Job Opportunities

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

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

Click here for a more detailed job description