Wetland Ecologist

Job Description

Initial Posting Date:
10/07/2026
Application Deadline:
10/21/2026
Agency:
Department of State Lands
Salary Range:
$5,453 - $8,345
Position Type:
Employee
Position Title:
Wetland Ecologist
Job Description:
Are you experienced in natural resources and passionate about wetlands and waterways? Apply to be our next Wetland Ecologist (Natural Resource Specialist 3)
October 21st, 2026!
Our agency also has 2 (two) openings for Wetland and Waterway Permit and Enforcement Coordinators (REQ-207804). All are welcome to apply; current state employees are encouraged to apply to these positions as a job rotation by including written approval from their current supervisor.

This is a full-time, limited duration position expected to last through June 30, 2028, and there may be an opportunity to extend. This position is eligible for a hybrid remote schedule based out of our Salem office, with required in-office days the first week of employment and two (2) times per week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) for the following four weeks, then 2-3 times per month for the duration of the position. The successful candidate must be able to travel to site visits within Oregon on short notice and, within six months of hiring, live within commutable distance to the Salem office.

Making a Difference for Oregon.
The Department of State Lands manages the lands that help fund our public schools and protects the state's waterways and wetlands for the many benefits they provide. Our stewardship ensures vital natural and financial resources contribute to a vibrant, healthy Oregon now and forever. The DSL team makes a difference for Oregonians every day. As our Wetland Ecologist, you will too.

This position will represent the regulatory program of the Department of State Lands. The Wetland Ecologist is the technical expert for wetland delineation review and is responsible for supporting agency personnel in determination of wetland boundaries and state jurisdiction. The Wetland Ecologist is responsible for communicating information to public and local agencies. The successful candidate will assist permit and enforcement coordinators with on-site evaluations, review notices and inventories, and provide education and outreach about Oregon wetlands and waterways.

What's In It for You?

Utilize your skills and experience in natural resources to
protect Oregon's waterways and wetlands
through the state's Removal-Fill Law while engaging the public, government agencies, and other interested parties.
Receive 1-on-1 mentoring
and support from natural resource experts.
Join an organization with
collaborative and engaged co-workers
who care about Oregon's economy, environment, communities, and their co-workers.
Gain full benefits with
95% to 99% of medical insurance premiums paid
by the agency for full-time employees, including mental health coverage.
Accrue 8 hours of sick leave and 8 hours of vacation leave
per month, with your vacation leave accruals increasing every 5 years.
Receive
11 paid holidays, one (1) floating holiday, three (3) personal business days
and other
medical, vision and dental benefits,
including flexible spending plans and mental health coverage.
Automatically enrolled into the
Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)
after six (6) months of full-time service.
Possibly qualify for the
Student Loan Forgiveness Program
.
Earn the initial monthly salary range for this position starting at
$5,320 - $8,141
for employees new to public service. After 6 months, you will receive a 6.95% increase with 6% going to your PERS retirement.
Current PERS employees start at
$5,690- $8,707
. Please review the
Classification and Compensation
page for more details.
NOTE
: Starting pay is determined by a pay equity analysis, which is partly based on the number of years of relevant experience.

This position is statewide and will report directly to our main Salem office. This is a full-time, limited duration position and is represented by the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).
Working Conditions
The successful candidate will primarily work in an office environment with regular and full day of computer use and periods of fast-paced activity and competing priorities. This position requires the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, including meeting high-priority deadlines. The successful candidate must be able to accurately identify subtle color differences both on screens and collecting soil data.

Travel is an essential function of the position. This position may require site visits performed on the same day as the request. Occasional fieldwork may involve walking along and within waterways, on uneven terrain, on wet and muddy ground, and without pathways in all types of weather. Occasional overnight stays and/or extended work hours may occur along with exposure to inclement weather, field, and road conditions. Work can at times be in remote locations.
DSL provides agency-maintained vehicles, field gear reimbursement, and travel expenses for authorized work-related travel and fieldwork.

What You Will Be Doing

As our Wetland Ecologist, you will have the opportunity to:

Regulatory Interpretation
. Provide interpretation and explain laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures for the public, consultants, and other agency partners.
Agency Representation.
Serve as a DSL representative for entities including the Governor's Office Regional Solutions Teams, permit applicants, other agencies, members of the public, and industry professionals.
Wetland Delineations.
Review wetland delineation reports, including data, maps, and photographs to affirm boundaries of wetlands and waterways; identify data gaps or conduct on-site verification of reports as needed. Site visits and field data collection may be required prior to concurring with submitted reports.
Jurisdictional Determinations.
Conduct on and off-site jurisdictional determinations of wetlands and waterways. Clearly communicate and document findings to the public, local governments, and other professionals.
Wetland Land Use Notices.
Inform local governments and the public about requirements for wetland land use. Review Wetland Land Use Notices submitted by local governments.
Internal Collaboration.
Collaborate with the DSL's permit and resource coordinators in the collection and interpretation of field data for use in investigations or enforcement actions.

For a full description of the duties and working conditions, please email
DSL-Human.Resources@dsl.oregon.gov
to request the position description.

Minimum Qualifications
To be considered for this position, please ensure you have one of the following combinations of education and experience:

Three (3) years of experience in wetland and waterway resources. At least one year of the experience must be at a technical level or professional level performing activities in a natural resource program such as analyzing data, conducting investigations, applying pertinent laws and regulations, or coordinating and monitoring project activities.

AND

A bachelor's degree in a natural resource field such as biology, ecology, natural resources, or environmental science,

OR

three (3) additional years of related experience.
NOTE:
A master's degree in a natural resource field such as biology, ecology, or environmental science will substitute for up to one (1) year of the required experience.

A doctorate degree in a natural resource field such as biology, ecology, or environmental science will substitute for up to two (2) years of the required experience.

Desired Attributes

Tell us which of the following skills, experiences, and related talents you have by highlighting them in your application materials.

Wetland Delineations and Determinations.
Experienced reviewing, collecting, or interpreting data using the 1987 Corps Wetland Delineation Manual and regional supplements.
Plant & Soil Technical Skills.
Proficient identifying or collecting plant and soil data.
Stream Ecology.
Experience with stream ecology principles, application, and field data collection.
Professional Wetland Scientist Certification.
Currently have or are in the process of obtaining the Professional Wetland Scientist Certification.
GIS/GPS Skills.
Proficient using GPS in the field and GIS software, such as ArcGIS Pro, for data analysis and mapping.
Technical & Professional Communication.
Strong written and verbal communication skills including professional internal and external customer service and high-quality deliverables. Experience interpreting and explaining environmental regulations or programs to a wide variety of technical and non-technical audiences including public, private, and government entities.
Teamwork & Problem Solving.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team, including strong conflict resolution abilities.
Professional Skills.
Reliable, professional, self-motivated, and able to work under strict deadlines with strong organizational and time-management skills.

Please
attach a cover letter
of two (2) pages or less describing the above desired attributes that you bring to this position.

Complete the following steps to apply:
Fill out the application or attach a resume
.
Please contact the
recruiter
if you have any questions about how to fill out the experience fields or to attach a document. Your submitted experience fields or attached resume must include dates (MM/YYYY) for each employer, and any relevant volunteer and/or internship experience.
Attach a cover letter.
Your cover letter should clearly demonstrate how your experience and training relates to the qualities that you have under the "Desired Attributes" section above.
Your cover letter must be limited to no more than two (2) pages.
Generic cover letters that do not address the qualities that you have under the "Desired Attributes" section may receive lower scores than those that addressed the desired qualities.
Complete questionnaire.