Initial Posting Date:

04/02/2026

Application Deadline:

04/19/2026

Agency:

Water Resources Department

Salary Range:

$5,458 - $8,352

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Watermaster District 6 (Natural Resource Specialist 3)

Job Description:

The East Region Field Office is hiring a permanent, full-time Watermaster (Natural Resource Specialist 3) for our District 6 La Grande location!

This is an exciting opportunity to choose a unique location and explore a career opportunity close to a wide variety of outdoor recreation and sightseeing activities. These are quiet, rural communities located right along the Historic Oregon trail.

The successful candidate can find a plethora of fishing, hunting, hiking. These locations are home to diverse landscapes which can include deserts, rivers, and forests full of wildlife. Each of these locations hold their own unique opportunities for fun and comfortable living.

Working Title: District 6 Watermaster

Classification: Natural Resource Specialist 3

Position Type: Permanent, Full-time

Representation: Service Employees International Union (SEIU)

FLSA Status: Exempt, not eligible for overtime or compensatory time

Monthly Compensation: The monthly salary range before PERS* will be $5,458-$8,352 | after PERS* will be $5,837-$8,931

Work Location: 10507 N McAlister Road #6, La Grande, OR 97850

Relocation Expense: This position may be eligible for moving expenses for the successful candidate. The final amount offered will vary based on the location of the candidate.

Hybrid/Remote Work: Primarily onsite, frequently in the field; with some hybrid/remote work options. Some in-state travel is required with infrequent overnight travel.

About the Oregon Water Resources Department

The Oregon Water Resources Department is committed to creating a workplace culture that understands and appreciates differences among people and is welcoming and inclusive to all. By fostering fairness and equity in its work culture, the Department strives to improve services for all Oregonians. We acknowledge that not all people have experienced equitable opportunities or fair treatment. We are committed to increasing our awareness and understanding of historic injustices and building a foundation for meaningful change. We value a wide range of professional and lived experiences, and people of underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Our Vision

The vision of the Oregon Water Resources Department is to assure sufficient and sustainable water supplies are available to meet current and future needs.

Our Mission

The Department's mission is to serve the public by practicing and promoting responsible water management through two key goals:

• To directly address Oregon's water supply needs
• To restore and protect streamflows and watersheds in order to ensure the long-term sustainability of Oregon's ecosystems, economy, and quality of life

Core Values

• Integrity – We are accountable for all that we do. We act with honesty and promote transparency.
• Service – We are dedicated to providing outstanding service and treating everyone equitably in our management and stewardship of state resources.
• Technical Excellence – We base our resource decisions on law, science, and expertise.
• Teamwork – We are united in our mission, relying on one another and working together with the communities we serve.
• Forward-Looking – We seek innovative and practical solutions to the water challenges of today and tomorrow.

2019-2024 Strategic Plan

The Oregon Water Resources Department’s strategic priorities for 2019-2024 are to:

• Modernize our management of Oregon’s surface water and groundwater resources to meet instream and out-of-stream uses
• Work to secure Oregon’s instream and out-of-stream water future in the face of increasing water scarcity
• Foster a forward-looking team dedicated to serving Oregonians with integrity and excellence.

About our Team/Division

The Field Services Division of the Water Resources Department is the regulatory arm of the agency. This position is to represent the agency and the Eastern Region of the Field Services Division in a field location with limited supervision from the Region office. This position will address complaints associated with alleged water use violations, coordinate with State and local code and law enforcement authorities, and review and compile data associated with water use and cannabis production sites through research and onsite investigations. This role will respond to distribution complaints and conflicts by researching water rights, determining proper distribution, and implementing required regulation while maintaining a strong working knowledge of water law, court decrees, water right records, property legal descriptions, administrative rules, agency policy and physical aspects of water rights.

This position will work with our surface water section to make streamflow measurements of canals and streams and at gaging stations in compliance with measurement program standards; service, maintain, and repair gaging stations. This position will also handle groundwater, including measurements of water levels in wells, determine well location and ownership, and tie well logs to the proper tax lot. This position will work with the Department’s hydrogeologists to assist with ground water studies, including initial assessment of data collection wells and collection of groundwater level data and assist and provide guidance to water users on the proper installation of measuring devices. This position will also assist the public in researching water right records, well records, and hydrographic records. Including preparing and maintaining summaries of hydrographic records on a computer database for distribution to the public.

About the Position

The Watermaster represents the agency and the Eastern region of the Field Services Division by responding to water rights disputes, informational inquires and complaints and enforcing Oregon Water Law, administrative rules and Water Resource Commission Policies to prevent potential loss of crops, life, property, or aquatic life and protect Oregon’s vital natural resources.

A day in the life of a Watermaster could look like:

• Resolve problems by contacting parties involved and explaining related laws, rules and policies associated with water distribution, water right condition noncompliance, dam safety, and well construction. Mediate disputes if voluntary compliance fails and adjudge them when necessary.
• Research and interpret water right and well log documents for information needed for distribution, to resolve complaints, and provide information to the public upon request as practical
• Research and interpret water law, case law, administrative rules, agency policies, and court decrees as appropriate to resolve disputes within assigned geographic area.
• Distribute available water by controlling the amount of water diverted during times of shortage in accordance with State water laws, water use permit and water right certificate conditions and limitations, policies, internal guidance, etc.
• Document violations of water usage, permit conditions, well construction and reservoir maintenance observed in the field and implement state-wide enforcement policies through personal contact with the violator(s), written notices, letters, affidavits, etc.
• Select sites and approve plans for installation of headgates and other controlling devices, gaging stations, staff gages, weirs, flumes and other measuring devices on streams, wells, canals, and pipelines for regulation and enforcement monitoring purposes.
• Identify water management deficiencies and efficient and effective actions to correct them.
• Assist the Department in the development of water management and stream restoration programs within assigned area.
• Work with county planning departments in assigned area as needed to assure that water rights are accurately identified, apportioned and located when land is partitioned.
• Go out in the field to make flow measurements of canals, streams, rivers and wells using hydrologic data collection instruments and measure water levels in wells to establish water level trends and to monitor established critical ground water areas.

This is not an all-encompassing list and varies based on weather conditions, region, legislative needs and business needs.

Minimum Qualifications

Three years of experience related to water resource management. 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 Hydrology, Water Resource Management, or a related field or three additional years of related (pertinent) experience.
• A master's degree in Hydrology, Water Resource Management, or a related field will substitute for up to one year of the required experience.
• A Doctorate degree in Hydrology, Water Resource Management, or a related field will substitute for up to two years of the required experience.

Pertinent or related experience includes: gathering and analyzing natural resource data and/or coordinating monitoring efforts for a natural resource program and providing technical assistance to the public in a natural resource program explaining laws, rules, and regulations, answering questions, help the public navigate and comply with agency procedures.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal skills to build and retain relationships and the ability to tactfully handle difficult conversations or disagreements.
• Strong conflict resolution with expert ability to provide technical assistance and help the public navigate and comply with Agency and Statewide procedures and laws.
• Knowledge and experience operating and maintaining water measuring devices, telemetry systems, and in collecting and reporting hydrologic data.
• Experience with digital mapping (ArcMap, CAD) and data collection and verification.
• Experience reading maps (road, tax-lot, topography).
• Knowledge and experience operating water measurement tools, computers, surveying equipment, and hand tools.
• Proven ability working with Local Governments, Watershed Councils, SWCDs, Tribes, water right holders, and other local water partners.
• Strong knowledge of state water law and enforcement procedures.

We are most interested in finding the most qualified candidate for the job, and that candidate may not meet every one of our listed preferred qualifications. Paid and unpaid experience may count towards the preferred qualifications. If you are excited about this position, we encourage you to apply. If you are unsure as to whether you meet the preferred qualifications of this position, please contact us to discuss your application.

Working Conditions

This position requires a valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record. Working with people who often get irate when their water diversion works are regulated. This happens daily during times of water distribution and complaint investigation. This position is required to make streamflow measurements. Must tolerate wading in swift, cold streams and work in environments with noxious weeds, insects, and varying climates and terrain conditions. Depending on territory job may occasionally involve the use of snowshoes, cross country skis, all-terrain vehicles or other field equipment. Occasionally conduct stream discharge measurements during flood conditions from bridges or stream banks. Is often alone in remote areas with little to no supervision. Occasionally lift up to 75 pounds.

What’s in it for you?

In addition to offering a culture of care and inclusivity and working among a highly skilled team to dive into meaningful work, we also offer a competitive benefits package that includes:

• PEBB Insurance with exceptional medical, vision and dental plans with employees paying 1 to 5% of the total premium.

• Leave accrual starting at 8 hours of sick and 8 hours of vacation leave per month, with your vacation leave accruals increasing every 5 years.

• Access to an additional four days of discretionary leave - 3 days of personal business leave and one day of Governor’s Leave each year.

• Eleven paid holidays per year.

• Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) including a pension and employer contributions to the Individual Account Program.

• Optional benefits (such as term life insurance, long-term and short-term disability, long-term care, health and dependent care flexible spending accounts, enrollment in the Oregon Savings Growth Plan, a deferred compensation program with a wide variety of investment options).

• The opportunity to receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (must qualify).

Application Requirements

Please ensure to provide your resume and cover letter for full consideration.

• Provide a cover letter.

• Provide a resume.

Please monitor both your email and Workday account for updates regarding this recruitment. You may be asked to submit additional information after initial application. If you have questions about this job posting, please contact Human Resources at WRD_DL_HR@water.oregon.gov.

Current State of Oregon employees must apply through your employee Workday account.

Important Information

PERS Salary Information

* NON-PERS ELIGIBLE (Includes most new hires to state government. Employees typically gain PERS eligibility after six months of state service. PERS ELIGIBLE (Typically current or former employees of Oregon state or local government, public schools, universities, etc.) The salary listed in Workday will state base monthly salary, which is BEFORE PERS.

Accommodations

If you need assistance to participate in the application process, including an accommodation request under the American with Disabilities Act, we invite you to contact the recruiter for accommodation requests under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), application questions or job-specific questions please contact our HR team at wrd_dl_hr@water.oregon.gov.

Future Vacancies

This applicant pool may be used to fill additional vacancies as they occur over the next three (3) months.

Work Authorization

The Oregon Water Resources Department does not offer visa sponsorships. Within three days of hire, all applicants will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States.

Veterans

If you are an eligible veteran or Oregon National Guard Servicemember (current and former), and you meet the qualifications, candidate preference points will be added to your score. For more information on candidate preference points visit Oregon Job Opportunities : Veterans, Disabled Veterans & State Servicemembers : State of Oregon. Please do not attach service member or veteran documentation to your initial application, after you have applied you will be sent a task in your Workday account to provide your veteran documentation at that time. The directions will look as follows: Submit your veteran documents for preference.pdf

Application Review Process

In addition to your related work experience and education, we will use both the minimum and desired qualifications above to determine whom to interview. Please make sure all your relevant qualifications are clearly demonstrated in your application materials. Your application materials may be evaluated on spelling, grammar, punctuation, attention to detail, and presentation.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage

The use of outside resources such as Artificial Intelligence software during the application process (cover letter and resume) and 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 immediate disqualification.

HB3187 Statement

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.

The Oregon Water Resources Department is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer Committed to Workforce Diversity.