Water Rights Section Manager (Natural Resource Protection and Sustainability Manager 1)

The Water Rights Section Manager at the State of Oregon supervises staff and manages water allocation processes. Responsibilities include evaluating water right applications, providing customer service, and ensuring compliance with laws. The role requires collaboration with various stakeholders and participation in management teams. The position is hybrid, allowing for both in-office and remote work, subject to supervisor approval. Candidates need supervisory experience and skills in program management.
About the position

The Water Rights Section Manager is responsible for supervising staff and managing all new allocations of water in Oregon. This position requires synthesizing information from various fields such as scientific, geographic, geologic, hydrologic, and legal expertise. The manager will oversee the evaluation of water right applications, provide customer service, and ensure compliance with water law. The role also involves developing technical guidance, facilitating team meetings, and participating in the Department's Management Team. The position is located in Salem, Oregon, with a hybrid work model that includes both in-office and remote work, subject to supervisor approval.

Responsibilities
• Supervise section staff responsible for accepting, reviewing, and processing applications for new water use authorizations.
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• Provide oversight and guidance to staff responsible for customer service inquiries and public information needs.
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• Develop technical guidance, policy, and procedures; provide training as needed.
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• Facilitate weekly team meetings.
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• Develop annual production goals, conduct performance reviews, and implement programmatic improvements.
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• Participate in the Department's Management Team, providing briefings and updates.
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• Liaise with other internal agency teams, other state agencies, and external water partners.
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• Support the agency's legislative session work.

Requirements
• Five years of lead work, supervision, or progressively related experience; OR two years of related experience and a bachelor's degree.
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• Experience in supervision, management, or leading a program, section, unit, or team.
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• Ability to develop program rules and policies, long- and short-range goals and plans, program evaluation, and change management.

Nice-to-haves
• Knowledge of budgeting and financial management principles as it relates to program management.
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• Experience with interpreting and applying administrative rules and statutes.
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• Skill in written communication and analyzing general, statistical, and technical reports.
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• Experience in employee relations and leadership with proven ability to manage a team.
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• Proven ability to facilitate and lead meetings and excel in public speaking techniques.

Benefits
• Exceptional medical, vision, and dental plans with employees paying 1 to 5% of the total premium.
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• Leave accrual starting at 8 hours of sick and 8 hours of vacation leave per month.
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• Access to an additional four days of discretionary leave.
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• Eleven paid holidays per year.
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• Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) including a pension and employer contributions.
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• Optional benefits such as term life insurance, long-term and short-term disability, and flexible spending accounts.
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• Opportunity to receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.