Natural Resource Specialist 3 (Rangeland Health Specialist)

State of Oregon • Enterprise, AL

13d • Remote

About The Position

The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) is seeking to hire a well-qualified Natural Resource Specialist 3 (Rangeland Health Specialist) to help support The Noxious Weed Control Program. If you have experience with multi-jurisdictional resource management, and are knowledgeable about western rangelands, please apply today! As a Rangeland Health Specialist, you will be responsible for assisting with planning, implementation and coordination of noxious weed management activities for noxious weed species, with an emphasis on invasive annual grasses. This position will be based out of East of the Cascades in Oregon and work remotely in Malheur, Lake, Harney, Crook, Baker, Jefferson, or Klamath counties. Please note that this is a limited duration position. Funding for this position is provided by a cooperative agreement with the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) through 2029. Each biennium, (23-25, 25-27 etc.) funding is provided to the agency for that time period. As such, ODA has been provided funding for this biennium through 6/30/2027 and, we anticipate receiving the funding for the 25-27 biennium effective 7/1/25-6/30/27, and so on. The duration may be extended based on agency need and budget approval.

Requirements

• Three years of experience in natural resources. At least 1 year of the experience must be in project management, research, analyzing data, conducting investigations, applying pertinent laws and regulations, or coordinating & monitoring project activities; AND A Bachelor's degree in an Agriculture, Biology, Plant Science, Agronomy, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Rangeland Science or related area.
• OR A total of 5 years of related experience in natural resources. At least two years of the experience must be in project management, research, analyzing data, conducting investigations, applying pertinent laws and regulations, or coordinating & monitoring project activities.
• Note: A Master's degree in an Agriculture or related education will substitute for up to one year of the required experience. A Doctorate degree in an Agriculture or related education will substitute for up to two years of the required experience.
• Within 30 days of hire, this position is required to have and maintain a regulatory weed herbicide applicator license.
• A valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrable skills and experience with landscape scale management and restoration projects, particularly in rangeland or prairie ecosystems
• Deep working knowledge of western rangelands; including historical land-use, wildfire ecology, and their role in carbon sequestration
• Experience with management of noxious weeds and/or invasive annual grasses at the landscape scale
• Experience with multi-jurisdictional resource management; previous experience coordinating multi-jurisdictional management activities
• Experience with technical writing
• Must have knowledge and experience or the ability to gain knowledge and experience through training in driving 4x4 off road vehicle in rugged terrain areas.
• Experience collecting, analyzing and manipulating, spatial data with GIS
• Knowledge of Integrated Pest Management principles

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with partners and cooperators to Identify and pursue funding opportunities for collaborative projects
• Act as a point of contact for the agency regarding invasive annual grass and rangeland health
• Serve as a regional and statewide resource/liaison for industry stakeholders, state and federal agency partners and the public

Benefits

• The State of Oregon offers a competitive and affordable health and benefits package, including excellent medical, vision and dental coverage, paid holidays off, and personal business leave, as well as paid and accrued vacation leave and sick leave.
• In addition to standard medical benefits and employee leave, the state also provides additional optional benefits, such as basic life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, deferred compensation savings program, and flexible spending accounts for health care and childcare expenses.
• More information is available from the Public Employees Benefit Board.
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are embedded in the Department of Agriculture core values. Employees at all levels of the agency work together to foster fairness, equity, inclusion, and belonging. The department strives to be a model employer committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.

What This Job Offers

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