Watershed Health Technician

Program Overview: River Science is the lead organization for River Corps and is a 501c(3) nonprofit located in Canon City, CO. The River Corps program places AmeriCorps Members at organizations and agencies throughout Colorado to focus on helping the efficiency, efficacy, and scale of healthy rivers and watersheds. To thrive in these technical positions, members will receive comprehensive training and ongoing support in low-tech process-based river restoration (LTPBR), water quality sampling, in-stream flow (ISF), on-the-ground project monitoring, and essential watershed coordination techniques to ensure they are adding valuable capacity to watershed actions and initiatives across Colorado. 

Service Site Overview: Located in the San Luis Valley of Southern Colorado, The Rio Grande Headwaters Restoration Project (RGHRP) and Rio Grande National Forest (RGNF) both serve important roles in maintaining and improving the health of the Rio Grande Headwaters. They maintain a strong working partnership focused on watershed restoration and stewardship within the forest. The RGHRP office is located in Alamosa and the RGNF supervisor’s office in Del Norte.

The RGHRP was founded in 2001 to address degrading river conditions on the valley floor. Through a focus on watershed planning and implementation of multi-benefit projects that engage with community stakeholders, RGHRP works throughout the San Luis Valley to restore and conserve river function for improved water quality, agricultural water use, riparian health, wildlife and aquatic species habitat, recreation and community safety. They are also active in local education and outreach efforts, including the Rio grande Basin Roundtable.

The RGNF is a 1.8 million acre national forest that receives the bulk of precipitation for the basin. With a majority of the water relied upon by downstream stakeholders originating and passing through this area, its health is crucial to both wildlife and the health of the overall system. The Wildlife and Fisheries departments within the RGNF have a strong history of identifying and implementing watershed restoration projects within the forest, including LTPBR, Aquatic Organism Passage (AOP), Beaver Relocation, and Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout reclamation Projects.

Service Position Summary: The Watershed Health Technician will work with RGHRP and RGNF to assist in watershed health projects. This will primarily include hands-on river restoration implementation, such as building Low Tech Process Based Restoration structures, monitoring native trout populations, monitoring restoration projects for success, beaver management, collecting stream health data, and engaging in education and outreach events. The technician will also assist RGHRP staff with nonprofit administrative tasks, including project reporting, event planning, etc. The technician will work approximately 50% of their time with the RGHRP and 50% of their time with the RGNF. Work will also include engaging with partners, such as Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), Trout Unlimited (TU), Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and others.

Joint Responsibilities (RGNF & RGHRP):

• Restoration Implementation- Low Tech Process Based Restoration
• LT-PBR monitoring- monitor current and past projects
• Beaver Relocation- assist in trapping, handling, moving, and releasing beavers
• Beaver Monitoring- monitor past beaver relocation efforts and survey for beaver populations
• GIS- basic map making, basic analysis; potential for storymap work
• Youth education and outreach
• Data entry and management
• Report writing

RGHRP Responsibilities:

• Nonprofit organizational administration
• Restoration monitoring – monitor ongoing restoration activities and previously restored sites
• Engagement with local stakeholders (Rio Grande Basin Roundtable)

RGNF Responsibilities:

• Culvert Surveys- assess culverts for aquatic organism passage and proper function
• Fisheries Monitoring- use various methods to monitor fisheries populations
• Fisheries Reclamation Projects- attend training for rotenone application and assist with Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout reclamation
• A Volunteer agreement to be signed by employee for the duration of the assignment which could include a temporary work space and access to facilities.

Physical, Emotional, and Intellectual Demands:

• Must work well with others as part of a team
• Communicate thoughtfully and respectfully
• Manage time and a complex schedule
• Be able and willing to spend consecutive days camping to complete field work, some of which could be backcountry conditions
• Must be able to lift 50 lbs.
• Must to be willing to work in varying weather conditions

Qualifications:

• Microsoft office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint)
• High school diploma or GED required
• Undergraduate degree in biology, wildlife management, watershed science or related field
• Ability to pass federal background checks
• U.S. Citizenship
• Must possess a reliable transportation vehicle, drivers license, and proof of auto insurance
• Must be able to operate 4×4 vehicles
• Must be able to work outside in all types of weather
• Desire to learn, ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing

AmeriCorps Required Qualifications:

• At least 17 years old at start of service [may adjust to 18 years old per program design]
• Must be a high school graduate, GED recipient, or working toward attaining a high school diploma or GED during the term of service. Members must obtain either a diploma or GED before using an education award.
• Be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident of the United States
• Able to pass a National Service Criminal History Check (state, FBI, and National Sex Offender Public Website checks) per 45 CFR 2540.202

Term of Service / Time Commitment: This is a TQT(three quarter time) national and community service position requiring, at a minimum, a total of 1200 hours during the year (approximately 37-40 hours per week). The position begins February 16, 2026 and ends September 30, 2026. Position service will occur between Monday to Friday, 8:30 am – 5 pm on weeks working with the RGHRP. Weeks working with the Forest Service will be Monday to Thursday, 7 am – 5 pm. Flexible hours may be required including occasional evening, weekend, and overnight commitments. Within these hours, there will be sufficient opportunity to fulfill the full term of 1200 hours, including holidays, time off, and missed hours to makeup.

Training and Support Provided: River Corps members receive significant training and experience in technical skillsets (e.g. water quality data collection, assessment with GIS) and community engagement (e.g. watershed coordination, stakeholder communication). Up to 20% of total hours served may be spent in applicable approved trainings. Members will be supervised and supported by Connor Born, Stewardship Coordinator, connor@riograndeheadwaters.org / 316.215.9153 as well as by Allison Palmasano, River Corps Program Director, allison@river.science / 719.429.3707. The cohort of members serving throughout the region will act as additional resources and support for each other.  

Location and Service Conditions: This position is based at The Rio Grande Headwaters Restoration Project, 623 4th Street, Alamosa CO 81101 and will involve work with the Rio Grande National Forest located at the Rio Grande National Forest supervisor’s office at 1055 9th St. Del Norte, CO 81132.

Benefits:

• A living allowance of $17,500 will be made in bi-weekly (every other Friday) payments of $1060.61 before tax. Taxes are deducted and the living allowance is distributed by direct deposit to the member
• A housing stipend of up to $166 per month if needed
• An education award of $5,176.50 upon successful completion of term of service
• Training certificates in Water Quality & Ecology, and Hydrology Technician 1
• It is possible to temporarily postpone repayment of qualified student loans through forbearance while serving as an AmeriCorps member
• Mileage reimbursement for travel to required trainings and days of service
• Non-tangible benefits including valuable hands-on experiences, networking, opportunity to help river and watershed health in a local community.
• Alumni benefits include priority hiring with organizations that are part of Employers of National Service and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program to eliminate educational debt.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

River Conservation Corps (RCC) recognizes the value of diversity and inclusiveness to advance environmental education. RCC defines diversity in its broadest sense and welcomes everyone including but not limited to people of all races, ethnicities, genders, gender expressions, sexual orientations, abilities, ages, national origins, socioeconomic status, religious affiliations, languages, and heritages.

Rio Grande Headwaters Restoration Project shall not discriminate against any employee, volunteer or program participant on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, disability, political affiliation, gender, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender identity, gender expression, marital, parental, veteran or military status, political service, or membership, participation or association with any employee organization. We provide equal employment and volunteer opportunities to all individuals based on relevant qualifications and abilities