Current Job Opportunties
To post a job opportunity (district or affiliated organization), please contact the OWRC office.
Tumalo Irrigation District – Ditch Rider
Starting Wage: $23.00 to $26.00 DOE
Benefits (after 6-month probationary period): Health insurance (medical, dental, and vision), District contribution to Retirement plan, 8 paid holidays/year, 5-15 days paid vacation/year (based on tenure), 10 days paid sick leave/year, District vehicle.
Location: Bend, OR
Mandatory Job Requirements:
• High school diploma or GED.
• At least 2 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.
• 2 years’ experience working in the construction trades or in an irrigation setting
• Valid Oregon Class A driver’s license or ability to obtain one, with clean, safe driving record.
Special Job Requirements:
• Employee must live within (30) minutes of District facilities (Bend, OR).
• Employee required to take off-hours emergency call-outs (including weekends) one week per month.
• Maintain CPR/AED and Standard First Aid certifications as applicable.
Essential Functions:
• Perform a variety of semi-skilled and skilled duties in the distribution, measurement, and delivery of irrigation water to irrigators.
• Measurement and balancing of water distribution using weirs, meters, and basic math.
• Perform repair work in, on, and around irrigation facilities including cleaning and maintenance of irrigation canals, ditches, trash racks, pipelines and other structures as necessary to assure: (1) safe access to facilities, (2) proper operation of facilities (3) proper conveyance and distribution of irrigation water in a timely manner.
• Patrol assigned area by motor vehicle, by foot or any other management approved manner to detect leaks, breaks, weak areas, or obstructions and damage to the irrigation system.
• Remove debris and make emergency repairs to banks, structures, and gates.
• Curtail unauthorized or excessive diversions.
• Repairs, reinforces, and modifies service lines, buildings, vaults, meters, water tanks, steel cylinder pipelines, and other metal structures.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with co-workers, outside agencies,
and the public.
• Regular attendance and adherence to prescribed work schedule to conduct job responsibilities.
• May work irregular or extended overtime hours.
• Participate in the On-call irrigation season rotation schedule.
Other Duties:
• May learn semi-skilled maintenance, repair, and construction work in an assigned work area.
• Responds to emergency repair requests.
• Performs related duties as assigned.
• Reads and interprets blueprints, water rights maps
• Maintains records of maintenance and inventory of all assigned equipment.
• Ensures proper safety precautions are observed.
The specific statements shown in each section of this job description are not intended to be all- inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria necessary to successfully perform the job and meeting the needs of the district.
This full-time position is being advertised May 2025 until filled. Applications and resume should be submitted to the District office at [email protected] To view full job announcement visit our website at: https://www.tumalo.org/employment
Top candidates will receive an interview, and interviews will be held until the position is filled. Start date is flexible and negotiable, but candidates are encouraged to be ready, willing, and able to start as soon as possible.
Appointment to the position is through an open competitive process and will be based on the General Manager and Field Manager’s evaluation of merit, qualification, experience, and character. The starting wage for this position is competitive with similar jobs in the County and negotiable depending on experience
Hermiston Irrigation District – District Manager
Job Scope
• Provide water to district patrons in the most efficient and cost-effective manner by further developing water conservation, improving delivery methods, and water management.
• Improve the district’s financial standing by seeking outside funding opportunities.
• Maintain positive working relationships; treat employees with respect and ensuring a safe work environment.
• Provide exceptional customer service in a professional manner; maintain public trust through transparency and accountability.
• Build relationships through honesty and cooperation.
Essential Functions
The District Manager may perform any of the following duties, however these examples do not include all of the specific tasks which the Manager may be expected to perform.
• Manage all aspects relating to the district, oversee accordance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws, and regulations such as those related to irrigation water, personnel matters, and safety programs.
• Work directly with the Board of Directors; update the Board on district operations including finances, and irrigation project status. Communicate pertinent issues, make strong, educated recommendations, and following the Board’s direction.
• Develop short and long-range goals, select improvement projects, and prioritize to best meet the district’s needs.
• Develop and maintain cooperative and productive working relationships with contacts both inside and outside of the organization including but not limited to HID Board, Joint Committee, staff, patrons, the community, agencies, as well as other industry contacts.
• Monitor and evaluate employees to guarantee efficiency and effectiveness of service and compliance with procedures.
• Direct the district’s work plan and coordinate with supervisors; assign tasks and areas of responsibility; review and evaluate work methods and procedures; meet with staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Manage the district’s labor, interpersonal relations, policies, and procedures.
• Assess and monitor workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identify opportunities for improvements; direct and implement changes.
• Evaluate district personnel; provide and organize staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline and termination procedures.
• Oversee financial aspects of District operations, including financial reporting to the Board, annual audits, development of the annual budget and approval of the projected funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; approve expenses and adjustment when necessary to maintain budget.
• Explain, justify, and defend district programs, policies, and activities; negotiate and resolve sensitive and controversial issues.
• Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay aware of new concepts in water distribution management.
• Respond to and resolve sometimes difficult landowner complaints and disputes.
Working Conditions and Physical Demands
• The District Manager works primarily in the office, but also participates in field activities as needed; this position involves approximately 80% office and 20% field work.
• Fieldwork requires the ability to walk long distances across sloped, uneven terrain, sometimes in inclement weather including exposure to sun in 100-degree weather and sub-zero temperatures.
• Must be able to carry and use equipment and supplies up to 30 lbs.
• This position requires extended “on-call” hours during irrigation season (April to October) and there are some periodic weekend and evening hours.
• This position also involves periodic travel to meetings and training, some regular evening meetings and occasionally may require overnight stay of more than one day for training or conferences.
The Ideal Candidate Profile
• Capable of representing the district competently in a variety of professional settings with customers, the local community, other organizations, and all governmental agencies to guarantee positive relationships.
• Personable and innovative leader who will maintain superb public and diplomatic relations, with previous professional accomplishments.
Experience and Qualifications
Any combination of education, training or experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
• Experience: Three (3) years of experience as a manager in the operation of similar irrigation works, or who shall have been employed for a period of at least five (5) years, in a responsible position, in the operation and maintenance of irrigation works equivalent in complexity to the project works.
• Education: Project Management, Agricultural Engineering, Engineering, Construction Management, Business or Public Administration, or related field is preferred but not required.
• A valid Class C Driver’s License is required at the time of appointment.
Compensation and Benefits
The starting salary is $80,000/annually and is negotiable depending on the qualifications and experience of the applicant. This is an Exempt position
The District offers a benefits package that includes:
• Paid – vacation, sick leave, and 11 holidays
• Medical and vision coverage for employee and dependents paid by the District
• Employee paid Dental
• Life Insurance
• Deferred Compensation
Important Information
To apply for this position, please submit a cover letter, resume, and application to:
Hermiston Irrigation District
366 E Hurlburt Avenue
Hermiston, Oregon 97838
Cover letter, resume, and application may also be submitted to [email protected]
Propose start date: ASAP
Job announcement will remain open until the ideal candidate is found. First Round Applications to be submitted by June 6, 2025.
Hermiston Irrigation District is an equal employment opportunity employer and will consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, handicap, or disability in accordance with state and federal law.
The information contained herein does not constitute either an expressed or implied employment contract, and these provisions are subject to change. The District will not be responsible for materials lost in the mail.
North Unit Irrigation District – Assistant General Manager
WHO WE ARE:
North Unit Irrigation District (NUID) is based in Madras, in beautiful Central Oregon. NUID has served the agricultural water needs of the community since 1945, although the district was formed and given water rights in 1913! We provide agricultural water and today we remain the largest supplier of irrigation water in Central Oregon.
NUID maintains approximately 300 miles of lined, piped, and open ditch water delivery systems to service 900 active accounts over 58,880 acres. In addition, NUID operates and maintains 2 reservoirs totaling 205,600 acre -feet and 1 pumping facility with a pumping capacity of 200 cubic feet per second (cfs).
NUID is an independent Special District governed by a board of 5 directors elected by district patrons. The district operates for the sole benefit of the land and people within the district boundaries. The General Manager is responsible for the operation, function, and administrative affairs of the district, their assistant will work in close consort to learn all aspects of the GM function.
NUID is well respected within the community and is viewed as an important contributor to the success and livelihood of the region being the sole source of water to the agricultural community.
WHAT WE VALUE
Our dedicated team of 28 employees are an established, resourceful, service oriented group who not only deliver water to the farmers and ranchers of the region, but work hard to maintain and rebuild our network of canals with modern pipelines.
We are in partnerships with other districts, the Deschutes Basin Board of Control, the Deschutes River Conservancy, the Oregon Water Resources Congress to name just a few. Innovation is one of our primary focuses as we weather the increasing shortage of snowpack in Oregon. We have multiple federal and regional grants that allow us to pipe portions of the 65 miles of main canal and 235 miles of laterals.
WHO YOU ARE
You are genuinely interested in agriculture, maintaining a healthy farming environment with sustainable water distribution. You are:
• Able to grasp detailed project schedules, budgets and stakeholder interests.
• Work with other districts to maximize water conservation and shift availability as necessary.
• Enjoy working as a team member to assist the General Manager in day-to-day operations of the district.
• Understands complex issues and can communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders.
WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING
• Assists the General Manager, with all aspects of the District’s policies, procedures, programs, and operations.
• Represents the District by attending and participating in meetings with State, Federal, and local agencies; responds to public inquiries regarding the District.
• Maintains continuous awareness of administrative practices and recommends changes that increase the efficiency and economy of the District operations.
• Assists with collective bargaining negotiations on behalf of the District.
• Contributes to long-term capital improvement plans.
• Attends meetings with Boards and Commissions.
• Reviews legislation; provides advice and consultation regarding such legislation to the District and Board.
• Conducts a variety of studies and surveys to determine the effectiveness of District programs.
• Assists with the administration of personnel-related matters, including employment procedures, grievances, classification and pay, and employer-employee relations.
• Supervise water storage, deliveries, and regulations to meet the water supply needs of District water users.
• Supervise the District’s maintenance operations, which are required for the efficient performance of equipment, vehicles, water storage, and conveyance infrastructure.
• Liaison with Operations Manager, Office Manager, Water Operations Specialist and Watermaster positions.
• Support the General Manager as directed in their absence or in other specific assignments by the General Manager.
• Supervise the administration and maintenance of the District’s Geographical Information System (GIS).
• Investigate and resolve water storage, delivery, and maintenance issues.
• Report to the General Manager on District operations and maintenance activities and on other specific assignments.
• Assist with preparation of the annual budget, review requests for expenditures.
• Performs related and other duties as assigned.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Annual salary range of $70,000 to $90,000 depending on experience, full-time, exempt
Medical, dental, vision insurance for employee and dependents 100% employer paid
Short term disability and life insurance coverage, employer paid
Employer funded Health Reimbursement Account
401(k) Employer match of 5.75% with employee contribution of 3%
Paid vacation, sick leave, 8 holidays, 80 hours of comp time
District vehicle, phone, and possibility of district housing
HOW TO APPLY
Submit your resume and cover letter to [email protected] Feel free to tell us about your experiences and why you are interested in this position.
