Are you an experienced policy leader in natural resources and passionate about wetlands and waterways? Apply to be one of our next Natural Resource Complex Project Removal-Fill Permitting & Delineation Specialist (Natural Resource Specialist 4) by January 19, 2026!

This full-time, permanent position is eligible for a hybrid remote schedule based out of our Salem office. The successful candidate will be expected to be in the office 2 times a week for the first six weeks and then 2-3 times per month for the duration of the position. The successful candidate must be able to perform site visits within Oregon on short notice, including same day. Within three months of hiring, the successful candidate must live within commutable distance to the Salem office.

Making a Difference for Oregon. The Department of State Lands manages the lands that help fund our public schools and protects the state’s waterways and wetlands for the many benefits they provide. Our stewardship ensures vital natural and financial resources contribute to a vibrant, healthy Oregon now and forever. The DSL team makes a difference for Oregonians every day. As our Natural Resource Complex Project Specialist (Natural Resource Specialist 4), you will too.

The primary purpose of this position is to make DSL policy and program level decisions for complex projects that provide efficiency for wetland and waterway permitting within the Operations team. This position reviews and applies standards for DSL jurisdictional determinations for aquatic features including wetlands, ditches, streams, and rivers; standards for complete removal-fill permit application preparation; coordination of application review process; and permit acquisition.

What’s In It for You?

• Join our team of collaborative and engaged co-workers who care about Oregon’s economy, environment, and communities. Use your skills and experience in natural resources to protect Oregon’s waterways and wetlands through the state’s Removal-Fill Law while engaging the public, government agencies, and other stakeholders.

• Gain full benefits with 95% to 99% of medical and dental insurance premiums paid by the agency for full-time employees, including mental health coverage.

• Accrue eight (8) hours of sick leave and eight (8) hours of vacation leave per month, with your vacation leave accruals increasing every five (5) years.

• Receive 11 paid holidays, one (1) floating holiday, three (3) personal business days and other medical, vision and dental benefits, including flexible spending plans.

• Automatically enrolled into the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) after six (6) months of full-time service.

• Possibly qualify for Student Loan Forgiveness Program.

• Earn the initial monthly salary range for this position starting at $6,122 - $9,409 for employees new to public service. After 6 months, you will receive a 6.95% increase with 6% going to your PERS retirement.

• Current PERS employees start at $6,545- $10,063. Please review the Classification and Compensation page for more details.

• NOTE: Starting pay is determined by a pay equity analysis, which is partly based on the number of years of relevant experience.

This position will report directly to our main Salem office. This is a full-time, permanent position represented by the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Working Conditions

The successful candidate will primarily work in an office environment with regular and full day of computer use and periods of fast-paced activity and competing priorities. This position requires the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, including meeting high-priority deadlines. This role also includes occasional fieldwork, which may involve walking along and within waterways; traversing uneven, wet, or muddy terrain; and navigating areas without pathways in all types of weather.

Travel is an essential function of the position. Site visits may be required on the same day they are requested. This role may require extended work hours both in the office and field, overnight travel, and exposure to inclement weather, field, and road conditions. Work may occur in remote locations. DSL provides agency-maintained vehicles, field gear reimbursement, and travel expenses for authorized work-related travel and fieldwork.

What You Will Be Doing

As a Natural Resource Complex Project Specialist, you will have the opportunity to:

• Serve as a Technical Expert. Provide expert-level technical interpretation of the removal-fill law, wetland delineation and determination regulations, and other applicable regulations.

• Represent the Agency. Serve as a representative of DSL to entities such as the Governor’s Office Regional Solutions Teams, permit applicants, local, state, and federal agencies, members of the public, and industry professionals.

• Review Removal-Fill Applications. Evaluate removal-fill permit applications and provide recommendations for Department decisions. This includes reviewing and interpreting function and value assessments, alternatives analyses, compensatory mitigation plans, rectification plans, engineering drawings, and evaluating direct and indirect impacts to waters of the state.

• Review Wetland Determinations and Delineations. Evaluate wetland determinations and delineation reports submitted for Department approval and provide recommendations for final action. Site visits and field data collection may be required prior to concurring with submitted reports.

• Conduct Jurisdictional Determinations. Perform both on-site and remote jurisdictional determinations of waters of the state and clearly communicate and document findings.

• Perform Compliance Monitoring. Investigate projects and conduct site visits, including field data collection, to assess compliance with permit conditions; evaluate the functions and values of jurisdictional waters; and determine jurisdictional boundaries of wetlands and other waters of the state.

• Carry Out Enforcement Responsibilities. Receive, investigate, and process complaints to determine whether a removal/fill violation has occurred.

For a full description of the duties and working conditions, please email Tricarico.schwartz@dsl.oregon.gov to request the position description.

Minimum Qualifications

To be considered for this position, please ensure you have one of the following combinations of education and experience:

Four (4) years of experience in wetland and waterway resources. At least two years of the experience must be at a technical level or professional level completing or reviewing wetland determinations or delineations and removal-fill permit applications including function and value assessments, alternatives analysis, and compensatory mitigation plans.

AND

A bachelor’s degree in a natural resource field such as biology, ecology, natural resources, or environmental science, or three (3) additional years of related experience.

NOTE: A master’s degree in a natural resource field such as biology, ecology, or environmental science will substitute for up to one (1) year of the required experience.

A doctorate degree in a natural resource field such as biology, ecology, or environmental science will substitute for up to two (2) years of the required experience.

Desired Attributes

Tell us which of the following skills, experiences, and related talents you have by highlighting them in your application materials.

• Removal-Fill Permits. Preparing or reviewing Oregon’s Removal-Fill permit applications, including mitigation plans, functional assessments, and alternatives analysis.

• Wetland Delineations. Preparing or reviewing wetland delineation reports, including identification of Oregon wetland soil and vegetation.

• Representation. Communicating professionally with senior officials, elected representatives, media, stakeholders, and/or the public.

• Compliance & Enforcement. Applying or evaluating compliance with wetland and waterway resource regulations or similar environmental laws.

• Regulatory Knowledge. Interpreting land use and environmental permitting requirements across local, state, federal, or tribal programs, including those related to EFSC projects, DOGAMI mining projects, long linear infrastructure projects, and other state, federal, local, or tribal regulatory programs.

• GIS/GPS Skills. Using GPS in the field and GIS software, such as ArcGIS Pro, for data analysis and mapping.

• Teamwork & Problem Solving. Demonstrated ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team, including strong conflict resolution abilities.

• Communication. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including effective internal and external customer service and high-quality deliverables.

• Professional Skills. Reliable, professional, self-motivated, and able to work under strict deadlines with strong organizational and time-management skills.

How To Apply

• Complete the following required steps:

• Fill out the application or attach a resume. Please contact Tricarico.schwartz@dsl.oregon.gov if you have any questions about how to fill out the experience fields or to attach a document. Your submitted experience fields or attached resume must include dates (MM/YYYY) for each employer, and any relevant volunteer and/or internship experience.

• Attach a cover letter. Your cover letter should clearly demonstrate how your experience and training relates to the qualities that you have under the “Highly Desired Attributes” and “Desired Attributes” sections above.

• Your cover letter must be limited to no more than two (2) pages.

• Please address your cover letter to Melinda Buttefield, Operations Manager.

• Generic cover letters that do not address the qualities that you have under the “Highly Desired Attributes” and “Desired Attributes” sections may receive lower scores than those that addressed the desired qualities.

• You must upload your cover letter in the ‘Resume/Cover Letter’ section of the application.

• Complete questionnaire. Answer the checkbox-style questions before submitting your application.

• After you submit your application, please respond to the public records request authorization and gender identity questionnaire. This screen will come after you submit and will complete the process. If you are a current State of Oregon employee, the tasks will come to your Workday inbox.

• If you are a veteran, you may receive preference. The task to upload your documents will be available after you submit your application. For privacy reasons, please do not attach your military service document(s) to your application or combine it with any other required document attachments.

To learn more about our work, connect with us on Instagram: @oregonstatelands and LinkedIn.

NOTE: The use of outside resources such as Artificial Intelligence software during applicant skill assessments, examinations, and/or interviews is prohibited unless otherwise stated by the hiring agency. Unauthorized use of outside resources during the hiring process will result in disqualification.

The Oregon Department of State Lands is committed to seeking and sustaining a culturally, racially, ethnically, and linguistically diverse working environment. The Department hires staff interested in supporting environmental justice by including communities traditionally underrepresented in public processes. We encourage members of these communities to apply, even if they do not meet 100% of the desired attributes. The Oregon Department of State Lands understands that an authentic focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace will in turn create a workforce aligned to meet the challenge of serving all Oregonians.

Additional Information

• This position may be used to fill future vacancies.

• If you need an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to participate in the application or selection process, please contact tricarico.schwartz@dsl.oregon.gov and include the job requisition number.

• For more information about applying for positions with the State of Oregon via Workday, you may visit the Oregon job opportunities website.

• This position may be contingent upon the outcome of a driving records check.

• Eligible veterans and Oregon National Guard servicemembers (current and former) who meet the qualifications of the position will be awarded candidate preference. For further information, please check out these Veteran’s Resources, or call the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs at: 1-800-692-9666.

• After you apply, you may be asked to provide additional optional information. Please be sure to check your Workday account for pending tasks or actions under your “My Applications” section. Be sure to check both your email and Workday account for updates regarding this recruitment.

• As an employer, DSL complies with Oregon’s Pay Equity law.

• The state of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of birth, attendance or graduation dates from an educational institution during the application process.

• Agency does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, applicants will be required to complete I-9 documentation and confirm authorization to work in the United States.

• For questions about the job duties or application process, please contact Tricarico.schwartz@dsl.oregon.gov or call 971-304-5881 to speak to our recruitment team.