Water Resources Member

Water Resources Member

Summary
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management Color County District Office (BLM CCDO) is seeking one Water Resources Member to contribute to water management projects alongside BLM CCDO Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit https://www.usaconservation.org/.

Start Date: November/December 2025.
Estimated End Date: July/August 2026 (approximately 40 weeks after the start date). 

Location Details/Description: Cedar City, Utah. 

The Color County District Office manages approximately 2.2 million acres of public land and lends support services to three other Southern Utah field offices. The majority of project work will be in conjunction with the St. George Field Office. 

The Color Country District Office manages one of the largest, if not the largest landscape restoration programs in the United States, proactively treating approximately 40,000 acres of public land annually. Characterized by vast acres of sagebrush and pinyon-juniper foothills, the region offers a variety of landscapes ranging from salt desert shrub flats to high mountains with riparian, aspen, and bristlecone pine communities. Mountain ranges include the Mineral Mountains, Wah Wah Mountains, Pine Valley Mountain and the Indian Peak Mountain Range.  The District  Office is home to a variety of species including the Rocky Mountain Elk, Mule Deer, Antelope, Greater Sage Grouse, Desert Tortoise  and Wild Horses. The District Office is generally quite remote and offers a wide variety of dispersed recreation associated with the Greater Zion area.

For more information about the BLM Color County District Office or the St. George Field Office, https://www.blm.gov/office/color-country-district-office or https://www.blm.gov/office/st-george-field-office. 

Position Overview: 

The ACE Water Resources Member will gain valuable hands-on experience in water resource management by assisting the Color County District Office staff with field data collection and analysis. They will learn to utilize various field techniques to measure water flow, water quality, and site characteristics, including reading flow meters, collecting water samples, and assessing stream health. Additionally, the member will assist in characterizing sites, documenting infrastructure, and assessing streambank stability and erosion. They will also collect data on aquatic habitats and organisms, such as fish and macroinvertebrates. In addition to field work, the member will assist with data entry, GIS mapping, and report writing. By working alongside experienced professionals, the member will develop a strong foundation in hydrology, environmental science, and public land management, as well as skills in data analysis, problem-solving, and communication.

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Schedule: M-F 9am – 5pm. Will fluctuate depending on field work season with potential to be 6am – 3pm. 

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $800/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service and 640 hours of service. If the duration of a PLC-eligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service (~16 weeks), the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC-eligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age (You must be between the ages of 16 and 30. Some agencies also interpret these guidelines to include veterans up to age 35) and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general eligibility information on https://www.usaconservation.org/general-resources/.  

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or the BLM. 

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support. Specific training may include safety, operation of water resource equipment (flow meters, flumes, weirs), GIS, UTV operations, and field orientation.

Qualifications 

Required:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.S. government contracts
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
• Dedication and strict adherence to ACE and BLM safety policies.
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
• A valid driver’s license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks
• ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information when you are hired to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a B.S. and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as hydrology, geology, water quality, environmental science.
• Knowledge of GIS and field orientation.
• Ability and willingness to learn how to trailer, drive a 4×4 vehicle offroad, drive a UTV offroad, hike into backcountry sites, and possible overnight camping.
• Deep interest in hydrology, water rights, water quality, and natural resource management.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions: 

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain, and potentially camp overnight under field conditions.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 25 lbs., ability to move up to 50 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools. Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position may require domestic travel such as overnight camping in backcountry sites.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards:  The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety:  If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the BLM or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the BLM. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the BLM, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it.  Strict adherence to BLM and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.