“Challenges posed by climate change, aging infrastructure, poor water quality, population shifts, degraded instream habitat, and land use change have increased the demand for water professionals. Water professionals are needed in a wide range of specialties, including water and wastewater treatment, well drilling, science, engineering, policy, law, planning, engagement, and science communications.” (Integrated Water Resources Strategy, 2025, p. 84)
Water resources fields are challenged by a lack of new skilled and qualified technicians, scientists and engineers. The rate at which students and workers are entering these fields is declining and the average age of the workforce is increasing, with more retirements on the horizon. The need to grow the pipeline of diverse, qualified workers who are prepared for careers in water through regional partnerships and focused training pathways beyond the traditional academic approach is needed. There is a statewide desire to assess how to better support these efforts through collection of information as part of the first ever Statewide Water Resources Research and Learning Agenda using the next generation of water professionals to spearhead the efforts of connecting professional career opportunities with individuals seeking opportunities.
The purpose of the project is to support state, local, and sector efforts to increase Oregon's water workforce by:
- examining Oregon’s water workforce landscape;
- outlining the roles and opportunities Oregon’s higher education institutions play in developing its water workforce; and,
- supporting the collaborations between water professionals, Oregon’s higher education institutions, and students.
Project Team Leads
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Lisa Gaines, Institute for Natural Resources
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Todd Jarvis, Institute for Water and Watersheds
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Alison Hopcroft, Institute for Natural Resources
Partners
- Oregon Commmunity Foundation
- Oregon Legislature's Water Caucus
- Oregon State University College of Agricultural Sciences