Certificates Program Analyst (Natural Resource Specialist 3)

State of Oregon • Salem, OR

9d • $5,458 - $8,352 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Certificates Program Analyst serves as a technical expert for the Oregon Water Resources Department’s Certificates Program within the Water Rights Development Section. The program examines Claims of Beneficial Use to determine whether water users have complied with the conditions of their water rights. The position leads analysis and research on complex certificate and proof questions, interprets laws, rules, and policies, and develops strategies and technical or policy interpretations to address natural-resource problems. It also helps bring program practices into alignment with existing or changing requirements.

The role may coordinate workload priorities for certificate-related staff, working with the Water Rights Development Section Manager, but has no supervisory responsibility. It serves as the Department’s lead contact with the Oregon State Board of Examiners for Engineering and Land Surveying, drafts and scores the Certified Water Right Examiners examination, coordinates and leads annual continuing-education workshops, and develops program policy memos and guidelines. The position may also serve as the primary certificate-related contact for Department staff.

The position is based at the North Mall Office Building in Salem, Oregon, and is hybrid eligible. It requires working in the office at least one to two days per week, with the schedule agreed upon with the manager and subject to business needs. Occasional in-state travel, including overnight travel, is required; the employee must be able and authorized to drive for an annual business-week trip to meet with customers around the state. Work is primarily desk-based in a cubicle, involving extended computer use, phone and video meetings, and substantial reading, research, and analysis of large documents. The role also involves public communications, including explaining difficult concepts to people who may be frustrated.

Requirements

• Three years of experience in natural resources or a related field, including at least one year at a technical or professional level performing activities such as researching and analyzing data, conducting investigations, applying relevant laws and regulations, or coordinating and monitoring project activities.
• A bachelor’s degree in natural resources or a related field, or three additional years of pertinent experience. A master’s degree in natural resources or a related field may substitute for up to one year of the required experience.
• Ability and authorization to drive for required travel within Oregon, including an annual business-week trip meeting customers around the state.
• Regular attendance to meet the demands of the job and provide necessary services.
• Ability to explain difficult concepts using verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 30 pounds.

Nice To Haves

• Attention to detail and quality control.
• Ability to analyze facts and data, reach conclusions, and accurately distill highly technical and complex information.
• Experience analyzing and applying statutes, administrative rules, and policies to agency or water-management decisions and developing clear, defensible decision documents.
• Problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, including identifying connections and generating ideas for navigating complex problems and improving processes.
• Technical writing and proofreading skills.
• Experience conducting advanced research on water rights, including historical and current status.
• Project-management and organizational skills, including prioritizing work, meeting deadlines, adapting to changing daily tasks, and monitoring and reporting deliverables.
• Experience managing large projects or statewide programs, breaking work into manageable pieces, setting measurable goals and schedules, tracking progress and deliverables, and coordinating and communicating with project partners.
• Experience working with technical teams on change initiatives or multifaceted projects and evaluating them with a process-improvement mindset.
• Experience collaborating and facilitating within and across teams, with management, and with external parties to address complex inquiries and advance high-profile projects.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships and navigate conflicting interests professionally and courteously.
• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and promptly with diverse audiences and tactfully handle difficult conversations or disagreements.
• Ability to facilitate meetings, prepare and present materials, and speak effectively in public.
• Excellence in internal and external customer service and relationship building.

Responsibilities

• Lead analysis and research on complex certificate and proof questions so staff can evaluate Claims of Beneficial Use and Final Proof Surveys.
• Interpret laws, rules, and policies and provide technical or policy interpretations for natural-resource problems related to the Certificates Program.
• Develop strategies for addressing program issues and participate in activities to align practices with existing or changing laws, rules, and policies.
• Coordinate and set workload priorities for certificate-related staff when directed by or working with the Water Rights Development Section Manager.
• Serve as the Department’s lead contact with the Oregon State Board of Examiners for Engineering and Land Surveying.
• Draft and score the annual Certified Water Right Examiners examination.
• Coordinate and lead the annual continuing-education program and workshops for Certified Water Right Examiners and other interested people.
• Develop Department policy memoranda and guidelines related to the Certificates Program.
• Respond to certificate-related questions from Department staff and, as needed, serve as their primary certificate-related contact.
• Communicate with applicants, agents, agency partners, stakeholders, and the public, including explaining difficult concepts and handling disagreements.

Benefits

• PEBB medical, vision, and dental insurance plans, with employees paying 1% to 5% of the total premium.
• Monthly accrual of 8 hours of sick leave and 8 hours of vacation leave, with vacation accrual increasing every five years.
• Four additional discretionary leave days each year: three days of personal business leave and one Governor’s Leave day.
• Eleven paid holidays per year.
• Public Employees Retirement System membership, including a pension and employer contributions to the Individual Account Program.
• Optional benefits including term life insurance, long-term and short-term disability, long-term care, health and dependent-care flexible spending accounts, and enrollment in the Oregon Savings Growth Plan deferred compensation program.
• Potential eligibility for loan forgiveness through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level