Job Description:

If you are someone who thrives at the intersection of natural resource management, collaborative problem‑solving, and hands‑on fieldwork, this role could be perfect for you! The ideal candidate for this position would be a professional who understands the complexity of water systems and who is energized by the challenge of balancing ecological needs with community and agricultural priorities. As an Assistant Watermaster in the North Central Region, you will play a vital role in enforcing water law, protecting both instream and out‑of‑stream water rights, gathering essential hydrologic data, and ensuring the safe construction and management of wells and dams.

Your work will directly support Oregonians across the state, from those who rely on water for agriculture to those who value the recreational and ecological benefits of healthy streamflow’s. Representing the agency in a field‑based capacity, you will respond to water right disputes, public inquiries, and complaints with professionalism and timeliness. In this role, you will embody our core values through respectful communication, strong customer service, effective teamwork, and collaborative problem‑solving. You will also contribute to a welcoming, inclusive workplace culture that values diverse perspectives and fosters positive working relationships across divisions. If you are committed to protecting Oregon’s natural resources and supporting sustainable water management, we invite you to bring your skills and dedication to our team!

Working Title: Regional Assistant Watermaster

Classification:  Natural Resource Specialist 2

Position Type:  Permanent, Full-Time

Representation:  Service Employees International Union (SEIU)

FLSA Status:  Non-Exempt (Eligible for Overtime and Compensatory time)

Monthly Compensation: The monthly salary range before PERS* will be $4,738-$7,247 | after PERS* will be  $5,067-$7,751.

Work Location: North Central Regional Office- 116 SE Dorion Ave, Pendleton, OR 97801

Relocation Expense: WRD is prepared to offer relocation assistance to the successful candidate. Successful candidate must live within a reasonable commuting distance from the duty station. This reimbursement package must be requested by the successful candidate and approved before accepting the position. For full applicability of this relocation expense reimbursement, you may review the DAS Statewide policy here: 40-055-20.pdf

Hybrid/Remote Work: This position will work frequently at the North Central Regional Office and in the field on and around the North Central Regional office in Pendleton. Hybrid work is available with approval of the manager.

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.

Oregon Water Resources Department Current Strategic Plan

The Oregon Water Resources Department’s strategic 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.

About our Team

The North Central Region thrives on a spirit of resilience, collaboration, and shared purpose. The work is truly meaningful and often changing as we manage water in a landscape shaped by diverse and competing needs, changing conditions, and with deep cultural significance. Our team shows up every day ready to put in the effort, not because the work is easy, but because it matters.

What truly defines this region is the way we support one another. No one is left to shoulder tough decisions or complex fieldwork alone. We rely on each other’s strengths, communicate openly, and celebrate the wins—big or small—that come from working as a unified team. That sense of camaraderie extends beyond our office walls. We value the relationships we’ve built with Tribes, water users, partner agencies, and local communities, and we approach those partnerships with respect, humility, and a commitment to problem‑solving together.

In North Central Region, the work is complex, and we are managing water issues that are shaping and supporting the region’s water resources for generations to come. There is a shared pride in knowing that our collective effort helps vital water users, supports communities, and protects a critical resource. It’s a place where hard work is expected, teamwork is essential, and the process—complex as it may be—is genuinely rewarding.

About the Position  

The Assistant Watermaster serves a critical role within the Field Services Division, representing the agency in the North Central Region and ensuring the fair and lawful distribution of Oregon’s water resources. In this position, the Assistant Watermaster responds to water distribution needs in the region by researching relative rights, determining proper allocation, enforcing water law, and preparing reports or evidence when formal enforcement is required.

Some duties of this position could look like:

• Collecting and compiling hydrologic data, including streamflow measurements, gaging station maintenance and repair, and assisting with processing streamflow records.
• Measuring groundwater levels, verifying well locations and ownership, and preparing data and findings reports.
• Assisting with groundwater studies and preparing data reports in collaboration with department hydrogeologists.
• Support the public by helping them research water right, well, and hydrographic records.
• Assist in well inspections to ensure compliance with construction standards and protect groundwater from waste, contamination, and loss of artesian pressure.

Throughout all duties, the Assistant Watermaster is expected to uphold the agency’s core values by fostering respectful communication, delivering strong customer service, participating collaboratively across divisions, and contributing to an inclusive, positive, and productive work environment that supports the long‑term sustainability of Oregon’s water and ecosystems.

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Working Conditions  

Work in this position occurs in an office and field settings. Occasional work during weekends may also be necessary.  This person may encounter people who become irate when their water diversion systems are regulated.  Must be able to wade in swift, cold streams and collect data along and near rivers and canals. Must travel in varied weather and road conditions in motor vehicles, snowmobiles or on skis or snowshoes and navigate rough terrain safely and often alone. Required to make stream flood measurements. May work alone in remote areas. Regular attendance is an essential function. Must occasionally lift up to 75 lbs. 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.

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).