Initial Posting Date:

11/12/2026

Application Deadline:

11/29/2026

Agency:

Water Resources Department

Salary Range:

$5,907 - $8,717

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Safety Program Manager (Safety Specialist 2)

Job Description:

Are you looking for a position where you can build a successful safety, health and wellness program for a growing Natural Resources agency? We’re looking for an experienced, compassionate, solutions-driven Safety Manager to lead our employee safety and health, wellness, emergency preparedness and worker’s compensation programs. If you have a passion for workplace safety, and enjoy partnering with others to solve problems, please apply to be a positive contributor in our goal to keep our employees safe, and well prepared in the workplace.

 

Working Title: Safety Program Manager

Classification: Safety Specialist 2

Position Type: Permanent, Full-Time

Representation: Management Service Non-Supervisory

FLSA Status: Exempt, Not eligible for overtime or compensatory time

Monthly Compensation: The monthly salary range before PERS* will be $5,907 - $8,717 | after PERS* will be $6,318 - $9,322

Work Location: North Mall Office Building, 725 Summer St. NE Suite A, Salem Oregon 97301

Relocation Expense: WRD is prepared to offer relocation assistance to the successful candidate. The final amount offered will vary based on the location of the candidate. This reimbursement package must be requested by the successful candidate and approved before accepting the position. For full applicability of this relocation expense reimbursement, you may review the DAS Statewide policy here: 40-055-20.pdf)

Hybrid/Remote Work: This hybrid position is based in Salem at the North Mall Office Building. Hybrid work options may be available based on business need and as agreed upon with manager. To fulfill the requirements of the position, some in-state travel will be required in order to attend meetings, attend site visits, and provide training or consultation at agency offices and field sites across Oregon. Infrequent overnight travel is required.

About the Oregon Water Resources Department   

The Oregon Water Resources Department is committed to creating a workplace culture that understands and appreciates differences among people and is welcoming and inclusive to all. By fostering fairness and equity in its work culture, the Department strives to improve services for all Oregonians. We acknowledge that not all people have experienced equitable opportunities or fair treatment. We are committed to increasing our awareness and understanding of historic injustices and building a foundation for meaningful change. We value a wide range of professional and lived experiences, and people of underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply.   

 

Our Vision   

The vision of the Oregon Water Resources Department is to assure sufficient and sustainable water supplies are available to meet current and future needs. 

 

Our Mission

The Department's mission is to serve the public by practicing and promoting responsible water management through two key goals:

 

• To directly address Oregon's water supply needs
• To restore and protect streamflows and watersheds in order to ensure the long-term sustainability of Oregon's ecosystems, economy, and quality of life

 

Core Values   

• Integrity – We are accountable for all that we do.  We act with honesty and promote transparency.   
• Service – We are dedicated to providing outstanding service and treating everyone equitably in our management and stewardship of state resources.   
• Technical Excellence – We base our resource decisions on law, science, and expertise.   
• Teamwork – We are united in our mission, relying on one another and working together with the communities we serve.   
• Forward-Looking – We seek innovative and practical solutions to the water challenges of today and tomorrow.   

 

Equity Statement

 

Water is a shared, vital, and finite resource. The Oregon Water Resources Department strives for meaningful engagement, transparent decision-making, and accessible services. Together we will build a resilient and equitable water future for this generation and the many to come.

 

The Oregon Water Resources Department’s current strategic priorities are to:   

 

• Modernize our management of Oregon’s surface water and groundwater resources to meet instream and out-of-stream uses   
• Work to secure Oregon’s instream and out-of-stream water future in the face of increasing water scarcity   
• Foster a forward-looking team dedicated to serving Oregonians with integrity and excellence.  

  

About our Team/Division  

 

The Administrative Services Division assists the Department in achieving its mission by providing administrative and business operations services for the Agency. This includes business operations for the Water Rights and Adjudications Division, the Technical Services Division, the Planning, Collaboration and Investments Division, and the Field Services Division structured into six regional offices and seventeen individual watermaster offices. Services are also provided to the Director's office, the seven-member Water Resource Commission, and the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board.

 

The Business Services section is a small but mighty team of professionals comprised of two sub-sections: Fiscal Services and Support Services. The Safety Program Manager position is located within the Support Services section and is a key member of the team responsible for coordinating and maintaining critical business operations services to ensure that the Department is compliant with established policies, objectives, priorities and applicable laws, rules, and regulations. The Support Services team is responsible for facilities management, records management, public records services, sustainability initiatives, fleet management, safety, emergency planning and coordination, and continuity of operations efforts for the Department.

About the Position  

 

As the Safety Program Manager, you will manage all aspects of our employee safety and health, wellness, emergency preparedness and worker’s compensation programs. You will serve as our agency’s primary expert on health, safety, and loss prevention. You will act as the principal consultant to coordinate and advise agency leadership on health and safety issues and develop ways to improve and strengthen the safety culture at the Water Resources Department. You will work closely with agency management, staff and other safety personnel in implementing safety programs, assessing their effectiveness, identifying approaches to mitigate injury and illness risks and implement related efforts. You will be responsible for the integration of policies, programs and practices that contribute to worker safety, health and wellbeing, with a focus on creating the conditions that foster employee physical and mental wellbeing.

 

Minimum Qualifications  

A Bachelor's Degree in Safety, Industrial Hygiene, or related field; and two years of experience in Workers' Compensation insurance loss prevention or as an occupational health and safety representative in an industrial, manufacturing, government, utilities, institutional, or agricultural setting

OR

Five years of experience in Occupational Health and Safety consultation work in an industrial, manufacturing, government, utilities, institutional, or agricultural setting or in Workers' Compensation insurance loss prevention.

 

Preferred Qualifications  

• Experience with the management of occupational health, wellness, emergency preparedness and safety programs.

• Experience developing, updating, implementing and evaluating employee health and safety programs and procedures from the ground up.

• Experience understanding the principles and practices of safety management, ergonomics, and accident and injury prevention.

• Experience with Workers' Compensation rules, procedures, and claims management

• Experience with Federal and/or State Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) laws and other typical occupational safety standards.

• Experience advising, motivating, coaching, and training employees and managers to meet safety and risk management goals.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear correspondence, resolve conflicts, and prepare statistical reports and presentations for audiences of all levels.

• Ability to build trust and effective working relationships with people of varying backgrounds, needs, and roles.

• Experience representing an organization in a professional manner with employees, customers, the public, or other jurisdictions.

• Proficiency using common software applications and the ability to learn new systems.

• Ability to analyze data, draw conclusions, and take appropriate action based on the analysis.

• Experience working in a Natural Resources environment where field work includes scientific data collection, navigating adverse weather condition and challenging topography, interfacing with the public, and supporting natural resource management.

 

We are most interested in finding the most qualified candidate for the job, and that candidate may not meet every one of our listed preferred qualifications. Paid and unpaid experience may count towards the preferred qualifications. If you are excited about this position, we encourage you to apply. If you are unsure as to whether you meet the preferred qualifications of this position, please contact us to discuss your application.  

  

  

Working Conditions  

Cubicle style office setting in the Salem North Mall Office Building with frequent travel and fieldwork to attend meetings and provide training at other agency offices and field sites across Oregon.  Occasional overnight travel. Maintains a valid driver's license and the ability to drive. There is limited exposure to hazardous conditions, including traffic, heights, moving water, inclement weather, excessive noise, equipment hazards and chemicals. Work a professional-flexible shift to meet the needs of the agency and the customer. Exposure to inclement driving conditions.  Hybrid work options may be available based on business need and as agreed upon with manager.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required.

 

What’s in it for you?   

   

In addition to offering a culture of care and inclusivity and working among a highly skilled team to dive into meaningful work, we also offer a competitive benefits package that includes:    

• PEBB Insurance with exceptional medical, vision and dental plans with employees paying 1 to 5% of the total premium.   

• Leave accrual starting at 8 hours of sick and 8 hours of vacation leave per month, with your vacation leave accruals increasing every 5 years.   

• Access to an additional four days of discretionary leave - 3 days of personal business leave and one day of Governor’s Leave each year.   

• Eleven paid holidays per year.   

• Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) including a pension and employer contributions to the Individual Account Program.    

• Optional benefits (such as term life insurance, long-term and short-term disability, long-term care, health and dependent care flexible spending accounts, enrollment in the Oregon Savings Growth Plan, a deferred compensation program with a wide variety of investment options).   

• The opportunity to receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (must qualify).  

  

Application Requirements  

  

Please provide your resume and cover letter for full consideration. 

1.       Provide a cover letter addressed to the hiring manager, Lisa Snyder

2.       Provide a resume.

Application Tips: Clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications and preferred qualifications in your application materials. Your application materials will determine if you are selected to move forward in the selection process. Please include detailed work and education history.

Be sure to check Workday and your email for additional tasks and updates. After hitting submit there may be additional required tasks for you to complete prior to the announcement closing. Please save a copy of this job announcement for reference, as it is not available for you to view after the announcement deadline.

If you have questions about this job posting, please contact Human Resources at [email protected].  

Current State of Oregon employees must apply through your employee Workday account. 

Important Information

 

PERS Salary Information    

* NON-PERS ELIGIBLE (Includes most new hires to state government. Employees typically gain PERS eligibility after six months of state service. PERS ELIGIBLE (Typically current or former employees of Oregon state or local government, public schools, universities, etc.) The salary listed will state base monthly salary, which is BEFORE PERS.    

Accommodations  

If you need assistance to participate in the application process, including an accommodation request under the American with Disabilities Act, we invite you to contact the recruiter for accommodation requests under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), application questions or job-specific questions please contact our HR team at [email protected].  

Future Vacancies     

  

This applicant pool may be used to fill additional vacancies as they occur over the next three (6) months. 

     

Work Authorization    

The Oregon Water Resources Department does not offer visa sponsorships. Within three days of hire, all applicants will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States.      

Candidate Preference

Eligible veterans and Oregon National Guard servicemembers (current and former) who meet the qualifications of the position will be awarded candidate preference. For more information, please visit Veterans Resources. For more information on veterans’ preference points visit www.oregonjobs.org and select Veterans resources under Resources. Please do not attach veteran or Oregon National Guard Servicemember documentation to your initial application, after you have applied you will be sent a task in your Workday account to provide your veteran documentation at that time.    

Application Review Process 

In addition to your related work experience and education, we will use both the minimum and desired qualifications above to determine whom to interview. Please make sure all your relevant qualifications are clearly demonstrated in your application materials. Your application materials may be evaluated on spelling, grammar, punctuation, attention to detail, and presentation.  

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage  

The use of outside resources such as Artificial Intelligence software during the application process (cover letter and resume) and applicant skill assessments, examinations, and/or interviews is prohibited unless otherwise stated by the hiring agency. Unauthorized use of outside resources during the hiring process will result in immediate disqualification.  

HB3187 Statement

The State of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of birth, attendance or graduation dates from an educational institution during the application process.

The Oregon Water Resources Department is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer Committed to Workforce Diversity.    

Helpful Links & Resources

How to Set Job Alerts | Workday Applicant FAQ | What You Need to Know to Get the Job

Oregon Job Opportunities Webpage | Classification and Compensation | Pay Equity