Hydroelectric Program Coordinator (Natural Resource Specialist 4)

Working Title: Hydroelectric Program Coordinator

Classification: Natural Resource Specialist 4

Position Type: Permanent, Full-Time

Representation: (SEIU)

FLSA Status: Exempt (Not eligible for overtime and compensatory time)

Monthly Compensation: The monthly salary range before PERS* will be $6,276-$9,644 | after PERS* will be $6,713- $10,318.

Work Location: North Mall Office Building, 725 Summer St. NE Suite A, Salem Oregon 97301.

Hybrid/Remote Work: Hybrid/remote work available with approval of the manager.

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.

The vision of the Oregon Water Resources Department is to assure sufficient and sustainable water supplies are available to meet current and future needs.

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

The Water Right Services Division is responsible for the 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 planning; hydroelectric licensing; water right information and customer service; and water right program and policy development. The Division also shares administration of the Deschutes Basin Groundwater Mitigation Program.

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 applications involve a legal property right and may involve litigation in Oregon or federal court.

The Hydroelectric Program Coordinator is responsible for the administrative and technical functions of the program. The program coordinator leads a team of professional staff conducting complex analyses of hydroelectric applications, which include detailed studies of project impacts by project applicants. This person is the coordinator for the Hydroelectric Application Review Team (HART). (The HART is an interagency review team made up of state agency representatives.)

As team leader, this position has responsibility to implement a coordinated system for evaluating applications related to hydroelectric power projects in Oregon. The economic and natural resources issues surrounding the licensing of new projects and relicensing of existing projects are often highly controversial and generate statewide interest and concern. As a member and coordinator of HART, this person will need to work closely with people of varying interests to come to consensus on sensitive public issues, manage agreements with agencies and public interest groups, and make policy recommendations to the division administrator on whether new projects should be approved and existing projects should be reauthorized. The person represents the department at informational meetings, public hearings, and before boards or commissions of state or local agencies.

The program coordinator will review the work of the other members of the team, edit reports and permits drafted by staff, and prepare reports and permits themselves. Attention to detail and quality control is key. The person needs to be able to independently interpret and evaluate data to figure out the existing or potential effects and risks from existing or proposed hydroelectric projects. This person needs to be able to interpret and apply statutes and rules to ensure actions taken by the agency are consistent with the program's regulatory framework, and to support the agency's work in rulemaking and legislative sessions. Each position supports contested case proceedings and, when applicable, litigation. While all positions are expected to facilitate process improvements, this position is responsible for ensuring the Hydroelectric Program functions efficiently and with consistency. This position should be comfortable with public speaking and with interpreting and conveying fiscal information in order to support the HART's periodic convening of the hydroelectric fee review panel.

Work must be performed with our core values in mind. The person in this position must perform duties in a manner which promotes customer service and harmonious working relationships, including treating all persons courteously and respectfully; engage in effective team participation through a willingness to assist and support co-workers, supervisors, and other work related associations; develop good working relationships with Division and agency staff through active participation in accomplishing the agency mission and resolving problems in a constructive manner; and contribute to a positive, respectful, and productive work environment.

Four years of experience in natural resources or related field. At least one year of the experience must be at a technical or professional level performing activities in a natural resources 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 natural resources or related field, or three additional years of related (pertinent) experience.

A Master’s degree in natural resources or related field will substitute for up to one year of the required experience.

A Doctorate degree in natural resources or related field will substitute for up to two years of the required experience.

Related or pertinent experience could include: Experience in water resources, hydrology, hydropower, or other natural resources program that directly involves government policy work, community engagement, project management, gathering and analyzing natural resources data, conducting natural resource investigations, applying pertinent laws and regulations, providing technical assistance to the public, or helping the public navigate and comply with procedures.

Note: In addition to your related work experience and education, we will use both the minimum and preferred 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.

This position is located 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. In-office workdays are in a cubicle environment. Work conditions consist primarily of desk work located at a computer terminal for long periods of time, including typing and a considerable amount of reading, researching, and analyzing large documents, statutes, administrative rules, and existing policies and guidance. Field inspections require overnight travel, hiking, and working over water and in sometimes remote and adverse weather conditions in various locations throughout the state. Ability and authorization to drive is essential to completing field inspections. This position includes periodic attendance at Commission meetings and other public forums to present information or answer questions. This position involves electronic (phone, email, virtual meetings) and in-person communication with members of the public, some of whom may be frustrated. Occasional lifting of up to 30 pounds may be 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 that includes:

Please monitor both your email and Workday account for updates regarding this recruitment. You may be asked to submit additional information after initial application. If you have questions about this job posting, please contact Human Resources at ..

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

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

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 . For more information on veterans’ preference points visit 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.