Certificates Program Analyst (Natural Resource Specialist 3)
State of Oregon
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
State of Oregon is hiring a Certificates Program Analyst in the Water Resources Department. The role focuses on Certificates of Beneficial Use, analysis of laws and policies, and coordination with OSBEELS.
The position supports workload planning for certificate staff and requires travel within the state. The successful candidate will collaborate across teams, interpret complex regulations, and contribute to program improvements while working in a hybrid environment at the North Mall Office
Qualifications
- Three years of experience in natural resources or related field.
- At least one year of experience at a technical or professional level in natural resources.
- Bachelor’s degree in natural resources or related field, or three additional years of related experience.
- Master’s degree will substitute for up to one year of the required experience.
Responsibilities
- Serve as technical expert on Certificates and lead on complex certificate questions.
- Perform analysis and research, interpret laws, rules, and policy, to develop strategies.
- Coordinate and lead annual continuing education program for CWREs and other interested persons.
- Handle communications with OSBEELS and coordinate with department staff on certificate topics.
Skills
Education
Job description
Certificates Program Analyst (Natural Resource Specialist 3)
10/30/2026
11/16/2026
Water Resources Department
$5,458 - $8,352
Employee
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.
Certificates Program Analyst
Natural Resource Specialist 3
Permanent, Full-Time
Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
Exempt, not eligible for overtime or compensatory time
The monthly salary range before PERS* will be $5,458-$8,352 | after PERS* will be $5,837-$8,931
North Mall Office Building, 725 Summer St. NE Suite A, Salem Oregon 97301.
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.
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.
- 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.
- 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 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.
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 priorities for other certificate-related staff. As such, regular attendance is an essential function required to meet the demands of this job and to provide necessary services.
This position will also handle communications with Oregon State Board of Examiners for Engineering and Land Surveying (OSBEELS), draft and score the examination of CWREs each year, coordinate and lead the annual continuing education program (workshops) for CWREs and other interested persons, as well as develop Department policy memos and guidelines related to the Certificates program.
Working with the supervisor (Water Rights Development Section Manager), this position may be the primary certificate-related contact person when other Department staff have certificate-related questions.
Three 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 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 natural resources or related field, or three additional years of related (pertinent) experience.
OR
A master's degree in natural resources or related field will substitute for up to one year of the required experience.
Natural Resource Areas considered: Environmental Sciences, Hydrology, Physical Science, Ecology, Agricultural Sciences, Engineering, Geography, Geology, Geophysics, or related fields.
Pertinent Experience considered: i.e. Land Surveying, Well Specialists, Rangeland Specialists, Water Resource Management, Civil engineering or in Natural Resources Law, or related fields.
- 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.
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 OregonSavingsGrowth 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).
- 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.
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, 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.
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