be frustrated, requires the ability to explain difficult concepts using verbal and written communication skills. Occasional lifting of up to 30 pounds may be required.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required.

In addition to offering a culture of care and inclusivity and working among a highly skilled team to dive into meaningful work, we also offer a competitive benefits package that includes:    

• PEBB Insurance with exceptional medical, vision and dental plans with employees paying 1 to 5% of the total premium.   

• Leave accrual starting at 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 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).  

Application Tips: Clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications and preferred qualifications in your application materials. Your application materials will determine if you are selected to move forward in the selection process. Please include detailed work and education history.

Be sure to check Workday and your email for additional tasks and updates. After hitting submit there may be additional required tasks for you to complete prior to the announcement closing. Please save a copy of this job announcement for reference, as it is not available for you to view after the announcement deadline.

If you have questions about this job posting, please contact Human Resources at WRD_DL_HR@water.oregon.gov.  

Current State of Oregon employees must apply through your employee Workday account. 

* NON-PERS ELIGIBLE (Includes most new hires to state government. Employees typically gain PERS eligibility after six months of state service. PERS ELIGIBLE (Typically current or former employees of Oregon state or local government, public schools, universities, etc.) The salary listed will state base monthly salary, which is BEFORE PERS.    

If you need assistance to participate in the application process, including an accommodation request under the American with Disabilities Act, we invite you to contact the recruiter for accommodation requests under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), application questions or job-specific questions please contact our HR team at wrd_dl_hr@water.oregon.gov.  

This applicant pool may be used to fill additional vacancies as they occur over the next three (3) months.      

The Oregon Water Resources Department does not offer visa sponsorships. Within three days of hire, all applicants will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States.      

Eligible veterans and Oregon National Guard servicemembers (current and former) who meet the qualifications of the position will be awarded candidate preference. For more information, please visit Veterans Resources. For more information on veterans’ preference points visit www.oregonjobs.org and select Veterans resources under Resources. Please do not attach veteran or Oregon National Guard Servicemember documentation to your initial application, after you have applied you will be sent a task in your Workday account to provide your veteran documentation at that time.    

In addition to your related work experience and education, we will use both the minimum and desired qualifications above to determine whom to interview. Please make sure all your relevant qualifications are clearly demonstrated in your application materials. Your application materials may be evaluated on spelling, grammar, punctuation, attention to detail, and presentation.  

The use of outside resources such as Artificial Intelligence software during the application process (cover letter and resume) and applicant skill assessments, examinations, and/or interviews is prohibited unless otherwise stated by the hiring agency. Unauthorized use of outside resources during the hiring process will result in immediate disqualification.  

The State of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of birth, attendance or graduation dates from an educational institution during the application process.

The Oregon Water Resources Department is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer Committed to Workforce Diversity.    

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