Cannabis Jobs in Canyon City, OR

Initial Posting Date:

03/28/2022

Application Deadline:

04/07/2022

Agency:

Water Resources Department

Salary Range:

$4,225 - $6,464

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Assistant Watermaster (Natural Resource Specialist 2 w/u option Natural Resource Specialist 1)

Job Description:

Oregon Water Resources Department

The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) seeks to hire one full-time permanent Assistant Watermaster (Natural Resource Specialist 2 w/underfill option Natural Resource Specialist 1) to work in the East Region of the Field Services Division . As an assistant watermaster you will work with your regional team to assess water use on cannabis cultivation projects. Due to the growth of the cannabis industry, the State of Oregon must work with partners to find ways to address illegal uses and increasing water scarcity across Oregon so that both instream and out-of-stream needs can be met. In response to growing concern and increased complaint volume, the State Legislature and Governor’s office called a Special Session in December of 2021 to address cannabis, drought and housing concerns. SB 5561 was the result and allocated significant funding to OWRD to increase staffing to assist in addressing water use issues around permitted and unpermitted cannabis and hemp operations.

You will be a member of the Field Services Division, reporting to the East Region General Manager and the Division Administrator . This position will require some overnight travel and may work around the State for extended durations as workloads require it. Consider joining our team and advancing our mission to practice and promote responsible water management in Oregon while experiencing the breathtaking beauty of this State’s waterways! Learn more about the Department .

Note : The Department is recruiting 14 of these positions from SB 5561 State-wide. Job Announcements are out for the Southwest Region and more will be forthcoming for other Regions. Please consider applying to other positions if you are open to other locations. You must apply to each job posting to be considered if that is your desire.

What you will do

As a key member of our field division, you will:

• Assist legal cannabis growers with water right questions and applications.
• Research water rights, property ownership, and water use history for specific locations using online data and Arc GIS skills.
• Frequently travel to sites around the region to inspect and document water use, both legal and illegal, and assist with workloads in other parts of the state as needed.
• Respond to water use complaints; investigate, document and report findings to other team members and other agency staff.
• Collaborate with local law enforcement and enforcement staff from other agencies to address illegal water use on cannabis operations.
• Review application materials for Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) and Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) registered sites as it pertains to water usage
• Measure stream discharge data and water diversion rates, conduct dam safety inspections, and provide a high level of customer service in a professional, inclusive, and transparent manner.

What’s in it for you?

The opportunity to:

• Pursue water use solutions to address illegal use and assist legal cannabis growers to ensure that they operate within the legal limitations of their water rights.
• Help modernize management of Oregon’s surface water and groundwater resources and secures Oregon’s instream and out-of-stream water future in the face of increasing water scarcity and uncertainty.
• Find satisfaction in tackling complex water use issues by collecting detailed data, accurately documenting observations, 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.
• Collect data that will be used to help create policy, improve on laws and statutes and assist in guiding OWRD as it manages this crucial resource for future generations.

Compensation : The pay scale for this position is based off of the Natural Resource Specialist classification. The Department is looking for NRS-2 (8502) qualified candidates but is considering NRS-1 (8501) underfill options as well.

Natural Resource Specialist 2 Salary – The State of Oregon conducts a pay equity analysis to determine what pay step within the salary range to offer the successful candidates based on the experience and education documented in your application. See table below for salary ranges.

NON-PERS eligible - Includes most new hires to state government. Employees typically gain PERS eligibility after six months of state service

$3,951 - $6,043

PERS eligible - Typically current or former employees of Oregon state or local government, public schools, universities, etc. 6% is deducted for PERS.

$4,225 – $6,464

Natural Resource Specialist 1 ( Underfill option ) Salary – The State of Oregon conducts a pay equity analysis to determine what pay step within the salary range to offer the successful candidates based on the experience and education documented in your application. See table below for salary ranges.

NON-PERS eligible - Includes most new hires to state government. Employees typically gain PERS eligibility after six months of state service

$3,439 - $5,234

PERS eligible - Typically current or former employees of Oregon state or local government, public schools, universities, etc. 6% is deducted for PERS.

$3,676 - $5,597

Other Benefits – We offer a competitive benefits package that includes:

• Exceptional medical, vision and dental plans with employees paying 1-5% of the total rate.
• Start out accruing 8 hours of sick and 8 hours of vacation leave per month; vacation leave accruals increase every 5 years.
• Access to 32 hours of discretionary leave - 24 hours of personal business leave and 8 hours of Governor’s Leave to use at your discretion 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 (PSLF) (must qualify).

The team you will join

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. We and our colleagues across the Department are working to implement our 2019-2024 Strategic Plan and live our agency core values of:

• 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.

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.

Where will you work?

This position will be in Canyon City or Baker City, Oregon. Field work and site visits to cannabis operations is required, as is customer service in the office. Overnight travel will be required to address issues and complaints in other areas of the region or state. Expect to spend as much as one week per month in overnight travel during summer irrigation season. You may be eligible to work remotely on a schedule agreed upon by the manager and employee. There is an expectation that the selected candidate would be within a reasonable commute distance from the duty stations listed above.

What are we looking for?

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

Minimum qualifications for NRS-2:

• Five years of experience related to water resource management. At least one year of this experience must include activities such as: gathering and analyzing natural resource data and/or coordinating monitoring efforts for a natural resource program; and providing technical assistance to the public in a natural resource program explaining laws, rules, and regulations, answering questions, help the public navigate and comply with agency procedures.
• A Bachelor’s degree in Hydrology, Geology, Civil Engineering, or other natural resource area will substitute for three years of the required experience.
• A Master’s degree in Hydrology, Geology, Civil Engineering, or other natural resource area will substitute for four years of the required experience.
• Any combination of education and experience to equal five years’ experience as listed above.

Minimum qualifications for NRS-1 Underfill:

• a Bachelor's degree in Hydrology, Geology, Civil Engineering, or other natural resource area ; OR
• three years of experience in Hydrology, Geology, Civil Engineering, or other natural resource area ).

Other desired attributes:

• 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.
• 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.

Duty areas:

• Complaints and compliance – You will work to address increased workloads regarding cannabis and hemp cultivation as it pertains to water resources. Working with the watermasters and region manager you will provide timely response to complaints and investigations of water use violations.
• Regulation and distribution of water – Using field tools and desktop GIS you will work with irrigators to ensure compliance with permitted uses of waters of the State.
• Interagency coordination – You will coordinate with 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 to achieve compliance through effective explanations of Department rules, statutes and avenues for achieving compliance.

Working Conditions

Frequent office work. Occasional lifting up to 75 lbs; occasional contact with hostile or angry people; Driving long distances to remote field locations in all types of weather and road conditions. Wading and working in and around streams during all seasons. Work in smokey conditions as needed during fire season. Applicants must have a valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record.

Vaccination Requirement

The State of Oregon requires all executive branch employees to complete their COVID-19 vaccination series for employees who start prior to April 1, 2022 or have an approved exception to the requirement due to a medical condition or sincerely held religious belief. Successful candidates for this position must submit vaccination documentation or be approved for an exception prior to their first day of employment. Failure to provide proof of full documentation or receipt of an approved exception will lead to withdrawal of the job offer. For more information, visit our policy listed here .

How to apply

• Provide a brief (no more than 1 page) cover letter indicating why you are interested in, and a good candidate for the position.
• Provide a brief (no more than 2 page) resume indicating your experience pertinent to the required and desired qualifications in this announcement.

Warning! The Workday system will timeout after 15 minutes of inactivity.

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

After you apply

• Log in to your Workday account before the job announcement closes to see if you have any pending tasks or actions, and make sure to complete these tasks or actions before the job announcement closes. These can be found under the “My Applications” section.
• Be sure to check both your email and Workday account for updates regarding this recruitment.

Want to know more? Here's more help!

• Work authorization – WRD does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, applicants will be required to complete I-9 documentation and confirm authorization to work in the United States. If your employment authorization and documentation is contingent on sponsorship now or in the future, you will not meet DAS employment eligibility standards.
• Veterans – Eligible veterans who meet the qualifications will be given veterans' preference. For further information, please see the following website: Veterans Resources , or call Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs at: 1-800-692-9666 NOTE: If claiming veterans’ preference please be sure to check your Workday account for pending tasks or actions under your “My Applications” section.
• Current COVID precautions – Water Resources Department employees are currently working remotely to the fullest extent possible due to the current health crisis. While working remotely, home internet connection and availability is required to perform duties appropriately. Remote working conditions are subject to change as necessary and/or required.
• Salary – The salary listed at the top of the announcement is the non-PERS qualifying salary range. If the successful candidate is PERS qualifying, the salary range will reflect an additional 6.95%. Please review the Classification and Compensation page for more details.
  

Helpful Links & Resources

Oregon Job Opportunities Webpage | How to Set Job Alerts

Workday Applicant FAQ | What You Need to Know to Get the Job

Pay Equity Information & Resources

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