Certified Water Rights Examiner (CWRE)

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

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Paid holidays

Weekly team lunches

Health coverage

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

AKS Engineering & Forestry, LLC in Bend, Oregon is looking for a Certified Water Rights Examiner (CWRE) to support water rights services for land development and infrastructure projects. This position involves researching and analyzing water rights, preparing applications, and mentoring junior staff.

The ideal candidate has over 5 years of experience, excellent communication skills, and a strong knowledge of water rights regulations in the Pacific Northwest.

Enjoy benefits like weekly team lunches, generous PTO, and opportunities for meaningful growth.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional experience working with water rights and resources.
• Strong knowledge of surface water and groundwater rights in the Pacific Northwest.
• Experience in regulatory permitting and mentoring others.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research and evaluate water rights using state records.
• Prepare summaries, ownership evaluations, and legal descriptions.
• Mentor junior staff and support business development.

Skills

Certified Water Rights Examiner (CWRE)

Water rights regulation knowledge

Communication and collaboration

Organizational skills

Education

Certification as a Certified Water Rights Examiner (CWRE)

Tools

State water rights databases

GIS mapping tools

Job description

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.

We welcome and value diverse candidates and encourage all qualified applicants to apply.

As part of our equal employment opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.