Initial Posting Date:

01/05/2026

Application Deadline:

01/20/2026

Agency:

Department of Fish and Wildlife

Salary Range:

$6,123 - $9,409

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Natural Resource Specialist 4 (Sagebrush Mitigation Coordinator)

Job Description:

Make a difference in Oregon sagebrush habitat!

Help the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), fulfill its mission: To protect and enhance Oregon's fish and wildlife and their habitats for use and enjoyment by present and future generations.

We are hiring for a full-time, permanent position leading mitigation strategies for sagebrush habitat for ODFW. This position can be located in one of multiple ODFW offices, depending on availability: Bend, Hines, Ontario, LaGrande, Klamath Falls or Salem, Oregon.

NOTE: This position requires a cover letter to be attached to your application. See additional details under the “Desired Skills” section

About the position:

The Sagebrush Mitigation Coordinator serves as the agency’s expert in fish and wildlife habitat mitigation in sagebrush habitat, playing a lead statewide role in development, revision, interpretation and implementation of the Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation Strategy. This position coordinates with field staff and serves within the Land Resources Program on development and implementation of policy, plans, and programs necessary to maintain ecosystems consistent with the State’s and ODFW’s conservation, recovery, and management goals.

What you will do:

There are three primary roles for the Sagebrush Mitigation Coordinator:

• Lead development of mitigation solutions in sagebrush habitat

  • plays a lead statewide role for ODFW providing technical and policy expertise in ensuring consistent implementation of the Fish and Wildlife Habitat Mitigation Policy for all fish and wildlife species in sagebrush, working as part of a team within the Land Resources Program

  • leads development and implementation of mitigation funding solutions, including mitigation banks credit generation projects, in-lieu fee payments, and other options

  • serve as ODFW’s lead representative and subject matter expert on state and national sage-grouse mitigation related working groups

• Lead policy development, review and implementation of ODFW’s statewide sage-grouse mitigation program

  • leads implementation of the Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat Mitigation Program Operations and Administration Manual (Mitigation Manual)

  • regularly acts as lead representative for ODFW in controversial mitigation negotiations in sagebrush habitat with land use developers and regulatory agencies where the outcomes have economic impacts

  • provide technical review of and formal testimony on state legislative bills related to sage-grouse habitat mitigation

• Lead development, review and implementation of sage-grouse mitigation field methods and program tools

  • identify research and technical needs for the program

  • develop, maintain and implement tools to support the program

  • develop, maintain, and update program documentation

  • lead training on program tools

For a full review of the position details, duties, and working conditions, please review the position description located here.

We are seeking applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and have the following skills and experience:

Minimum Qualifications:

To meet the qualifications, candidates must meet at least one of the following options:

• Option 1: Eight years of experience performing studies, research, or resource management activities in a biological or ecological program. At least three years of the experience must be at a technical or professional level performing activities such as researching and analyzing data, conducting investigations, applying pertinent laws and regulations, or coordinating and monitoring project activities.

• Option 2: A Bachelor's degree in Fisheries or Wildlife Science or a closely related Bachelor’s degree with at least 45 quarter (30 semester) hours of related coursework and five years of experience performing studies, research, or resource management activities in a biological or ecological program. At least three years of the experience must be at a technical or professional level performing activities such as researching and analyzing data, conducting investigations, applying pertinent laws and regulations, or coordinating and monitoring project activities.

• Option 3: A Master's degree in Fisheries or Wildlife Science or a closely related Bachelor’s degree with at least 45 quarter (30 semester) hours of related coursework and four years of experience performing studies, research, or resource management activities in a biological or ecological program. At least three years of the experience must be at a technical or professional level performing activities such as researching and analyzing data, conducting investigations, applying pertinent laws and regulations, or coordinating and monitoring project activities.

• Option 4: A Doctorate degree in Fisheries or Wildlife Science or a closely related Bachelor’s degree with at least 45 quarter (30 semester) hours of related coursework and three years of experience performing studies, research, or resource management activities in a biological or ecological program. At least three years of the experience must be at a technical or professional level performing activities such as researching and analyzing data, conducting investigations, applying pertinent laws and regulations, or coordinating and monitoring project activities.

Note: Applicants who have obtained a Master's degree or Doctorate that included work experience from an internship, work/study, thesis, or similar program may list this experience in their application to receive credit for the work experience. The Master's degree/Doctorate and applicable work experience will be considered separately and both the education and applicable experience may count toward minimum qualifications.

Desired Skills:

• Advanced background and knowledge of sagebrush ecosystem

• A well-developed sense of diplomacy is required when working with agency partners, elected officials and the public. Political acumen is required when assessing agency commitments and standards in negotiations

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Broad understanding of natural resource issues

• Experience in evaluating impacts of a project or activity on fish, wildlife, and habitat resources; developing recommendations to avoid, minimize and mitigate for these impacts; and negotiate for acceptance of these recommendations

• Ability to work constructively with others to reach consensus on controversial projects and issues

The initial review for this position requires a cover letter to be attached to your application. In addition to addressing the desired skills above, your cover letter should answer the following:

Select one of the following options below that best describes your highest level of experience navigating political dynamics in a natural resource related negotiation. Provide a brief (2 -3 sentences) example citing your selection.

A. I have not had direct responsibility for navigating political dynamics; my role focused primarily on technical or analytical policy work.

B. I supported politically sensitive policy efforts by providing analysis, drafting materials, or coordinating with stakeholders under direction from senior staff.

C. I independently managed stakeholder relationships and adapted policy approaches based on leadership priorities, legislative considerations, or interagency dynamics.

D. I led complex policy initiatives requiring strategic navigation of elected officials, political appointees, career leadership, and external stakeholders to advance outcomes.

NOTE: Failure to attach a cover letter or address the information requested may result in your application being removed from further consideration.

Application Details and Instructions

• Your application helps determine your starting salary. Be sure it accurately and thoroughly reflects your skills, experience, and education even if you don’t believe it directly relates to the position. We cannot accept any additional application materials submitted after the application deadline.

• 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.

• This recruitment will be used to establish a list of qualified people to fill the current vacancy and may be used to fill other vacancies as they occur.

• Please save a copy of this job announcement for reference, as it is not available for you to view after the announcement deadline.

• The salary listed is the non-PERS qualifying salary range. If the successful candidate is PERS qualifying, the salary range will reflect an additional 6.95%.

• Reasonable accommodations for interviews will be provided upon request to individuals with disabilities.

• The job posting closes at 11:59 PM (PDT/PST) on the close date. After you submit your application, be sure to respond to the two questionnaires relating to public records requests and veterans’ preference immediately following your submittal. These questions are necessary to complete the application process.

• First time applying to the State of Oregon? Consider utilizing a WorkSource Oregon Resource event!

• If you are experiencing difficulty applying for this position or have questions, please contact the ODFW Human Resources office at 503-947-6051.

Benefits of Joining Our Team

The Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) is dedicated to cultivating a diverse and inclusive workforce as we strive to represent and better serve our neighboring communities. Our most important asset is our employees, and each person brings unique, different, and important contributions to the workplace and community we serve. With Oregon’s changing demographics, a workforce that reflects this change will make us stronger and create an opportunity for better decision making.

Additional benefits include:

• Work/life balance, 11 paid holidays a year, and a competitive benefits package.

• Advancement and learning opportunities that will help grow your career with the State of Oregon.

• Get There - Oregon’s easy-to-use carpool matching tool and trip planner.

Additional Details:

• The employee in this position will be represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and will be subject to all terms and conditions of the collective bargaining agreement. Pay and benefits on all job listings may change without notice.

• Finalists are subject to both a criminal history and motor vehicles check. Driving is required for this position. Adverse background and/or driving information may disqualify you from further consideration.

• Within three days of hire, applicants will be required to complete the U.S. Department Homeland Security's I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. ODFW participates in E-Verify. ODFW is not able to support VISA sponsorships.

• Eligible veterans who meet the qualifications will be given veterans' preference. For more information, please visit Veterans Resources.

Helpful Links & Resources

How to Set Job Alerts | Workday Applicant FAQ | What You Need to Know to Get the Job

Oregon Job Opportunities Webpage | Classification and Compensation

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer