Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID OR_2025_Gaines

Hydroheadhunters and Workforce Development in Oregon

Institute: Oregon
Year Established: 2025 Start Date: 2026-01-01 End Date: 2026-12-31
Total Federal Funds: $10,010 Total Non-Federal Funds: Not available

Principal Investigators: Lisa Gaines

Project Summary: Water workforce development is fundamental to Oregonians as the state embarks on its first ever Statewide Water Research and Learning Agenda. Given the size and hydrogeography of the state spanning some of the driest parts of the United States to the wettest parts of the United States, assessing future workforce needs is unlikely to be successful with a single meeting. Through the use of students serving as "hydroheadhunters", the objective of the research is to explore the value of placing prospective employers with prospective employees more directly than traditional methods of jobboards, websites, and media advertising.