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Natural Resource Specialist 3

The Oregon Department of Agriculture is seeking a Natural Resource Specialist 3, limited duration to help support the Pesticides Program. If you want to support Oregon agriculture and make a difference, apply today.

What you’ll be doing

As the Natural Resource Specialist 3 (Certification & Licensing Specialist) you will work to help ensure people who use pesticides in Oregon use them legally and safely.

You will also conduct educational efforts using a variety of media, including web page development, newsletters and other printed matter, oral presentations, and visual materials.

You will focus on the education, examination, certification, re-certification and licensing of pesticide applicators.

help ensure compliance with Oregon pesticide laws and regulations, EPA's revised Certification of Pesticide Applicators rule, and implement the EPA-approved Certification and Training (C&T) Plan.

You will interact with, and provide excellent customer service to staff of federal, state, and local agencies, as well as with pesticide users.

Flexibility to work a hybrid schedule with remote work opportunities and in-office work, as needed, may be available. This is a limited duration position expected to end June 30, 2027.

Note: Effective Feb. 1, 2026, the compensation plan for this position will be increased to reflect a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) of 2.5%. The salary listed in this posting does not reflect the COLA.

Click here to view a full description of this position.

What we’re looking for:

Three years of experience in natural resources. At least one year of the experience must be at a technical or professional level performing activities such as researching and analyzing data, conducting investigations, applying pertinent laws and regulations, or coordinating and monitoring project activities; AND a Bachelor's degree in a Natural Resource related education.

OR a total of six years of related (pertinent) experience.

NOTE: A Master's degree in a Natural Resource related education will substitute for up to one year of the required experience. A Doctorate degree in a Natural Resource related education will substitute for up to two years of the required experience.

Must have a current and valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.

Fluent in English and Spanish

Requested Skills:

You do not need to have all these skills to be eligible for this position. Let us know which of these skills you do have in your application.

Ability to work both independently, but also as part of a collaborative team

Ability to adapt to changing priorities

Ability to remain objective and analyze a problem from multiple angles before coming to a conclusion

Excellent verbal and written (especially technical writing) communication skills

Ability to build relationships with customers through intentional engagement

Focus on providing excellent service to both internal and external customers

Dedication to professionalism

Attention to detail

Experience translating pesticide information

Projected Recruitment Timeline

Recruitment Closes: February 8, 2026

1st Round: February 17, 2026

2nd Round if needed: February 23, 2026

*These dates are approximate and may change. *

Approximate start date

** 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 requested skills. If you are excited about this position, we encourage you to apply. If you are unsure as to whether you meet the minimum qualifications of this position, please contact our human resources department to discuss your application.

How to apply:

Required: Attach a cover letter and a resume to your application. Show us how you meet the qualifications and requested skills in your application. Applications without both requested documents attached will not move forward in the recruitment process.

Upon submitting your application, please be sure to check your account for pending questions and tasks such as declaring Veterans' Points and attaching supporting.

Current state employees – please apply through your employee Workday account.

Learn more about the Oregon Department of Agriculture:

At ODA, employees work with a dynamic and supportive team of mission-focused individuals tasked with ensuring healthy natural resources, environment, and economy for Oregonians now and in the future through inspection and certification, regulation, and promotion of agriculture and food. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are embedded in ODA’s core values. Employees at all levels of the agency work together to foster fairness, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Learn more about what we do here!

What’s in it for you

The State of Oregon offers a competitive and affordable health and benefits package, including excellent medical, vision and dental coverage, paid holidays off, and personal business leave, as well as paid and accrued vacation leave and sick leave. In addition to standard medical benefits and employee leave, the state also provides additional optional benefits, such as basic life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, deferred compensation savings program, and flexible spending accounts for health care and childcare expenses. More information is available from the Public Employees Benefit Board.

Additional Information:

Current state employees, please apply through your employee Workday account.

Per the Pay Equity Law passed in 2017, a pay equity analysis will be conducted to determine what pay step the successful candidate will be offered. The analysis will be based on the relevant experience, education, training, and certifications documented in the application materials. On average, candidates new to state service will most likely be offered compensation in the lower to mid-level of the salary range.

Please review the Classification and Compensation page for more details on the classification, or you may visit our website for information on the job offer process following pay equity. Prior to making a job offer, an internal pay equity assessment will be completed. The successful candidate’s professional experience and education will be compared to the state employee workforce performing work of a comparable character to determine appropriate placement in the salary new to state service typically receive a salary within the first half of the salary range.

NOTE: Please ensure you’ve provided a thorough and updated application as it pertains to the position for which you are applying. Your application materials will be used to determine salary based on a pay equity assessment. For further information, please visit the Pay Equity Project homepage.

United States Employment Eligibility: The Oregon Department of Agriculture does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, all applicants will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security's Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States. The Oregon Employment Department is an E-Verify employer. If you are the successful candidate, you must present your I-9 acceptable documents (See page 3) for employment verification.

Questions/Need Help?

If you have questions about the recruitment or need an accommodation for the recruitment process, please contact mail to: oda.recruitment@oda.oregon.gov or call 503-986-4584.

About Us

Oregon state government is a large organization by nearly any standard. With over 40,000 employees working all over the state, in small communities and large, we are proving that government can be innovative.

We work as a team, challenging ourselves to be better, faster and more efficient with taxpayer dollars.

After all, when every day we are responsible for caring for the needs of a diverse population and thriving business community, we simply must have the best and brightest workforce. If you take responsibility for your actions, are passionate about helping others succeed, and have a reputation for excellence and honesty, why not make Oregon state government your next career move?

Joining our team means you open the door to many possibilities. From entry level to executive, outdoor work to policy setting, we have a role for nearly every calling, expertise and background.

If you’re looking at us from across the country (or beyond!), know that Oregon is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Made up of seven diverse regions, Oregon has the ocean, mountains, valleys, high desert, cities, small towns, and almost everything in between.

Oregon “flies with her own wings.”