Make a Difference in Oregon’s Natural Resources!

ODFW Mission: To protect and enhance Oregon’s fish and wildlife and their habitats for use and enjoyment by present and future generations.

• This position is with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) located in Salem.

• This recruitment will be used to establish a list of qualified people to fill the current vacancy and may be used to fill other vacancies as they occur.

• All applicants who applied under job posting number ODFW17-0081 or ODFW17-0081A and qualified do not need to reapply, your application will be considered with this job posting.

• The employee in this position will be represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and will be subject to all terms and conditions of the collective bargaining agreement. Pay and benefits on all job postings may change without notice.

• You must submit your application online. Paper applications will not be accepted.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is seeking an expert on water flow needs for fish and wildlife to provide the Department with direction on how to identify flow needs for fish and wildlife and their habitat. The primary duty of this position will be evaluating and providing recommendations to staff, other local, state and federal agencies and the public on the impacts of water use to fish and wildlife needs. Major duties and responsibilities are to:

• Review or assist district staff in review and analysis of water right applications, transfers and extensions. Develop recommendations on conditioning water rights to protect the state’s fish and wildlife resources for both low flow minimums as well as peak and elevated flows for channel maintenance. Participate in discussions and negotiations to resolve conflicts between water right use and fish and wildlife protections.  

• Serve as the principal ODFW representative on the technical aspects of applying flow methodologies to state and federal instream flow issues, (except for the Columbia River). Serve on task forces and committees dealing with instream flow. Present ODFW’s technical review, analysis and evaluation of instream flow studies and water use impacts. Identify and assist regions in making requests for additional information and appropriate studies for determining needed flows for protecting fish and wildlife and their habitat. Provide technical expertise and policy consultation to other ODFW staff on instream flow methodologies and protection of instream flows and/or water rights.

• Develop, design and implement instream flow studies using most appropriate method. Use experience, knowledge and training in instream flow methodologies, hydraulics, river mechanics, geomorphologic processes, hydrology and fish biology to develop, design and implement studies. Seek funds from state, federal and other sources to implement studies. Manage temporary or seasonal staff to collect and compile data. Analyze data using instream flow modeling techniques. Determine instream flow levels necessary for fish or wildlife. 

• Prepare and apply to the Water Resources Department for instream water rights using appropriate flow studies to determine the flow levels needed to protect fish, wildlife and their habitat. Organize, maintain, store and make available instream water rights which have been issued by the Water Resources Department or applied for by ODFW. Make recommendations to and work with the Water Resources Department and ODFW staff to improve the instream water right application process and protecting instream water rights.

• Work extensively with ODFW’s hydropower program, hydroelectric operators and their consultants to evaluate and review flow studies used to establish the necessary flows needed to protect fish and wildlife during the hydroelectric licensing process. Work with regional hydroelectric coordinators to provide comments and recommendations on how to improve studies to more successfully describe the flows necessary for the protection of fish, wildlife and their habitat. Participate in negotiations with operators when establishing required flows for hydroelectric licenses. Advise regional hydroelectric coordinators on adequacies of flow studies and flow needs and constraints.

• Work with the ODFW Water Program Policy Coordinator and section manager to develop the Department’s policies for application of instream and flow restoration needs. Work with ODFW regional staff to maintain statewide consistency in the interpretation and application of instream flow policies, technical applications and needs. 

• Represent the State of Oregon as its technical expert in interactions with other states, federal agencies and at conferences on instream flow policies, strategies and methodologies. Serve as the ODFW expert witness on instream flow methods as used in determining flow requirements of fish and wildlife for Instream Water Rights applications. Provide the technical justification and defends the appropriateness of flows requested by ODFW through the instream water rights application process. Represent the technical aspects of flows requested by ODFW during legal proceedings involving protests of the instream water right requested.

• Develop and maintain close familiarity with research and development of instream flow assessment methodologies through published and unpublished literature, personal contacts, field studies, training courses and conferences. Develop and test innovations and improvements in instream flow methods through field studies, data analysis and modeling. Apply recent advancements and improvements in instream flow assessment to Department studies to improve Department flow recommendations and instream water right requests.


Working Conditions

• Work conducted primarily indoors in an office environment. Occasional long hours and meetings involving complex, controversial and sensitive technical and policy issues and legal actions. Requires the ability to resolve problems and negotiate settlements as part of interagency meetings, public hearings, and administrative proceedings with public and private entities and individuals.

• Occasional field work in inclement weather along and/or in boulder strewn streams with slippery uneven surfaces. Occasional weekend and overnight stays. Frequent automobile and airline travel to single or several day meetings around the state.

• Requires a flexible work schedule that varies in the number of hours worked on a daily basis, but not necessarily each day, or a work schedule in which the starting and stopping times vary on a daily basis, but not necessarily each day. This includes working at all hours and workdays in excess of eight hours. 

NOTE: You must have a valid driver license and an acceptable driving record. 
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will check driving records for in-state finalists. Out-of-state finalists will be required to present a current driving record for review. 

NOTE: Within three-days of hire, applicants will be required to complete the U.S. Department Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. ODFW participates in E-Verify. ODFW is not able to support VISA sponsorships.

 
Minimum Qualifications

• Five years of experience performing studies, research, or resource management activities in a fisheries, wildlife, hydrology, water management, stream ecology, environmental studies, or related fields with a research focus in a fisheries and water program. At least three years of the experience must be at a technical or professional level in a fisheries, wildlife, hydrology, water management, stream ecology, environmental studies, or related fields with a research focus in a fisheries and water program performing the following technical activities researching and analyzing data, conducting investigations, applying pertinent laws and regulations, or coordinating and monitoring project activities; AND 

• A Bachelor’s degree in Fisheries or Wildlife Science, Hydrology, Water Management, Stream Ecology, Environmental Studies or a closely-related Bachelor’s degree with a research focus in fisheries and water with at least 45 quarter (30 semester) hours of related coursework, or three additional years of experience performing studies, research, or resource management activities in hydrology, water management, fisheries, stream ecology, environmental studies, or related fields with a research focus in a fisheries and water program.

A Master’s degree in Fisheries or Wildlife Science, Hydrology, Water Management, Stream Ecology, Environmental Studies or a closely-related Master’s degree with a research focus in a fisheries and water program will substitute for up to one year of the required experience.

A Doctorate degree in Fisheries or Wildlife Science, Hydrology, Water Management, Stream Ecology, Environmental Studies or a closely-related Doctorate degree with a research focus in a fisheries and water program will substitute for up to two years of the required experience.

Applicants who have obtained a Master’s degree or Doctorate that included work experience from an internship, work/study, thesis, or similar program may list this experience in their application to receive credit for the work experience. The Master’s degree/Doctorate and applicable work experience will be considered separately and both the education and applicable experience may count toward minimum qualifications.

Your application materials must clearly describe how you meet these qualifications. Answers to the supplemental questions must be supported in the “Work Experience” section of your Oregon E-Recruit application.

Note: You are strongly encouraged to attach a copy of all transcripts (if education is required to qualify) in order to receive credit for college degrees or coursework. If your transcripts are not attached, you will be required to provide a copy of your official or original transcripts (online are acceptable) during the selection process that show your name, the name/address of the institution, coursework with passing grades, and degree conferred (including date) to validate education, if necessary.

Requested Skills
Preference will be given to applicants with an advanced degree in hydrology, water management, fisheries, stream ecology, environmental studies, or related fields with a research focus in fisheries and water. Additional preference will be given to applicants with the following knowledge and/or experience:

• Research and experience in both fisheries and hydrology
• Understanding and use of PHABSIM modeling software and/or System for Environmental Flow Analysis (SEFA) modeling software
• Using hydrologic, hydraulic models, or climate change data
• Intermediate to expert GIS experience
• Training and leading field staff in flow studies
• Conducting Aquatic Habitat Inventories (AHI)
• Conducting redd surveys or field identification of spawning habitat
• Understanding of Oregon water law, prior appropriation system, and ISWR rules and statues
• Presenting information to varying audiences on technically difficult or controversial issues.

Your answers to the supplemental questions must be supported by the “Work Experience” section in your Oregon E-Recruit application or you may not be considered for this position.
 
Resumes will not replace the completed “Work Experience” section in your online application. You may be disqualified if your work experience does not include information used to: 1) meet the minimum qualifications of the job and 2) back up your answers to the supplemental questions. Only those individuals who most closely match the requested skills will be invited to an interview.
 
Only complete applications will be considered. Be sure to answer all supplemental questions and attach all required documents. Late submissions will not be accepted. If you need assistance with adding attachments to your profile or to a specific job posting please go to www.oregonjobs.org and click on frequently asked questions under Resources. This quick help guide can be found under Application Process – Completing and Submitting an Application (bullet about half way down).
 
Note: A resume (text or attached) will not be reviewed for work experience unless stated in the job posting that it is a required attachment.
 
To apply, follow the “Apply” link above and complete the Oregon Employment Application online. You must click the ‘Confirm’ button at the end of the application by the posted close date to be considered for the job posting. All application materials (including transcripts) must be received by the closing date/date posted on this job posting.
 
YOU MUST APPLY ONLINE BY 11:59 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2018.

Interviews: Applicants whose responses most closely match the requested skills and needs for this position will be invited to an interview. If called for an interview, applicants will be asked to sign a reference authorization and release form at the time of interview.

Reasonable accommodations for interviews will be provided upon request to individuals with disabilities.

If you are experiencing difficulty applying for this position or have questions, please contact the ODFW Human Resources office at 503-947-6051.