Initial Posting Date:

07/16/2026

Application Deadline:

07/29/2026

Agency:

Water Resources Department

Salary Range:

$4,738 - $7,247

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Regional Assistant Watermaster, Pendleton (Natural Resource Specialist 2)

Job Description:

If you are someone who thrives at the intersection of natural resource management, collaborative problem‑solving, and hands‑on fieldwork, this role could be perfect for you! The ideal candidate for this position would be a professional who understands the complexity of water systems and who is energized by the challenge of balancing ecological needs with community and agricultural priorities. As an Assistant Watermaster in the North Central Region, you will play a vital role in enforcing water law, protecting both instream and out‑of‑stream water rights, gathering essential hydrologic data, and ensuring the safe construction and management of wells and dams.

Your work will directly support Oregonians across the state, from those who rely on water for agriculture to those who value the recreational and ecological benefits of healthy streamflow’s. Representing the agency in a field‑based capacity, you will respond to water right disputes, public inquiries, and complaints with professionalism and timeliness. In this role, you will embody our core values through respectful communication, strong customer service, effective teamwork, and collaborative problem‑solving. You will also contribute to a welcoming, inclusive workplace culture that values diverse perspectives and fosters positive working relationships across divisions. If you are committed to protecting Oregon’s natural resources and supporting sustainable water management, we invite you to bring your skills and dedication to our team!

Working Title: Regional Assistant Watermaster

Classification: Natural Resource Specialist 2

Position Type: Permanent, Full-Time

Representation: Service Employees International Union (SEIU)

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt (Eligible for Overtime and Compensatory time)

Monthly Compensation: The monthly salary range before PERS* will be $4,738-$7,247 | after PERS* will be $5,067-$7,751.

Work Location: North Central Regional Office- 116 SE Dorion Ave, Pendleton, OR 97801

Relocation Expense: WRD is prepared to offer relocation assistance to the successful candidate. Successful candidate must live within a reasonable commuting distance from the duty station. This reimbursement package must be requested by the successful candidate and approved before accepting the position. For full applicability of this relocation expense reimbursement, you may review the DAS Statewide policy here: 40-055-20.pdf

Hybrid/Remote Work: This position will work frequently at the North Central Regional Office and in the field on and around the North Central Regional office in Pendleton. Hybrid work is available with approval of the manager.

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.

Oregon Water Resources Department Current Strategic Plan

The Oregon Water Resources Department’s strategic priorities 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

The North Central Region thrives on a spirit of resilience, collaboration, and shared purpose. The work is truly meaningful and often changing as we manage water in a landscape shaped by diverse and competing needs, changing conditions, and with deep cultural significance. Our team shows up every day ready to put in the effort, not because the work is easy, but because it matters.

What truly defines this region is the way we support one another. No one is left to shoulder tough decisions or complex fieldwork alone. We rely on each other’s strengths, communicate openly, and celebrate the wins—big or small—that come from working as a unified team. That sense of camaraderie extends beyond our office walls. We value the relationships we’ve built with Tribes, water users, partner agencies, and local communities, and we approach those partnerships with respect, humility, and a commitment to problem‑solving together.

In North Central Region, the work is complex, and we are managing water issues that are shaping and supporting the region’s water resources for generations to come. There is a shared pride in knowing that our collective effort helps vital water users, supports communities, and protects a critical resource. It’s a place where hard work is expected, teamwork is essential, and the process—complex as it may be—is genuinely rewarding.

About the Position

The Assistant Watermaster serves a critical role within the Field Services Division, representing the agency in the North Central Region and ensuring the fair and lawful distribution of Oregon’s water resources. In this position, the Assistant Watermaster responds to water distribution needs in the region by researching relative rights, determining proper allocation, enforcing water law, and preparing reports or evidence when formal enforcement is required.

Some duties of this position could look like:

• Collecting and compiling hydrologic data, including streamflow measurements, gaging station maintenance and repair, and assisting with processing streamflow records.

• Measuring groundwater levels, verifying well locations and ownership, and preparing data and findings reports.

• Assisting with groundwater studies and preparing data reports in collaboration with department hydrogeologists.

• Support the public by helping them research water right, well, and hydrographic records.

• Assist in well inspections to ensure compliance with construction standards and protect groundwater from waste, contamination, and loss of artesian pressure.

Throughout all duties, the Assistant Watermaster is expected to uphold the agency’s core values by fostering respectful communication, delivering strong customer service, participating collaboratively across divisions, and contributing to an inclusive, positive, and productive work environment that supports the long‑term sustainability of Oregon’s water and ecosystems.

Click here for more position description information.

Minimum Qualifications

Two years of experience in natural resources management, and a bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Hydrology, Geology, Civil Engineering, or other natural resource area, or three additional years of related natural resources management experience; OR

one year of experience in natural resources management, and a master's degree in Environmental Science, Hydrology, Geology, Civil Engineering, or other natural resource area; OR

a Doctorate degree in Environmental Science, Hydrology, Geology, Civil Engineering, or other natural resource area.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working on a natural resources program
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong interpersonal relationship skills with the ability to tactfully handle difficult conversations or disagreements with the regulated community and other water partners.
• Proven ability to manage projects that include coordinating with other governmental agencies and community partners.
• Experience with natural resources field data collection and streamflow measurement processes
• Experience with GIS systems, including ArcMap
• Experience reading maps (road, tax-lot, topography)
• Familiarity with handheld devices, tablets, and/or laptops

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

Work in this position occurs in an office and filed settings. Occasional work during weekends may also be necessary. This person may encounter people who become irate when their water diversion systems are regulated. Must be able to wade in swift, cold streams and collect data along and near rivers and canals. Must travel in varied weather and road conditions in motor vehicles, snowmobiles or on skis or snowshoes and navigate rough terrain safely and often alone. Required to make stream flood measurements. May work alone in remote areas. Regular attendance is an essential function. Must occasionally lift up to 75 lbs. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required.

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 provide your resume and cover letter for full consideration.

• Provide a cover letter.

• Provide a resume.

Clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications and desired attributes in your application materials. Your application materials will determine if you are selected to move forward in the selection process. Please include detailed work and education history.

Be sure to check Workday and your email for additional tasks and updates. After hitting submit there may be additional required tasks for you to complete prior to the announcement closing. Please save a copy of this job announcement for reference, as it is not available for you to view after the announcement deadline.

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 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

Eligible veterans and Oregon National Guard servicemembers (current and former) who meet the qualifications of the position will be awarded candidate preference. For more information, please visit Veterans Resources. Be sure to submit your documentation prior to the close date of this posting in order to have the preference considered.

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.

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 | Pay Equity