Job Description:

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.

Apply Now! This recruitment will remain open till filled with the first review of applications at 8AM on October 3, 2019. This recruitment may close at any time after that date.
Are you passionate about protecting and making a difference with Oregon’s fish and wildlife populations? Do you want to help set state-wide flow priorities for species? Do you have an extensive background applying flow and temperature methodologies to protect fish and wildlife and maintain their habitat? Then this position may be for you! Join the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Water Quantity/Quality Program to impact fisheries resources in regards to instream flow needs. Don’t delay, apply today!
You must attach a resume and cover letter to your application. The cover letter must be no more than 2 pages addressing why you are interested in this position and based on your skills and experience why you would be a good fit.

What you will do:

• Take a leadership role in ODFW’s effort to develop and implement statewide approach to determining fish and wildlife aquatic habitat (including instream) needs and priorities in a future of climate change. Analyze data to determine flows necessary for fish or wildlife by using instream flow data, GIS analysis, hydrologic/hydraulic modeling techniques, species distribution models, climate models, and ecosystem service models. Coordinate research between ODFW research groups, other agencies, contractors, and academics. Develop long-term implementation plans and strategies to be used by ODFW, agency partners, and partners for requesting instream flows and develops strategies for restoring adequate flows to the state’s streams.

• Serve as the principal ODFW representative on the technical aspects of applying flow and temperature methodologies and standards to state and federal instream flow issues. Serve on task forces and committees dealing with instream flow and temperature issues. Oversee and direct the instream flow project staff to design and conduct instream flow studies, which will be used to apply for new instream water rights and for other planning purposes. Design and conduct special studies in hydrologic analysis with a primary focus on developing environmental flows-function relationships to be used in water right acquisitions, water planning, permitting, and monitoring. Establish and define research methodology, scope, content, staff schedules, and budgets for these studies. Provide technical expertise, analyses and evaluations in response to complex technical questions on instream flow methodologies, species temperature and flow needs, and protection of instream flows and/or water rights. Develop and test innovations and improvements in instream flow methods through field studies, data analysis, statistical analysis, and modeling.

• 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 and during legal proceedings involving protests of the instream water right requested. Serve as a member or chair project technical advisory committees for instream hydrologic needs. Represent the State of Oregon as a technical expert in interactions with other states, federal agencies and at conferences on instream flow policies, strategies and methodologies.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required.

Working Conditions
• Work is 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 a 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 travel involving 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.

Criminal Records/DMV Check
Applicants are subject to both a criminal history and motor vehicles check. Out-of-state finalists will be required to present a current certified driving record for review to be considered for the position. Be prepared to obtain as soon as possible. You are expected to provide the out-of-state certified driving record before an offer can be made unless extenuating circumstances exist. Adverse background information may disqualify you from further consideration.

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.

We are seeking applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and have the following skills and experience:

Minimum Qualifications:

Five years of experience performing studies, research, or resource management activities in a fisheries, hydrology, water management, stream ecology, environmental studies, or related field with a focus in instream flow or hydrology. At least three years of the experience must be at a technical or professional level in a fisheries, hydrology, water management, stream ecology, environmental studies, or related field with a focus in instream flow or hydrology 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 Science, Hydrology, Water Management, Stream Ecology, Environmental Studies or a closely-related Bachelor’s degree with a focus in instream flow or hydrology 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 focus in instream flow or hydrology.

A Master’s degree in Fisheries Science, Hydrology, Water Management, Stream Ecology, Environmental Studies or a closely-related Master’s degree with a focus in instream flow or hydrology will substitute for up to one year of the required experience.

A Doctorate degree in Fisheries Science, Hydrology, Water Management, Stream Ecology, Environmental Studies or a closely-related Doctorate degree with a focus in instream flow or hydrology 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.

Requested Skills:
• Preference will be given to applicants with an advanced degree in the related educational fields listed above

• Research and experience in instream flow studies, fisheries and hydrology, and water policy

• Training and leading staff in flow studies

• Conducting empirical or modeling evaluations

• Intermediate to advanced experience using ArcGIS software

• Presenting information to varying audiences on technically difficult or controversial issues

You must attach a resume and cover letter to your application. The cover letter must be no more than 2 pages addressing why you are interested in this position and based on your skills and experience why you would be a good fit.

Additional Information:

Your answers to the supplemental questions must be supported by the “Job History” (Work Experience) section in your application or you may not be considered for this position. Resumes will not replace the completed “Job History” section in your online application. You may be disqualified if your experience listed in the “Job History” section does not include information used to: 1) meet the minimum qualifications of the job and 2) back up your answers to the supplemental questions. If any of the positions listed in your application are part time or seasonal, be sure to include the dates you worked (month and year) and the average amount of hours worked per week in the duties section. Only those individuals who most closely match the requested skills will be invited to an interview.

Note: You will be required to provide a copy of your official or unofficial transcripts (online transcripts 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), if you are using education to qualify. Transcripts can be attached to your application in the Resume/Cover Letter attachments field when you apply.

After you submit your application, be sure to respond to the public records request authorization questions immediately following your submittal. These questions are necessary to complete the application process.

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.

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.

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 listings may change without notice.

Veterans – If you are an eligible veteran and you meet the qualifications, veterans’ preference points will be added to your score.  For more information on veterans’ preference points visit www.oregonjobs.org and select Veterans resources under Resources. Please do not attach veteran documentation to your initial application, after you have applied you will be sent a task in your Workday account to provide your veteran documentation at that time.

Find information on State of Oregon benefits

More information about our agency can be found on our social media accounts and at myodfw.com  and http://www.dfw.state.or.us/

Apply here: https://oregon.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/SOR_External_Career_Site/job/Salem-Headquarters—ODFW/Natural-Resource-Specialist-4–Instream-Scientist-Hydrologist-_REQ-21788