NW Region Well Inspector (Natural Resource Specialist 2)

State of Oregon • Salem, OR

3d • $4,738 - $7,247 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Well Inspector position is within the Field Services Division and performs complex inspections on water supply wells, monitoring wells, and geotechnical holes. The person in this position is expected to read, comprehend and enforce complicated statutes and rules regarding the construction, maintenance, conversion and abandonment of wells. These wells include drinking water wells, irrigation wells and monitoring wells. This position follows-up on complaints, documents daily work activities, tries to achieve voluntary compliance from licensed well-constructors, landowners constructing their own wells, municipalities, and businesses. In addition, the person in this position conducts investigations, documents violations, assembles case files and makes recommendations for formal enforcement action for the purpose of protecting the groundwater resource from contamination, loss of artesian pressure, and waste. The position provides professional guidance and training to Watermaster staff and other staff in conducting thorough well inspections and documenting evidence collected during inspections. Well inspectors will independently perform on site investigations, technical Well Report reviews, provide continuing education training, technical information and assistance, and verify information submitted by licensed well constructors, landowners and consultants. This position will perform work with our core values in mind. The person in this position performs duties in a manner which promotes customer service and harmonious working relationships, including treating all persons courteously and respectfully; engages in effective team participation through a willingness to assist and support co-workers, supervisors, and other work related associations; develops good working relationships with division and agency staff through active participation in accomplishing the agency mission and resolving problems in a constructive manner; demonstrates openness to constructive feedback in an effort to strengthen work performance; and contributes to a positive, respectful, and productive work environment. The Field Services Division seeks to promote a workplace culture that understands and appreciates differences among people, utilizes that understanding and appreciation to improve our services, and fosters a work culture that is welcoming and inclusive to all.

Requirements

• Two years of experience related to natural resource management, and a Bachelor's degree in Hydrology, Geology, Civil Engineering, or other natural resource area, or three additional years of pertinent experience; OR One year of experience in Hydrology, Geology, Civil Engineering, or other natural resource area, and a Master’s degree in Hydrology, Geology, Civil Engineering, or other natural resource area.
• Gathering and analyzing natural resource data and/or coordinating monitoring efforts for a natural resource program.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Experience using ArcGIS, SQL, Python, or other similar GIS, database, or programming languages and software.
• Ability to use field data collection equipment, including mobile GPS and tablets.
• Experience with overseeing natural resource projects or natural resource contractors, including; prioritizing timelines, deadlines, and deliverables, and coordinating with project partners in a respectful, factual and clear way.
• Knowledge of well drilling or well construction.
• Experience in performing regulatory compliance with reference to Law, Statute, and Policy and basic safety measures in the field.
• Experience providing technical assistance to a diverse range of customers, with the ability to distill complex information into clear accessible guidance.
• Strong ability to build interpersonal relationships and manage conflicts.
• Desire to broaden learning and seek professional development, as well as accepting direction by colleagues and supervisors to ensure the work is done well for the State of Oregon.

Responsibilities

• Performs complex well inspections on water supply wells, monitoring wells, and geotechnical holes.
• Reads, comprehends, and enforces complicated statutes and rules regarding the construction, maintenance, conversion and abandonment of wells.
• Follows up on complaints and documents daily work activities.
• Achieves voluntary compliance from licensed well-constructors, landowners constructing their own wells, municipalities, and businesses.
• Conducts investigations, documents violations, assembles case files, and makes recommendations for formal enforcement action.
• Provides professional guidance and training to Watermaster staff and other staff in conducting thorough well inspections and documenting evidence collected during inspections.
• Independently performs on-site investigations, technical Well Report reviews, provides continuing education training, technical information and assistance, and verifies information submitted by licensed well constructors, landowners and consultants.
• Promotes customer service and harmonious working relationships.
• Engages in effective team participation.
• Develops good working relationships with division and agency staff.
• Demonstrates openness to constructive feedback.
• Contributes to a positive, respectful, and productive work environment.

Benefits

• 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).

What This Job Offers

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