Certificates Program Analyst (Natural Resource Specialist 3)

Initial Posting Date:

10/30/2026

Application Deadline:

11/16/2026

Agency:

Water Resources Department

Salary Range:

$5,458 - $8,352

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Certificates Program Analyst (Natural Resource Specialist 3)

Job Description:

Are you passionate about public service, public speaking, and teaching others? Are you conversant in infrastructure, land boundaries, regulatory frameworks, and data? Do you enjoy improving existing processes and leading your colleagues toward a shared goal? If so, the Certificates Program Analyst position may be for you!

Water rights in Oregon can be complicated but are a critical aspect of economic activity and maintenance of ecosystem services in Oregon. The Certificates Program at the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) examines Claims of Beneficial Use to determine if a water user has complied with conditions of water use as outlined in a water right permit. When a Certificate is issued, the water right holder is entitled to use water as provided by Oregon Water Law.

The Certificates Program Analyst position works collaboratively with the Certificates Program team to perform analysis and research, interpret laws, rules, and policy, and provide technical or policy interpretations to address natural resource-oriented problems around the water Certificates Program. While not having supervisor responsibility, this position may assist in setting the workload priorities for other Certificate-related staff. This position also serves as OWRD’s lead contact with the Oregon State Board of Examiners for Engineering and Land Surveying, including the Certified Water Right Examiners exam program and annual continuing education program .

Working Title: Certificates Program Analyst

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: North Mall Office Building, 725 Summer St. NE Suite A, Salem Oregon 97301.

Hybrid/Remote Work: Hybrid work eligible. The position works at least 1-2 days per week within the North Mall Office Building, and the quantity of office days may be adjusted based on business need with notice. Hybrid schedule agreed upon by manager. The position requires occasional travel within the state, including overnight travel. Ability and authorization to drive is essential to be able to travel for the entire business week once a year to meet with customers around the state.

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.

OWRD Strategic and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice Plan 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.

Equity Statement

Water is a shared, vital, and finite resource. The Oregon Water Resources Department strives for meaningful engagement, transparent decision-making, and accessible services. Together we will build a resilient and equitable water future for this generation and the many to come.

About our Team/Division

The Division: The Water Right Services Division (Division) is responsible for evaluation of all water right, transfer, extension of time for both permits and transfers, instream lease, allocation of conserved water, and limited license applications. In addition, the Division administers the following water right-related programs: water right certification; permit cancellation; adjudication of pre-1909 vested water rights; water management and conservation plans; hydroelectric licensing; water right information and customer service; and water right program and policy development.

The Division is responsible for public notice of applications and for responding to public interest inquiries and concerns. The Division receives and evaluates comments and protests concerning proposed water uses. The Division must ensure coordination with local governments and other state and federal agencies concerning proposed water allocations. Final determination of water right related applications involves a legal property right and may involve litigation in Oregon or federal court.

The Section: The Water Rights Development Section is under the Water Right Services Division. The Development Section focuses on the process of developing a water right. This includes adjudications of water use claims pre-dating the 1909 Oregon Water Code and 1955 Groundwater Act, issuance of certificates and extensions, and Water Management and Conservation Planning.

Obtaining a water right is a multi-step process. First, an applicant submits a water right application. If the application is approved, the permit specifies a timeframe during which the permit holder must develop their water right consistent with permit conditions. If they need additional time, they may file for an extension. The user has one year from making full beneficial use of water to submit a report to the Department. The Department reviews this claim of beneficial use and, if the user has successfully proved up on their water use, the Department issues a water right certificate. Municipalities may incrementally develop their municipal water use permits and are required in many cases to submit a Water Management and Conservation Plan (WMCP). Approval of a WMCP may result in access to another increment of water that the municipal water use permit holder may develop. Some water rights are determined through an adjudication (judicial proceeding) that determines how much water was developed prior to adoption of the 1909 Oregon Water Code and 1955 Groundwater Act.

What each of these post-permit processes have in common is that they evaluate how much water was developed within a specific timeframe, in accordance with applicable requirements, and how much remains to be developed. These processes comprise the Extensi