Certified Water Rights Examiner (CWRE)

AKS Engineering & Forestry; Bend (OR); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hands-on training and mentorship

Generous PTO

401(k) match

Weekly team lunches

Job summary

AKS Engineering & Forestry, located in Oregon, is seeking a Certified Water Rights Examiner (CWRE) to support critical water rights services for land development and infrastructure projects. This role involves conducting research, preparing applications, and mentoring junior staff while collaborating with project teams to ensure effective integration of water rights considerations.

Join a supportive work environment that values professional growth, offers a work-life balance, and provides comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Obtained CWRE certification.
• 5+ years of experience with water rights and regulatory permitting.
• Strong knowledge of Pacific Northwest water rights.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research and evaluation of water rights.
• Prepare water rights summaries and applications.
• Support project teams with water rights considerations.

Skills

Surface water rights

Groundwater rights

Regulatory permitting

Team collaboration

Education

Certified Water Rights Examiner (CWRE)

Tools

State water rights databases

Mapping tools

Job description

Overview

At AKS, we are growing and building for the future. We bring together multidisciplined experts across the land development, energy, and infrastructure markets to take on bigger challenges and deliver solutions that make a real difference. Our teams combine creativity, technical excellence, and a collaborative, hands-on approach to solve complex problems and deliver results our clients and communities can count on. We take pride in our work and our ability to provide opportunities for our teams, support each other’s growth, and look ahead to what’s next. When you join AKS, you will find opportunities to take ownership of meaningful projects, learn, lead, and make an impact from day one.

AKS Engineering & Forestry is seeking a Certified Water Rights Examiner (CWRE) to support water rights and water resources services for land development and infrastructure projects. This position plays a key role in researching, analyzing, and supporting water right permitting, transfers, compliance, and due diligence activities for public and private clients.

What You’ll Do

• Conduct detailed research and evaluation of surface water and groundwater rights using state records, maps, databases, and historical documentation.
• Prepare water rights summaries, ownership evaluations, use confirmations, and legal descriptions.
• Analyze water right validity, priority dates, beneficial use, points of diversion, places of use, and associated conditions.
• Identify potential risks, constraints, and opportunities related to water rights.
• Prepare applications for surface water, groundwater, and storage rights.
• Prepare claims of beneficial use.
• Prepare transfer applications.
• Support multidisciplinary project teams by integrating water rights considerations into project planning, land use entitlements, and infrastructure design.
• Mentor junior staff and provide technical leadership to project teams.
• Support business development through client relationships and proposals (as your experience allows).

Who You Are

• Obtained certification as a Certified Water Rights Examiner (CWRE).
• 5+ years of professional experience working with water rights, water resources, or regulatory permitting.
• Strong knowledge of surface water and groundwater rights in the Pacific Northwest.
• Experience working with state water rights databases, records, and mapping tools.
• Excellent communicator and collaborator who enjoys working with multidisciplinary teams.
• Self-motivated with strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Committed to mentoring others and developing talent from within.
• You have a "Do what needs to be done" mindset, taking ownership beyond assigned tasks and stepping in wherever needed to keep projects, teams, and customers supported and running smoothly.

Nice To Have

• Experience supporting land development or infrastructure projects.
• Familiarity with Oregon, Washington and/or Idaho water rights regulations and agency processes.
• Experience preparing exhibits, GIS maps, or spatial analysis related to water rights.
• Experience working in a consulting environment with multiple concurrent projects.

Why AKS?

At AKS, we believe your work should support your life, not the other way around. Here's what you can count on when you join our team:

• Meaningful Growth: Whether you're just starting out or looking to advance, we offer hands-on training, mentorship, and clear paths for professional development so you can grow with purpose.
• Real Collaboration: Join a team that brings diverse perspectives together to solve complex challenges with creativity, curiosity, and a shared commitment to quality.
• Respect for Your Time: We value work-life balance and offer generous PTO and a supportive environment that helps you manage both personal and professional responsibilities.
• Benefits That Care: You’ll have access to health coverage that supports your total well-being, plus a 401(k) match, paid holidays, and more resources to help you thrive.
• Weekly Team Lunches: Take a break and recharge with your teammates, we believe food brings people together.
• Culture That Connects: We invest in experiences that build strong teams and strong communities.
• A Place People Love to Work: We’ve been named one of the Top Workplaces year after year.

Join us and be part of a team that values your contributions, celebrates initiative, and is committed to doing things the right way for our employees, clients, and communities.