Watershed Technician

About the Hood River Watershed Group

The Hood River Watershed Group (HRWG) is the locally recognized watershed council for the Hood River Basin. We are a nonprofit organization with a mission to sustain and improve the Hood River Watershed through education, cooperation, and stewardship. Since the early 90’s, we have worked to protect the health of our watershed and take actions that support recovery of salmon, steelhead, Pacific lamprey, and other native fish populations. Our projects include instream fish habitat restoration, riparian restoration, removing fish passage barriers, and helping our local irrigation districts and others with water conservation projects. We monitor the results of our restoration and conservation projects and serve as the hub for aggregating and summarizing monitoring results from our watershed partners. We also create opportunities for people to connect with and better understand the watershed through public presentations on watershed science, project tours, and hands-on restoration opportunities.

Our membership reflects a diverse range of natural resource interests, including private landowners, farmers, forest managers, irrigation districts, businesses, local government, state and federal natural resource agencies, and the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs. These interests are reflected in our 9-member Board of Directors. Our current staff includes the Executive Director and the Restoration and Outreach Project Manager. 

To learn more about HRWG, visit our website at hoodriverwatershed.org.

Position Description

HRWG is seeking an energetic and passionate individual with a background in science or natural resources and an interest in gaining experience in watershed monitoring and stewardship. The Watershed Technician will be the lead for collecting and managing watershed monitoring data, which is estimated to compromise 50% of the position. The Technician will also assist with restoration and water conservation projects, including oversight of riparian planting and maintenance projects, assisting with grant applications and reports, and working with volunteers to help maintain and monitor projects. Other duties include attending meetings, taking meeting minutes, and assisting with other tasks, as needed, to support the organization. All staff work cooperatively with HRWG members, schools, public agencies, businesses, media, private landowners, Tribes, and non-government organizations.

Specific tasks include:

• Conduct monitoring for the Hood River Watershed Group (HRWG) and Hood River Basin Partnership, such as stream temperature, streamflow, pre/post-project stream habitat monitoring, and spawning surveys. This will include collecting data in the field and implementing quality assurance and control measures in the office and field.
• Manage monitoring data, including downloading data from loggers and tablets, manual data entry, organizing and summarizing data, requesting data from partners, and transferring monitoring data to monitoring consultants.
• Maintain monitoring and restoration equipment.
• Help communicate the results of monitoring, ideally in English and Spanish.
• Assist with management of riparian restoration projects: develop planting plans, order plants, oversee planting by contracted crews, and oversee maintenance by contracted crews and volunteers.
• Assist with community outreach events and programs in support of the Hood River Basin Partnership Strategic Action Plan.
• Attend and assist with the meetings and activities of the Hood River Watershed Group. This includes set-up and meeting minutes.
• Provide field assistance to schools participating in HRWG and tribal fisheries education programs.
• Work on other HRWG projects and tasks, as requested and time allows.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in biology, natural resources, environmental sciences, or similar.
• Experience with monitoring and data collection.
• Proven ability to work effectively with others with diverse backgrounds and values.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Proficiency with standard computer software used in natural resource fields (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher).

Desired Qualifications

• Spanish fluency
• Previous experience collecting and managing watershed monitoring data

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

• This position involves normal office working hours and procedures, periodic travel to meetings and trainings, some regular evening meetings, occasional weekend events, and occasionally may require overnight stay of more than one day for training or conferences.
• To perform the duties of this position, the Watershed Technician must serve as an incidental motor vehicle operator during daylight and after dark. Applicant must have a valid driver’s license, automobile insurance, and a good driving record. A personal vehicle will need to be used with mileage being reimbursed at current State of Oregon rates.
• This position involves fieldwork and requires the ability to walk long distances across sloped, uneven terrain, sometimes in inclement weather. It also requires the ability to place and retrieve temperature probes, conduct aquatic surveys, install and maintain field conservation practices, and carry and use equipment and supplies. 

The Hood River Watershed Group is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.