Cannabis Enforcement Compliance Support Specialist 3 Jobs

Initial Posting Date:
11/02/2022
Application Deadline:
11/13/2022
Agency:
Water Resources Department
Salary Range:
$5,503 - $8,450
Position Type:
Employee
Position Title:
Enforcement and Compliance Support Specialist (Compliance Specialist 3)
Job Description:
Oregon Water Resources Department
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
  

Position Information
The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) seeks to hire two (2) Enforcement and Compliance Support Specialist (Compliance Specialist 3) to work in Salem with the Field Services Division.
These positions are full-time, permanent positions located in Salem, with remote option flexibility. Position is represented by the Service Employees International Union.
Program Information
The Enforcement Section (ES) is a new section in the Field Services Division (FSD) primarily created to address cannabis-related illegal water storage and use in Oregon. Funding for the ES was provided by a special session appropriation (SB 5561) in December 2021. The ES also reviews and processes other agency enforcements including violations of water storage and use and well construction violations, as has been the practice for decades. The FSD is responsible for operational management of all work conducted by staff in region and watermaster offices. The FSD has primary responsibility for administration of the water laws of the state, and field operation of gaging stations, dam safety inspections, well inspections, and scientific data collection.
The Field Services Division has 80+ staff located in 20 offices around Oregon and is responsible for the daily water management in streams, rivers and groundwater wells across the state. Field staff build partnerships with water users and local government officials to pursue integrated and innovative solutions for complex water challenges and an uncertain water future. The team works in support of the Department’s mission through on-the-ground problem solving, scientific data collection, customer service, and effective coordination with water users and other agency staff.
The employee in this position must perform position duties in a manner which promotes customer service and harmonious working relationships, including treating all people courteously and respectfully. Engage in effective team participation through willingness to assist and support co-workers, supervisors, and other work-related associations. Develop good working relationships with division and agency staff through active participation in accomplishing the agency mission, cross-divisional group projects, and identifying and resolving problems in a constructive, collaborative manner. Demonstrate openness to constructive feedback and suggestions to strengthen work performance. Contribute to a positive, respectful, and productive work atmosphere.
Purpose of the position
What you will do
As a key member of our FSD, you will:

• Ensure that enforcement practices are consistent across the state, and that state law and rules are followed while implementing the enforcement process.
  
• Periodically travel to sites around the state to train staff on the inspection and documentation of water use, both legal and illegal.
  
• Train staff on investigating, documenting and reporting findings to other team members and other agency staff.
  
• Establish relationships with, and collaborate with local law enforcement and county district attorneys when pursuing criminal penalties for water law violations
  
• Process enforcement actions for water use violations, investigate complaints; evaluate findings; prepare and file compliance reports, develop compliance notices and orders; develop compliance and investigation standards and procedures; monitor program effectiveness to decrease instances of noncompliance; engage in alternative dispute resolution processes to resolve cases in a timely efficient manner.
  
• Assess penalties as an agent of the Director and act as a lay representative in hearings.
  
• Develop procedural changes to facilitate compliance or improve conditions. Assist FSD staff in communicating with local and state law enforcement, code enforcement, District Attorney’s offices and Department of Justice.
  
• Instruct others on handling of regulatory complaints. Give technical advice to managers, staff, or outside organizations on program regulations or guidelines. Make presentations orally and in writing to explain policy and procedure.
  
• Assist management in correcting regulatory staff deficiencies in work performance. Identify training-related compliance problems and develop training goals to improve compliance with regulations. Design and provide training.
  

Duty areas:

• Complaints and compliance – You will assist field staff to address increased workloads with a focus on cannabis and hemp cultivation as it pertains to water resources. Working with the watermasters and region manager you will provide timely guidance and review of enforcement orders, coordinate enforcement referrals and work with State and County law enforcement as well as County District Attorneys.
  
• Tracking and reporting – You will assist field staff in accurate tracking of enforcement compliance, track time spent on enforcement and totals of enforcement actions taken. Some reporting to stakeholders and the Water Resources Commission.
  
• Interagency coordination – You will coordinate with other State Agencies, County Code Enforcement, State and County Law Enforcement, OLCC and ODA to investigate cannabis and hemp production sites for compliance with Oregon water law.
  
• Education and outreach – Work with irrigators, well constructors and stakeholder groups to achieve compliance through effective explanations of Department rules, statutes and avenues for achieving compliance
  

Minimum Qualifications – Compliance Specialist 3
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.

• Five years experience doing administrative research that included compiling and evaluating facts to recommend management action, or decide compliance or eligibility with program guidelines and regulations. Three of the five years must be above the technical support level.
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Conflict resolution – When tensions are high or opposing parties seemed to have reached an impasse, you can employ conflict management techniques to seek resolution.
  
• Code enforcement – You have an understanding of holding people accountable to rules, regulations and/or ordinances.
  
• Legal Accountability – You understand the gravity of decisions made by the Agency that could lead to litigation and approach said decisions pragmatically and consistently
  
• Equity and environmental justice – You are informed and engaged with issues of equity and environmental justice and seek to continue to learn and grow in these areas.
  
• Excellent organization skills – You can keep track of project progress, timelines, deadlines, and deliverables, while also coordinating with project partners.
  
• Self-starter and team player – You possess the ability to work both independently and as part of a team to move projects forward.
  
• Communication – You effectively communicate with a wide variety of audiences and listen well to distill facts.
  

Working Conditions
This position requires a valid driver license and an acceptable driving record. Position require overnight travel to address issues and complaints in more remote parts of the region or state and to assist in training field staff for enforcement consistency. You may be eligible to work remotely on a schedule agreed upon by the FSD Enforcement Manager and employee. There is an expectation that the selected candidate would be within a reasonable commute distance from the Salem head office. Regular and consistent attendance is essential to meet the demands of this job and provide necessary services
What’s in it for you?
The opportunity to:

• Pursue water use solutions to address illegal use and assist legal cannabis growers to ensure accountability to Oregon Water Law in a new agricultural industry.
  
• Find satisfaction in addressing complex water use issues by reviewing data collected by field staff, accurately documenting steps taken, and helping prepare enforcement documents to gain compliance.
  
• Support a sustainable water future for Oregon’s economy, environment, and communities.
  
• Join an organization with smart, driven co-workers who care about public service, water resources, and their co-workers, and who welcome new ideas.
  

SALARY INFORMATION
The table below shows the monthly salary ranges for each classification level included in this posting.
NON-PERS ELIGIBLE
(Includes most new hires to state government. Employees typically gain PERS eligibility after six months of state service.
CS3 $5,148.00 – $7,902.00 Monthly
PERS ELIGIBLE
(Typically current or former employees of Oregon state or local government, public schools, universities, etc.)
CS3 $5,503.00 – $8,450.00 Monthly
What’s in it for you
The opportunity to join a team of professionals who are passionate about what they do.

• Work/life balance, 11 paid holidays a year, and a
  competitive benefits package
  .
  
• Get There
  
  • Oregon’s easy-to-use carpool matching tool and trip planner.
  
  
• Live, work, and play in
  Salem, Oregon
  .
  
• This position is ideal for those seeking more work/life balance with the ability to work a hybrid of both office and remote work environments.
  

How to Apply:
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 Enforcement and Compliance Support Specialist (Compliance Specialist 3) 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 qualifications in this announcement.

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Important
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
[email protected]
Current State of Oregon employees must apply through your employee Workday account.
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.
The Oregon Water Resources Department is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer Committed to Workforce Diversity.

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