Initial Posting Date:
01/28/2021
Application Deadline:
02/18/2021
Agency:
Department of Fish and Wildlife
Salary Range:
$5,106.00 – $7,847.00
Position Type:
Employee
Position Title:
Natural Resource Specialist 4 (Hydropower Program Leader)
Job Description:
Make a Difference in Oregon’s Natural Resources!
Help the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife fulfill its mission: To protect and enhance Oregon’s fish and wildlife and their habitats for use and enjoyment by present and future generations.
Are you passionate about protecting and making a difference with Oregon’s fish and wildlife populations? Do you want to develop and implement policy to ensure that hydroelectric facilities are designed and operated in a manner that protect, mitigate and enhance fish and wildlife populations and their habitats? Then this position may be for you! Join the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Water Quantity/Quality Program to impact fish and wildlife resources in regards to hydropower. Don’t delay, apply today! Initial interviews are anticipated to be held via phone, video or virtual interview due to the current situation related to COVID-19 (Coronavirus).
To learn more about the department and the work we do, view the following video at https://myodfw.com/about
What you will do:
• Hydropower Program Leadership and Management. Lead implementation of the Department’s Hydropower Program. Lead, coordinate, train and direct activities of six staff members. This includes: preparing written guidelines for program implementation and training regional hydropower coordinators on hydropower issues, state and federal regulatory processes and rules; organizing and leading triannual Department Hydropower Program and Water Program coordination meetings to ensure statewide consistency on hydro issues, to review project status, progress, assignments, and deadlines, and to provide guidance on project review and compliance issues; advising on agency positions and recommendations to ensure consistent policy direction.
• Advise and guide the regional hydropower coordinators during all stages of project licensing and relicensing for hydropower projects throughout the State. Protect, mitigate and enhance fish and wildlife and their habitats by reviewing draft agency positions and recommendations on issues related to hydropower projects to ensure statewide consistency and application of statutes, rules and policies.
• Assist the regional hydropower coordinators in policy-level meetings and negotiating sessions with hydropower applicants, operators, consultants, state and federal resource and regulatory agencies to communicate Department positions, expertise, recommendations and to negotiate acceptable study methodologies, mitigation alternatives, and project designs. Negotiations are often lengthy and complex; involving numerous issues affecting both fish and wildlife populations and habitats, with the intent of resolving differences through settlement rather than challenging a license application before Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Water Resources Department (WRD) or the courts. Decisions are made in these meetings committing the Department to specific positions and agreements, which must be consistent with agency policy and management objectives.
• Guide and train the regional hydropower coordinators in the legal processes required to appeal state or federal licensing and compliance decisions. Guide and coordinate with the regional hydropower coordinators in the preparation of the scientific, technical and policy basis for the Department’s position on specific hydropower projects. Legal filings to FERC and WRD, such as rehearing, written testimony, court appeals, and settlement agreements and Memorandums of Understanding, are coordinated by the Program Leader through the Attorney General’s office.
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.
Working Conditions
• Occasional long hours and meetings involving complex, controversial and sensitive technical and policy issues and legal actions, resolving problems, and negotiating settlements in interagency meetings, public hearings, administrative proceedings, and developer contacts.
• Occasional field work in inclement weather along boulder strewn streams, steep banks, and at hydroelectric projects, near motorized or power driven equipment. Occasional weekend and overnight stays. Frequent automobile travel to single or several day meetings around the state or region.
• Requires a flexible work schedule that varies in the number of hours worked on a daily basis, but not necessarily each day, or a work schedule in which the starting and stopping times vary on a daily basis, but not necessarily each day. This includes working at all hours and workdays in excess of eight hours.
Criminal Records/DMV Check
Applicants are subject to both a criminal history and motor vehicles check. Out-of-state finalists will be required to present a current certified driving record for review to be considered for the position. Be prepared to obtain as soon as possible. You are expected to provide the out-of-state certified driving record before an offer can be made unless extenuating circumstances exist. Adverse background information may disqualify you from further consideration.
NOTE: Within three days of hire, applicants will be required to complete the U.S. Department Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. ODFW participates in E-Verify. ODFW is not able to support VISA sponsorships.
We are seeking applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and have the following skills and experience:
Minimum Qualifications:
Five years of experience performing studies, research, or resource management activities in a fisheries, hydrology, water management, stream ecology, water-related engineering or related field with a focus in fisheries, hydrology, and/or water. At least three years of the experience must be at a technical or professional level in a fisheries, hydrology, water management, stream ecology, water-related engineering, or related field with a focus in fisheries, hydrology, and/or water performing the following technical activities: researching and analyzing data, conducting investigations, applying pertinent laws and regulations, or coordinating and monitoring project activities; AND
A Bachelor’s degree in Fisheries Science, Hydrology, Water Management, Stream Ecology, water-related Engineering, or a closely-related Bachelor’s degree with a focus in fisheries, hydrology, and/or water with at least 45 quarter (30 semester) hours of related coursework, or three additional years of experience performing studies, research, or resource management activities in hydrology, water management, fisheries, stream ecology, or related fields with a focus in hydrology.
A Master’s degree in Fisheries Science, Hydrology, Water Management, Stream Ecology, water-related Engineering, or a closely-related Master’s degree with a research focus in fisheries, hydrology, and/or water will substitute for up to one year of the required experience.
A Doctorate degree in Fisheries Science, Hydrology, Water Management, Stream Ecology, water-related Engineering, or a closely-related Doctorate degree with a research focus in fisheries, hydrology, and/or water will substitute for up to two years of the required experience.
Applicants who have obtained a Master’s degree or Doctorate that included work experience from an internship, work/study, thesis, or similar program may list this experience in their application to receive credit for the work experience. The Master’s degree/Doctorate and applicable work experience will be considered separately and both the education and applicable experience may count toward minimum qualifications.
Requested Skills:
• Working on hydropower projects, permitting and policy
• Knowledge and understanding of hydroelectric facility operations and their effects on fish, wildlife, and their habitats
• Drafting and filing legal-style technical documents
• Reviewing and commenting on state or federal rulemaking, or legislation
• Leading and directing staff
• Strong communication skills to disseminate information across a wide range of audiences regarding hydropower issues associated with fish, wildlife and their habitat
• Experience with multiparty negotiating or settlement agreements
Additional Information:
Your answers to the supplemental questions must be supported by the “Job History” section in your application or you may not be considered for this position. Resumes will not replace the completed “Job History” section in your online application. You may be disqualified if your experience listed in the “Job History” section does not include information used to: 1) meet the minimum qualifications of the job and 2) back up your answers to the supplemental questions. If any of the positions listed in your application are part time or seasonal, be sure to include the dates you worked (month and year) and the average amount of hours worked per week in the duties section. Only those individuals who most closely match the requested skills will be invited to an interview.
Note: You will be required to provide a copy of your official or unofficial transcripts (online transcripts are acceptable) during the selection process that show your name, the name/address of the institution, coursework with passing grades, and degree conferred (including date), if you are using education to qualify. Transcripts and cover letters can be attached to your application in the Resume/CV/Cover Letter attachments field when you apply. Cover letters may not be reviewed unless it is stated as a requirement in the job posting.
For helpful tips on filling out your job history, responding to the supplemental questions, and submitting your application, click here
Notes for External Applicants (non-state of Oregon employees): If you would like to retain a copy of this job posting, please print a copy before submitting your application. Once the job posting has closed, you will not be able to access the posting. The system will timeout after 20 minutes of inactivity.
The job posting closes at 11:59 PM (PST) on the close date. After you submit your application, be sure to respond to the two questionnaires relating to public records requests and veterans’ preference immediately following your submittal. These questions are necessary to complete the application process.
Reasonable accommodations for interviews will be provided upon request to individuals with disabilities. If you are experiencing difficulty applying for this position or have questions, please contact the ODFW Human Resources office at 503-947-6051.
This recruitment will be used to establish a list of qualified people to fill the current vacancy and may be used to fill other vacancies as they occur.
The employee in this position will be represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and will be subject to all terms and conditions of the collective bargaining agreement. Pay and benefits on all job listings may change without notice.
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.
Find information on State of Oregon benefits
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More information about our agency can be found on our social media accounts and at myodfw.com and http://www.dfw.state.or.us/
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer