Entry Level Public Policy Analyst Jobs in Oregon

Initial Posting Date:
08/25/2026
Application Deadline:
09/10/2026
Agency:
Department of State Lands
Salary Range:
$4,833 - $7,380
Position Type:
Employee
Position Title:
Program Operations Analyst (Operations & Policy Analyst 1)
Job Description:
Position Title: Program Operations Analyst (Operations & Policy Analyst 1)
Job Description:
Are you experienced in Program Operations and passionate about safeguarding wetlands and waterways? Apply to be our next Agency Program Operations Analyst (Operation Analyst 1) by September 9, 2026 This position is eligible for a hybrid remote schedule, reporting to our Salem office 4 days per week for the first 2 weeks, and then 1-2 days per week with potential additional days if needed.
This full-time, limited-duration position is open to current State of Oregon employees as well as external candidates. It is also available as a job rotation for current state employees with approval from their supervisor. The position is expected to continue through June 30, 2028.
Make 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 Program Operations Analyst you will too.
Lead, coordinate, and evaluate agency-wide activities including, but not limited to, administrative rules coordination, policy development, and records retention. Identify inefficiencies, analyze information and performance of systems, and provide recommendations to improve administrative procedures.
The incumbent is expected to perform position duties in a manner that promotes customer service and harmonious working relationships. This includes treating all persons respectfully, engaging in effective working relationships with all staff, demonstrating openness to constructive feedback, and contributing to a positive and productive work environment. It works to increase public awareness of DSL and its programs and builds support among the public, legislators, beneficiaries and constituents.
This position will report directly to our main Salem office and is represented by the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).
This is a full-time, limited duration position that is expected to become permanent once funding is secure.
What's in it for you?

• Utilize your skills in operations analysis to support Oregon's oldest agency in protecting our wetlands and waterways.
• 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, and 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 at least 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, 1 floating holiday, 3 personal business days and other employee benefits such as optional insurances and flexible spending plans.
• Automatically enroll into the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) after 6 months of full-time service.
• Earn the initial monthly salary range for this position starting at $ 4,519.00 - $ 6,900.00 for employees new to public service; current PERS employees start at $ 4,833.00 - $ 7,380.00.
• Salary offers are made with consideration of the candidate's education and experience. Visit our Pay Equity and Classification and Compensation pages for more details.

This position is statewide and will report directly to our DSL Salem Office.
Working Conditions:
Much of the work is in a hybrid office setting with extensive use of computers, collaborative tools, and video conferencing technology. Occasional travel may be required for meetings, training, or project activities. Duties that can be successfully performed away from the central workplace may be eligible for remote work with approval. Some duties may require on site presence based on operational needs such as training, business alignment, accommodations, or resource availability.
The successful candidate will be in regular contact with executives, managers, staff, and external partners, requiring professionalism, discretion, and effective communication. This position requires the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, work within short time frames, and adapt to shifting priorities. Work often requires coordination across divisions and may involve tight deadlines, frequent interruptions, and occasional in office days in addition to the expected 1-2 days after the first 2 weeks.
Employees are expected to uphold State of Oregon and Department of State Lands standards for professionalism, safety, collaboration, and respectful conduct; maintain confidentiality; and contribute to a positive, inclusive, and productive work environment.
What you will be doing:
As our Program Operations Analyst, you will have the opportunity to:

• Contributes to a positive and productive work environment.
• Establishes and maintains professional and collaborative working relationships with all contacts.
• Analyze, map, and improve workflow processes across permit, enforcement, leasing, easement, and wetlands programs, including SOPs, forms, and guidance.
• Audit system records (OWLS/Operating System) for accuracy, completeness, and compliance; research rules and policies to support consistent program standards.
• Coordinate cross-program correspondence, develop procedural guidance and templates, and provide training on OWLS and Laserfiche.
• Serve as a liaison across programs and partners, prepare meeting materials, and support public outreach by offering clear, consistent information on DSL processes.
• Extract, analyze, and interpret data from OWLS and other systems to produce operational reports, workload metrics, and trend analyses.
• Maintain data standards, advise staff on correct data entry, and troubleshoot system data issues by identifying root causes and training needs.
• Collaborate with IT and program staff to refine system functionality and respond to inquiries by interpreting data and program policy.
• Maintains regular and punctual attendance.

Minimum Qualifications - to be considered for this position, please ensure you have one of the following combinations of education and experience:
A Bachelor's Degree in Business or Public Administration, Behavioral or Social Sciences, Finance, Political Science or any degree demonstrating the capacity for the knowledge and skills;
OR
Any combination of experience or education equivalent to three years technical-level experience that typically supports the knowledge and skill requirements listed for the classification.
Candidates must be able to analyze workflows, audit records, coordinate cross-program communication, provide training, and extract and analyze data to produce reports and support clear outreach.
Note: A master's degree can substitute for 1 additional year of experience, and a doctorate degree can substitute for 2 years of additional work experience.
*DSL may also consider relevant lived experience as part of our inclusive hiring practices.
Desired Attributes - tell us which of the following skills, experiences, and related talents you have by highlighting them in your application materials:

• Education and/or experience to identify appropriate methods of tracking and analytics for individual and agency-wide projects
• Proficiency in writing to prepare technical memos, formal correspondence, bulletins, and other communication for intern and external partners and the public
• Oral presentation skills sufficient to conduct or assist in conducting training sessions, technical workshops, and public forums
• Iterative thinking style and comfort with dialogue regarding differing perspectives to generate well-rounded group decisions
• Proficiency using Excel including tables and pivot tables with large data sets
• Ability to apply critical thinking and professional judgment to analyze alternatives and interpret laws, regulations, and standards
• Experience working in teams, including internal and external partners, to bring multi-faceted assignments to a successful conclusion
• Ability to develop and maintain relationships across both internal and external teams, including other state agencies, community members, and interested parties
• High level of attention to details and ability to perform detailed analyses of agency programs and performance
• Ability to apply an equity lens to all assigned duties and daily work to ensure decision-making and resource allocation reflect the needs of all Oregonians

For a detailed list of the duties for this position, please email DSL-Human.Resources@DSL.oregon.gov for a copy of the position description.
Please be sure to attach a resume and a cover letter of two (2) pages or less describing the above desired attributes you bring to this position.
How to apply:
Complete the following required steps:

• Fill out the application and 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.
• Please address your cover letter to Brandy Bryant, Systems Implementation Manager.
• 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.
• Please answer the following in your cover letter: what unique lived experience you have that relates to the desired attributes, and why you want to work for DSL.
• You must upload your cover letter in the 'Resume/Cover Letter' section of the application.
• After you submit your application, please respond to the public records request authorization and gender identity questionnaire. This screen will come after you submit and will complete the process. If you are a current State of Oregon employee, the tasks will come to your Workday inbox.
• If you are a veteran, you may receive preference. The task to upload your documents will be available after you submit your application. For privacy reasons, please do not attach your military service document(s) to your application or combine it with any other required document attachments.
• Please upload approval from your supervisor if a State of Oregon Employees who wants to be considered for a job rotation.

The Oregon Department of State Lands is committed to seeking and sustaining a culturally, racially, ethnically, and linguistically diverse working environment. The Department hires staff interested in supporting environmental justice by including communities traditionally underrepresented in public processes. We encourage members of these communities to apply, even if they do not meet 100% of the desired attributes. The Oregon Department of State Lands understands that an authentic focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace will in turn create a workforce aligned to meet the challenge of serving all Oregonians.
Additional Information:

• This position is subject to a fingerprint background check for any convictions directly related to its duties and responsibilities. Only job-related convictions will be considered and will not automatically disqualify the candidate.
• First time applying to the State of Oregon? Consider utilizing a WorkSource Oregon Resource event! You can also view this video or this knowledge article for assistance.
• This recruitment may be used to fill future positions.
• The use of outside resources such as Artificial Intelligence software during applicant skill assessments, examinations, and/or interviews is prohibited unless otherwise stated by the hiring agency.
• If you need an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to participate in the application or selection process, please contact DSL-Human.Resources@DSL.oregon.gov and please be sure to include the job requisition number.
• For more information about applying for positions with the State of Oregon via Workday, you may visit the Oregon job opportunities website at: www.oregon.gov/jobs
• 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.
• 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.
• After you apply, you may be asked to provide additional optional information. Please be sure to check your Workday account for pending tasks or actions under your "My Applications" section. Be sure to check both your email and Workday account for updates regarding this recruitment.
• As an employer, DSL complies with Oregon's pay equity law. Salary offers are made with consideration of the candidate's education and experience. For more information on pay equity, click here.
• Agency does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, applicants will be required to complete I-9 documentation and confirm authorization to work in th