Initial Posting Date:

11/05/2025

Application Deadline:

11/16/2025

Agency:

Water Resources Department

Salary Range:

$4,622 - $7,070

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Natural Resource Specialist 2 (Groundwater Data Specialist)

Job Description:

Working Title:  Groundwater Data Specialist

Classification:  Natural Resource Specialist 2

Position Type:  Full Time, Permanent

Representation:  Service Employees International Union (SEIU)

FLSA Status:  Non-Exempt, eligible for overtime in the form of compensatory time with manager pre-approval

Monthly Compensation: The monthly salary range before PERS* will be $4,622-$7,070 | after PERS* will be $4,943-$7,562

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

Hybrid/Remote Work: This position is hybrid eligible with manager pre-approval, some in office and field work will be required.

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.   

2019-2024 Strategic Plan

The Oregon Water Resources Department’s strategic priorities for 2019-2024 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.  

  

About our Team/Division  

This position exists in the Groundwater Section of the Technical Services Division. The groundwater section supports the agency's mission "to serve the public by practicing and promoting responsible water management" through implementation of the Groundwater Act of 1955 (ORS 537.505 to 537.795 and 537.992) and related administrative rules. Groundwater section staff participate in all facets of the agency's core work as described in its 2025 strategic plan; they are the primary entity responsible for collecting groundwater data statewide, organizing and interpreting that data, and applying that data and information to support groundwater right transactions  (supporting Water Rights Services Division (WRSD)), the distribution and regulation of groundwater (supporting the Field Services Division (FSD)), and planning efforts to meet future groundwater needs (supporting the Water Resource Department Policy team (WRDP) and the Directors Office).

The groundwater section contributes directly to advancing Recommended Action Items 1a (Conduct Additional Groundwater Investigations), 1b (Improve Water Resources Data Collection and Monitoring), 1c (Coordinate Inter-Agency Data Collection, Processing, and Use), and 11e (Develop Additional Groundwater Protections) of the State’s 2017 Integrated Water Resources Strategy. The Oregon Water Resources Department 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.

About the Position 

The primary purpose of the Groundwater Data Specialist is to support the Groundwater Section by processing, analyzing, and maintaining groundwater data from a variety of sources. The position also provides occasional field and technical support for data collection and instrumentation, as well as for water right transactions. This position serves as a liaison with the public in multiple forums including a citizen science groundwater level data collection program, as well as programs to collect groundwater level and pumping test data from water right holders. As part of a groundwater data team, this position supports the Groundwater section, other Department sections, and the public. This position receives assignments from the section manager, assistant section manager, groundwater data developers, and senior hydrogeologist staff.

Database Maintenance

• Collate, organize and enter hydrogeologic data in the groundwater databases, including groundwater, IT, the CGWA database, and others. Data includes water level, water use, aquifer parameters, and other data and information associated with groundwater sites (groundwater, IT), as well as groundwater use and allocation information (CGWA). This task includes review, analysis, maintenance, and entry of the data submitted on the State Observation Well Net, permit conditions compliance programs, and Pump Test Programs.
• Review database errors and omissions log – correct/update identified database fields, and/or assign to basin hydrogeologist as necessary. Advise Groundwater Data Developers on systemic data quality problems and assist in design of solutions for processing and managing data.
• Enter groundwater data from historic paper records into databases.
• Support data entry from current observation well sites as needed.
• Collaborate with the Groundwater Data Developer and Sr. Data Developer to create, modify, and run software to query, manipulate, and update data in the database.
• Provide customer service to external parties who are interacting with public facing databases

Coordinate Permit Condition Static Water Level Program

• Coordinate the tasks necessary to ensure successful collection of permit condition water levels submitted by water right holders.
• Build and send reminder letters, receive submittals, enter submittals into database, update address records, document processes, and other tasks as needed for program to operate efficiently.
• Provide customer service via phone and email to water right holders and licensed professionals regarding questions about compliance with the program.
• Evaluate and document systematic problems with data collection and processing tools and workflows.

Coordinate Pump Test Program

• Coordinate the pump test program outlined in OAR 690-217. 
• Receive submittals, enter data into the database, perform initial assessment, distribute for senior hydrogeologist assessment/review, and document/route assessment results.
• Provide customer service via phone and email to water right holders or licensed professionals regarding questions about compliance with the program.

Process Recorder Well Data

• Process high-frequency, time-series transducer data using WISKI, correct data with manual measurements, and ensure data is automatically uploaded to public facing website.
• Maintain and update data from current recorder wells and process backlog of recorder data.

Maintain Groundwater References

• Maintain physical and electronic groundwater references. 
• Transfer electronic references to the Zotero reference management software platform and work to integrate these references with GIS and other software used by the groundwater section. 
• In coordination with groundwater manager and hydrogeologists, design and implement a modern electronic file structure for groups/gwater and review/transfer historic data to new file structure as needed.

Support Records Retention Policy Implementation 

• Assess existing physical and electronic documents with regards to records retention policy.

Support Documentation of Groundwater Section Processes

• Support development and maintenance of documentation related to groundwater section processes and tasks in a Desktop Reference Manual.

Click here to view the full position description.

Minimum Qualifications  (Need to Have)

Two years of hydrogeology experience; and 

• A bachelor’s degree in Data science, Physical science, Environmental science, Hydrogeology, Geology, or related earth science; OR three additional years of experience; OR 
• One year of experience as listed above AND a Master’s degree in Hydrogeology, Geology, or related earth science; OR 

• A Doctorate degree in Hydrogeology, Geology, or related earth science. 

Preferred Qualifications  (Nice to Have)

• Knowledge and familiarity with collection and evaluation of groundwater data. 
• Basic understanding of hydrogeologic, geologic and other scientific principles.
• High level of experience with data entry, data quality control, and data analysis.
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills
• Ability to work collaboratively and harmoniously with a diverse range of internal and external employees
• Ability and desire to engage meaningfully with the public and offer information and resolutions with a high level of customer service.

• Experience with Python or R programming languages
• Experience with ArcGIS software 
• Experience with WISKI software 
• Experience with Zotero software 
• Experience collecting water level data with electric tapes and automated transducer/datalogger units 

We are most interested in finding the most qualified candidate for the job, and that candidate may not meet every one of our listed preferred qualifications. Paid and unpaid experience may count towards the preferred qualifications. If you are excited about this position, we encourage you to apply. If you are unsure as to whether you meet the preferred qualifications of this position, please contact us to discuss your application.  

Working Conditions  

Frequent office work. Occasional lifting up to 50 lbs. Occasional contact with hostile or angry people via phone or email. Occasional field work in possible inclement weather, including below freezing conditions. A valid driver’s license is preferred for occasional field work but not required. 

What’s in it for you?   

   

In addition to offering a culture of care and inclusivity and working among a highly skilled team to dive into meaningful work, we also offer a competitive benefits package that includes:    

• 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).  

  

Application Requirements  

  

Please provide your resume and cover letter for full consideration.  

• Provide a cover letter. 

• Provide a resume. 

Please monitor both your email and Workday account for updates regarding this recruitment. You may be asked to submit additional information after initial application. If you have questions about this job posting, please contact Human Resources at WRD_DL_HR@water.oregon.gov.   

Current State of Oregon employees must apply through your employee Workday account.  

Important Information   

    

PERS Salary Information    

* NON-PERS ELIGIBLE (Includes most new hires to state government. Employees typically gain PERS eligibility after six months of state service. PERS ELIGIBLE (Typically current or former employees of Oregon state or local government, public schools, universities, etc.) The salary listed will state base monthly salary, which is BEFORE PERS.    

Accommodations  

If you need assistance to participate in the application process, including an accommodation request under the American with Disabilities Act, we invite you to contact the recruiter for accommodation requests under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), application questions or job-specific questions please contact our HR team at wrd_dl_hr@water.oregon.gov.  

Future Vacancies       

This applicant pool may be used to fill additional vacancies as they occur over the next three (3) months.      

Work Authorization    

The Oregon Water Resources Department does not offer visa sponsorships. Within three days of hire, all applicants will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States.      

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.    

Application Review Process  

In addition to your related work experience and education, we will use both the minimum and desired qualifications above to determine whom to interview. Please make sure all your relevant qualifications are clearly demonstrated in your application materials. Your application materials may be evaluated on spelling, grammar, punctuation, attention to detail, and presentation.  

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage  

The use of outside resources such as Artificial Intelligence software during the application process (cover letter and resume) and applicant skill assessments, examinations, and/or interviews is prohibited unless otherwise stated by the hiring agency. Unauthorized use of outside resources during the hiring process will result in immediate disqualification.  

HB3187 Statement

The State of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of birth, attendance or graduation dates from an educational institution during the application process.

The Oregon Water Resources Department is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer Committed to Workforce Diversity.