Initial Posting Date:
08/11/2026
Application Deadline:
08/24/2026
Agency:
Water Resources Department
Salary Range:
$4,738 - $7,247
Position Type:
Employee
Position Title:
NW Region Well Inspector (Natural Resource Specialist 2)
Working Title: NW Region Well Inspector
Classification: Natural Resource Specialist 2 (NRS2)
Position Type: Permanent, Full Time
Representation: SEIU Represented
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 $4,738-$7,247 | after PERS* will be $5,067-$7,751
Work Location: We are offering two work location options for the successful candidate, which can be either the North Mall Office Building, 725 Summer St. NE Suite A, Salem Oregon 97301 or, 1400 SW Walnut Street, Suite 240, Hillsboro Oregon 97123.
Hybrid/Remote Work: This position works primarily onsite, frequently in the field; with some hybrid/remote work options. Some in-state travel is required with infrequent overnight travel.
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:
Core Values
The Oregon Water Resources Department’s current strategic priorities are to:
The Northwest (NW) region covers 13 counties, including Oregon’s most populous areas and major metropolitan hubs. With the Willamette Basin and North Coast watersheds, the region faces complex water challenges, including numerous irrigation districts, active water users, major storage projects, and large municipalities.
Our team works collaboratively and supports one another to address these challenges, staying closely aligned with the department’s mission and vision to ensure our regional efforts help protect the resource.
Working within the Field Services Division provides the opportunity to:
The Well Inspector position is within the Field Services Division and performs complex well inspections on water supply wells, monitoring wells, and geotechnical holes. The person in this position is expected to read, comprehend and enforce complicated statutes and rules regarding the construction, maintenance, conversion and abandonment of wells. These wells include drinking water wells, irrigation wells and monitoring wells.
This position follows-up on complaints, documents daily work activities, tries to achieve voluntary compliance from licensed well-constructors, landowners constructing their own wells, municipalities, and businesses. In addition, the person in this position conducts investigations, documents violations, assembles case files and makes recommendations for formal enforcement action for the purpose of protecting the groundwater resource from contamination, loss of artesian pressure, and waste. The position provides professional guidance and training to Watermaster staff and other staff in conducting thorough well inspections and documenting evidence collected during inspections. Well inspectors will independently perform on site investigations, technical Well Report reviews, provide continuing education training, technical information and assistance, and verify information submitted by licensed well constructors, landowners and consultants.
This position will perform work with our core values in mind. The person in this position performs duties in a manner which promotes customer service and harmonious working relationships, including treating all persons courteously and respectfully; engages in effective team participation through a willingness to assist and support co-workers, supervisors, and other work related associations; develops good working relationships with division and agency staff through active participation in accomplishing the agency mission and resolving problems in a constructive manner; demonstrates openness to constructive feedback in an effort to strengthen work performance; and contributes to a positive, respectful, and productive work environment.
The Field Services Division seeks to promote a workplace culture that understands and appreciate differences among people, utilizes that understanding and appreciation to improve our services, and fosters a work culture that is welcoming and inclusive to all.
Two years of experience related to natural resource management, and a Bachelor's degree in Hydrology, Geology, Civil Engineering, or other natural resource area, or three additional years of pertinent experience;
OR
One year of experience in Hydrology, Geology, Civil Engineering, or other natural resource area, and a Master’s degree in Hydrology, Geology, Civil Engineering, or other natural resource area.
Pertinent 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.
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.
Overnight travel will be required to address workload and complaints in more remote parts of the region or state. 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 station listed above. Frequent office work. Occasional lifting up to 75 lbs; occasional contact with hostile or angry people; up to several months annually of field work in possible inclement weather, including below freezing conditions; rare overnight outdoor work in isolated rural environments; occasional work around large motors and heavy equipment. Driving long distances to remote field locations in all types of weather and road conditions.
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:
Please provide your resume and cover letter for full consideration.
Clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications and desired attributes in your application materials. Your application materials will determine if you are selected to move forward in the selection process. Please include detailed work and education history.
Be sure to check Workday and your email for additional tasks and updates After hitting submit there may be additional required tasks for you to complete prior to the announcement closing. Please save a copy of this job announcement for reference, as it is not available for you to view after the announcement deadline.
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.
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 for this classification and working title as they occur over the next six (6) 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.
Eligible veterans and Oregon National Guard servicemembers
Eligible veterans and Oregon National Guard servicemembers (current and former) who meet the qualifications of the position will be awarded candidate preference. For more information, please visit Veterans Resources Be sure to submit your documentation prior to the close date of this posting in order to have the preference considered.
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.
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Official LinkedIn page for the state of Oregon. Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern boundaries, respectively. The area was inhabited by many indigenous tribes before the arrival of traders, explorers, and settlers who formed an autonomous government in Oregon Country in 1843. The Oregon Territory was created in 1848, and Oregon became the 33rd state on February 14, 1859.
