Initial Posting Date:
10/07/2019
Application Deadline:
10/28/2019
Agency:
Department of Fish and Wildlife
Salary Range:
$4,312 – $6,294
Position Type:
Employee
Position Title:
Natural Resource Specialist 3 (Instream Flow Specialist)
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.
Are you passionate about protecting and making a difference with Oregon’s fish and wildlife populations? Do you have a background in conducting water quality and quantity analyses and evaluating hydrologic, hydraulic, water quality and biological data for use in determining aquatic species flow and water quality needs? 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!
What you will do:
• Develop comprehensive mitigation strategies and guidance to be used in all ODFW’s instream water right consent to injury and new water right reviews to ensure that mitigation proposals for water quality, water quantity, and physical habitat provide required benefits to fish and wildlife and their habitat. Work with the ODFW Water Policy Coordinator to determine consistency with relevant legislation and regulations. Coordinate with district staff on the development of complex site-specific mitigation proposals and consent to injury of water rights. Write technical reports including analysis, conclusions, and recommendations. Conduct follow-up investigations.
• Work with Instream Flow Project staff to develop, design, and implement instream flow and water quality studies. Use experience, knowledge and training in instream flow methodologies, hydraulics, river mechanics, geomorphologic processes, hydrology, water quality and fish biology to develop, design and implement studies. Analyze flow data and determines instream flow levels necessary for fish or wildlife by using instream flow data, flow modeling techniques, species distribution models, climate data, ecosystem service models. Analyses water quality to determine water quality necessary for fish or wildlife including temperature, turbidity, dissolved oxygen.
• Conduct technical analyses and evaluation of complex water right applications, transfers, and reservations impacts on fish and wildlife and their habitat. Develop municipal extension water right recommendations to Oregon Water Resources Department to ensure the persistence of fish and wildlife species. Lead technical analyses associated with complex, basin-specific water issues. Assist regions in making requests for additional information and conduct appropriate studies for determining needed flows and temperature for protecting fish and wildlife and their habitat. Work 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. Analyze data to determine flows necessary for fish or wildlife by using instream flow data, GIS analysis, hydrologic/hydraulic modeling techniques, species distribution models. Uses hydrologic and hydraulic modeling techniques for decision making (including PHABSIM, SEFA)
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
• Most of the work takes place in a general office environment. Some work is outside, working in inclement weather, which includes in cold, swift streams.
• Must be able to work and communicate effectively with ODFW staff, other government agencies, private timber companies, and other private landowners.
• The person in this position must have the ability to work under demanding conditions with short timelines. It is required that the employee in this position must maintain a high degree of accuracy when performing quality assurance for agency staff.
• Occasional overnight statewide travel is required.
• 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.
• 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:
• Three years of biological experience performing studies, research, or resource management activities in a fisheries, hydrology, water quality, water management, stream ecology, environmental studies, or related field with a focus in instream flow or hydrology. At least one year 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 activities such as 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.
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
• Conducting empirical or modeling evaluations
• Intermediate to advanced experience using ArcGIS software
• Presenting information to varying audiences on technically difficult or controversial issues
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.
The job posting closes at 11:59 PM (PDT/PST) on the close date. 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/
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer