Natural Resource Specialist 3 (Water Quality Specialist) at State of Oregon

Initial Posting Date

07/02/2026

Application Deadline

07/19/2026

Agency

Department of Agriculture

Salary Range

$5,458 - $8,352

Position Type

Employee

Position Title

Natural Resource Specialist 3 (Water Quality Specialist)

The Oregon Department of Agriculture is seeking a Water Quality Specialist to help support the Agricultural Water Quality Program. If you are excited about working with farmers, ranchers, and other partners to improve water quality on agricultural lands in the Willamette Valley/Mid Coast region, then look no further, and apply for the Natural Resource Specialist 3 (South Willamette Valley/Mid Coast Regional Water Quality Specialist) position.

What You’ll Be Doing

• You will support water quality program initiatives including but not limited to Strategic Implementation periodic review of area plans and rules, monitoring projects, and grant administration. In addition, you will conduct onsite investigations to evaluate compliance with agricultural water quality and drainage channel maintenance rules.
• This position covers a large geographical area in which frequent and direct supervision may not be available.
• Will require regular driving and travel around the state to attend meetings, conduct inspections, and field work on farms and ranches in all types of weather conditions. Employees in this class work around trucks, lift-trucks, tractors, and other potentially hazardous equipment. Includes occasional time spent in unsanitary conditions, working in proximity to live animals, and lifting objects 50-60 lbs. Occasionally requires night meetings, weekend work, and an extended work week. Out-of-state travel to professional meetings or regional conferences may be required. Occasionally deals with hostile or angry individuals.

This is a permanent full-time position, located in Salem, Oregon. The position is either housed in the Salem ODA office or can telework from a home office in the Willamette Valley/Coast vicinity.

Click here to view a full description of this position.

What We’re Looking For

• Three years of experience in natural resources. 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 agriculture, environmental science, rangeland science, or other related degree fields, or three additional years of related (pertinent) experience.
• Must have a current and valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record.
• A Master's degree in agriculture, environmental science, rangeland science, or other related degree fields, will substitute for up to one year of the required experience.
• A Doctorate degree in agriculture, environmental science, rangeland science, or other related degree fields, will substitute for up to two years of the required experience.

Prefer Skills

• There is a preference for the successful candidate to speak Spanish.
• Knowledgeable of working in a Microsoft Teams environment.
• Have experience related to compliance and enforcement of Oregon Revised Statutes and Oregon Administrative Rules.
• Knowledgeable of the agricultural sectors in the Willamette Valley and Mid Coast.

Projected Recruitment Timeline

• Recruitment Closes: July 19, 2026
• 1st Round of Interviews: July 27, 2026-July 31, 2026
• 2nd Round of Interviews: TBD or if necessary
• Anticipated Start Date: September 1, 2026

*These dates are approximate and may change. *

How To Apply

Required: Attach a cover letter and a resume to your application. Demonstrate how you meet the qualifications and requested skills in your application. Your cover letter must show your experience and skills related to the following:

• Communication – written and oral
• Collaboration and community engagement– work with partners (federal, state, and local agencies, NGOs, SWCDs, etc…) to build partnerships.
• Work with agricultural landowners. Highlight your knowledge of agricultural activities and production.
• Compliance and enforcement – processing complaints, conducting investigations, and documentation from investigations.
• Data management and analysis – monitoring, sampling, GIS, and any other relevant work.

Applications without both requested documents attached will not move forward in the recruitment process.

• Ensure your resume and application show your relevant work experience and/or related education; this may be in the form of a filled-out application and/or through an attached resume.
• Ensure your cover letter includes specific examples of how your background and experience relate to the requirements above.
• Upon submitting your application, please be sure to check your Workday account for additional tasks to complete such as questionnaires and to request veteran’s preferences (if applicable).
• Veterans: We value the dedication of Veterans and Oregon National Guard service members! Take advantage of Veterans’ Preference by submitting the required documentation at time of application. The requirements can be found on the Veterans' Resources page under “Qualifying for Veterans’ Preference.”
• Current state employees – please apply through your employee Workday account.

Learn More About The Oregon Department Of Agriculture

At the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA), we ensure healthy natural resources, environment, and economy for Oregonians now and in the future through inspection and certification, regulation, and promotion of agriculture and food. Check out our video to learn more about us!

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are embedded in the Department of Agriculture core values. Employees at all levels of the agency work together to foster fairness, equity, inclusion, and belonging. The department strives to be a model employer committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job and that candidate may not meet every one of our listed preferred qualifications. Lived experience may count towards the desired attributes. If you are excited about this position, we encourage you to apply. If you are unsure as to whether you meet the minimum qualifications of this position, please contact our human resources department to discuss your application.

What’s In It For You

The State of Oregon offers a competitive and affordable health and benefits package, including excellent medical, vision and dental coverage, paid holidays off, and personal business leave, as well as paid and accrued vacation leave and sick leave. In addition to standard medical benefits and employee leave, the state also provides additional optional benefits, such as basic life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, deferred compensation savings program, and flexible spending accounts for health care and childcare expenses. More information is available from the Public Employees Benefit Board.

Additional Information

• Current state employees, please apply through your employee Workday account.
• Per the Pay Equity Law passed in 2017, a pay equity analysis will be conducted to determine what pay step the successful candidate will be offered. The analysis will be based on the relevant experience, education, training, and certifications documented in the application materials. On average, candidates new to state service will most likely be offered compensation in the lower to mid-level of the salary range.
• Please review the Classification and Compensation page for more details on the classification, or you may visit our website for information on the job offer process following pay equity. Prior to making a job offer, an internal pay equity assessment will be completed. The successful candidate’s professional experience and education will be compared to the state employee workforce performing work of a comparable character to determine appropriate placement in the salary range. Candidates new to state service typically receive a salary within the first half of the salary range.

NOTE: Please ensure you’ve provided a thorough and updated application as it pertains to the position for which you are applying. Your application materials will be used to determine salary based on a pay equity assessment. For further information, please visit the Pay Equity Project homepage.

United States Employment Eligibility: The Oregon Department of Agriculture does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, all applicants will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security's Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States. The Oregon Employment Department is an E-Verify employer. If you are the successful candidate, you must present your I-9 acceptable documents (See page 3) for employment verification.

Questions/Need Help?

If you have questions about the recruitment or need an accommodation for the recruitment process, please contact Lee Whiting at [email protected] or call 503-986-4585.