Initial Posting Date:

07/31/2025

Application Deadline:

08/11/2025

Agency:

Department of Agriculture

Salary Range:

$5,325 - $8,148

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Natural Resource Specialist 3

Job Description:

The Oregon Department of Agriculture is seeking to hire a talented and dedicated Natural Resource Specialist 3 to help support the Confined Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) Program as a Livestock Water Quality Specialist.

As the Natural Resource Specialist 3 (CAFO Livestock Water Quality Specialist) you will conduct inspections of all types and sizes of CAFO operations to evaluate compliance with CAFO permit requirements so manure and wastewater do not pollute ground and surface water, provide technical assistance to new and existing CAFO operators to help them understand and comply with permit requirements, and implement enforcement actions to address violations. In addition, you will investigate complaints, determine compliance or noncompliance, and initiate corrective action, as appropriate.

Our Natural Resource Specialist 3 (CAFO Livestock Water Quality Specialist) is a permanent full-time position, is based in Hermiston, Oregon, and is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

Click here to view a full description of this position.

Working Conditions

This position requires routine inspections of livestock operations to include dairy, poultry, swine, beef feedlot, and other animal confinement operations to perform facility assessments, collect physical samples, and determine compliance with permit requirements. Employees in this position work around trucks, lift-trucks, tractors, and other potentially hazardous equipment. Occasional time is spent in unsanitary conditions, working in proximity to live animals, and lifting objects 50-60 lbs. Long distance travel in all weather conditions as well as occasional overnight travel is expected. Occasionally deals with hostile, upset, or angry individuals. Works outside in all weather conditions.

This position requires a flexible work schedule that varies in the number of hours worked on a daily basis, but not necessarily each day, or a work schedule in which the starting and stopping times vary on a daily basis, but not necessarily each day, and does not exceed forty (40) hours in a workweek. Work exceeding 40 hours per week requires prior approval by the supervisor.

A valid driver license and a satisfactory driving record, or the ability to provide a satisfactory alternate mode of transportation is required. This position may cover large geographical areas in which frequent and direct supervision is not available.

This is what you need to qualify (Minimum Qualifications)

• Three years of experience in natural resources (animal agriculture experience preferred). At least one year of the experience must be in researching, analyzing data, conducting investigations, applying pertinent laws and regulations, or coordinating and monitoring project activities; AND a Bachelor's degree in Animal Science, Crop and Soil Science, Natural Resources, or related field; OR a total of six years of experience in a related field.

• A Master's degree in a Animal Science, Crop and Soil Science, Natural Resources, or related field will substitute for up to one year of the required experience.

• A Doctorate degree in a Animal Science, Crop and Soil Science, Natural Resources, or related field will substitute for up to two years of the required experience.

Desired Attributes:

• Knowledge regarding dairy and livestock operations as well as general farming practices

• Skill communicating verbally and in writing with a variety of people to answer questions, provide technical assistance, and explain regulatory requirements

• Strong analytical thinking with the ability to assess complex problems and develop effective, strategic solutions

• Due to biosecurity and the prevalence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, this employee must not own, raise, or manage poultry. Additionally, this employee should not operate or have an ownership interest in any facility or enterprise that would require a Confined Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) permit under state or federal regulations.

Additional Requirements

Results of activities conducted are often controversial. Position requires the ability to communicate through various media with people having varied educational and professional backgrounds. Communication efforts can have direct and indirect effects on division functions and future outcomes. Position regularly contacts and is contacted by industry professional staff, college and university instructional staff, public and private educators, regulatory officials in all levels of government, special interest organizations, farmers, and the public. The performance of position duties follows federal and state laws, administrative rules, department policies, and accepted techniques.

This position’s duties and responsibilities may include access to confidential, sensitive, or protected information. Employee is required to receive security training in accordance with agency policies.

Ability to engage with a wide diversity of permittees, agency partners, and stakeholders on a variety of topics related to animal agriculture operations.

A resume is required to be submitted with your application to be considered for this position.

How to apply:

• A resume is required. Your resume should clearly demonstrate how your experience and training relate to the Minimum Qualifications and Desired Attributes listed above.

• Upon submitting your application, please check your Workday account for additional tasks to complete, such as questionnaires, and to request veteran's preferences (if applicable).

• The Workday System will timeout after 20 minutes of inactivity. You must submit your application after you begin the process. You cannot save your progress and come back later.

• This posting will close on August 10, 2025 at 11:59 pm.

Learn more about the Oregon Department of Agriculture:

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 the listed qualifications and attributes. 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 opportunity to work in a productive and creative environment where no two days are ever the same! We offer a competitive benefits package with comprehensive medical, vision, and dental benefits for the employee and their qualified family members, as well as paid sick leave, vacation leave, personal leave, and 11 paid holidays a year. In addition, we offer membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) and deferred compensation, and you have the opportunity to potentially receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). If you are passionate about Oregon agriculture, apply today!

Additional Information:

For current state employees, please apply through your employee Workday account.

• Please ensure you've provided a thorough and updated application regarding the position for which you are applying. The required application materials submitted at the time of application will be used to determine salary based on a pay equity assessment. For further information, please visit the Pay Equity Project homepage.

• This position is represented by SEIU.

• This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies.

• The salary listed is the non-PERS qualifying salary range. If the successful candidate is PERS qualifying, the salary range will reflect the additional PERS contribution. Please review the Classification and Compensation page for more details, or you may visit our website.

• 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 Department of Agriculture is an E-Verify employer. If you are a 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 accommodation for the recruitment process, don't hesitate to get in touch with the recruiter at oda.recruitment@oda.oregon.gov or call 503-986-4584.