Initial Posting Date:
03/28/2025
Application Deadline:
04/10/2025
Agency:
Water Resources Department
Salary Range:
$4,023 - $5,575
Position Type:
Employee
Position Title:
Water Resource Data Technician (Water Resource Data Technician 1)
Job Description:
Join Our Team as a Water Resource Data Technician!
Are you detail-oriented, passionate about data, and eager to contribute to the management of Oregon’s water resources? The Oregon Water Resources Department is looking for a Water Resource Data Technician to join our Information Technology (IT) Section. In this role, you’ll play a key part in researching, gathering, and maintaining critical water resource data. Your work will directly support water rights management by ensuring accurate data entry, map creation, and quality control using GIS tools.
This position offers the opportunity to collaborate with agency staff, provide excellent customer service, and contribute to a positive, solution-focused workplace. If you enjoy working with data, analyzing information, and making meaningful contributions to public resource management, we encourage you to apply; especially if you have a background or interest in GIS, water rights, or natural resource data management.
This full-time, hybrid-eligible position is based in Salem, Oregon and comes with competitive pay and outstanding benefits, including healthcare, paid leave, and a pension plan. If you’re ready to build a career in public service while helping secure Oregon’s water future, we want to hear from you!
Working Title: Water Resource Data Technician
Classification: Water Resource Data Technician
Position Type: Permanent, Full Time
Representation: This position is represented by the SEIU.
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt, eligible for overtime in the form of compensatory time with manager approval.
Monthly Compensation: The monthly salary range before PERS* will be $4,023-$5,575 | after PERS* will be $4,300-$5,965. This is salary range 19.
Work Location: North Mall Office Building, 725 Summer St. NE Suite A, Salem Oregon 97301.
Hybrid/Remote Work: Hybrid Eligible; occasional in-office work required at the Salem office.
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.
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 Division
The IT Section oversees and provides access to a vast array of scientific data, supporting the agency, its partners, and the public in assessing conditions and making informed decisions about Oregon’s water resources. This work is carried out through four specialized subsections: Application Development, Network Support & Service Desk, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and Data Management. By delivering essential information resources, the IT Section empowers agency staff to effectively fulfill their responsibilities.
About the Position
The Water Resource Data Technician (Water Rights Data Technician 1) position functions within the Information Technology Section and is responsible for researching, gathering, entering and updating data.
This position also researches and enters information from water right documents and well construction documents. This position must also be able to make decisions regarding how information should be encoded into the database. This position also uses GIS software tools to perform geo-spatial data entry.
Process water resource information using final proof survey maps, tax lot maps, United States Geological Survey (USGS) quadrangle maps, aerial photography, water right applications, permits, certificates, court decrees, final orders, inspection reports Department rules, memorandums and correspondence with water right holders, Oregon Revised Statutes and Oregon Administrative Rules.
Collect, research, interpret, and enter both tabular and spatial data into appropriate databases.
Employees use software to encode, edit, and define datasets. Employees prepare cartographically correct water right maps. Employees also operate GIS equipment, troubleshoot data errors and complete quality control processes. Answer inquiries by e-mail or telephone on requested water right information specific to a particular property from legal descriptions or maps. Assist Department staff in the use of water resource information.
Carry out job responsibilities in a way that fosters excellent customer service and positive workplace relationships, treating all individuals with courtesy and respect. Actively participate as a team member by offering support to coworkers, supervisors, and other work-related partners. Build strong working relationships within the division and agency by collaborating to achieve the agency’s mission and addressing challenges constructively. Be receptive to feedback as an opportunity for growth and continuous improvement. Help maintain a workplace culture that is positive, respectful, and productive.
Minimum Qualifications
We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may not meet every one of our listed preferred qualifications. Lived 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.
- An Associates degree in a Natural Resource, Science or Engineering field; AND six months of experience in a natural resource field showing responsibility for researching, collecting and analyzing data using computers;
OR - Two years of experience in a natural resource field showing responsibility for researching, collecting and analyzing data using computers;
OR - An equivalent combination of education and experience.
Preference may be given for experience providing service in an area of specialization specific to the position opening.
Preferred Qualifications
- Familiarity with GIS software for geospatial data entry and analysis (preferred but not required).
- Basic understanding of water rights, including applications, permits, and certificates (preferred but not required).
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to convey information clearly.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook)
- Ability to manage and organize digital files and data
- Strong internet research and navigation skills
- Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues and engage professionally with the public.
- Excellent customer service skills and strong organizational abilities.
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
This position requires the ability to produce a high volume of quality work within tight timeframes and with minimal supervision. The role involves working with highly technical information in an open office environment, where frequent interruptions are common. Employees must effectively manage multiple and competing priorities and may occasionally be required to work irregular hours, including nights or weekends. The position demands frequent and extended use of desktop or laptop computers, as well as proficiency in both oral and written communication. Strong conflict resolution skills are essential. The role may involve occasional light lifting (under 50 lbs.) and periodic travel around the state using a state vehicle.
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:
- 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 Special 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 ensure to provide your resume and cover letter for full consideration.
- Provide a brief (no more than 1 page) cover letter indicating why you are interested in, and a good candidate for, the Water Rights Data Technician position at the Oregon Water Resources Department.
- Provide a brief (no more than 2 page) resume indicating your experience pertinent to the required and desired skills in this announcement.
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.
The Oregon Water Resources Department is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer Committed to Workforce Diversity.
