Watershed Technicians

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Grand Mesa and Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest, is seeking two (2) members to contribute to Watershed (hydrology, soils and groundwater) projects alongside Grand Mesa, Paonia, Norwood and Ouray Districts.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: May 31, 2026

Estimated End Date: September 19, 2026

*a 16-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests (GMUG) are comprised of three individual national forests that are administered as a single unit from the Forest Supervisor's Office in Delta, CO. However, this was not always the case. The Grand Mesa and Uncompahgre were joined in 1954, and the Gunnison was added in 1973. The earliest segment of the Forests, dubbed the Battlement Mesa Forest Reserve, was established in 1892. Today, the three forests total almost 3 million acres and are managed by 5 Ranger Districts.

For more information visit The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests, at their website.

Position Overview: The members, with other technicians, will serve as part of the GMUG watershed crew and team program under mentorship and guidance from USFS hydrologists, soil scientists, ecologists, and other renewable resources specialists. Watershed technicians would perform field data inventory for soil and water resources and data analysis following Geographical Information System techniques in accordance with Forest Service standard procedures, protocols, and regulations. This opportunity is intended for enthusiastic professionals, with a deep interest in advancing their career goals in natural resource management and conservation.

Members would be part of the watershed field crew for position duty objectives and accomplishment but overall mentorship with the Renewable Resource specialists' team. This is a casual work environment where employees typically carry out some field work related to their duties on a regular basis. The position will include approximately 80-90% field work. About 10-20% of the work will be carried out in a climate-controlled office. The members will be provided with office space, a desk, and a computer equipped (and/or tablet) with the relevant software. The technicians might be sharing equipment as well as a shared office area.

The Watershed field crew member will be provided with field experience in a forest ecosystem under tasks such as water resources inventories (such as fens, wetland, and other groundwater dependent ecosystems) watershed restoration assessments, wetland restoration assessments, best management practices (BMP's) inventories, soil health and monitoring protocols (soil disturbance monitoring and Proper Functioning Condition assessment), other duties include field data quality control, analysis and review. Geospatial (geographical) field data collection would be performed using ESRI mobile applications and tablet hardware. Knowledge and skills in Geographic Information System (GIS), ArcGIS Online, Avenza, Survey123, Collector, etc. would be helpful but training and mentorship would be provided. After field data collection, office time will be spent developing GIS products, entering field data (data entry), managing databases, writing reports, organizing photos and other imagery.

As part of the Watershed field crew, members would follow guidance and provide all requested deliverables for any other projects as determined by GMUG watershed program manager. The participants will be exposed to working with watershed specialists, or individually, in addition to volunteers, nonprofit partner organizations and some hands-on restoration projects.

As part of the Renewable Resource department, crew members could be tasked with projects and getting work experiences in the ecology, fisheries (aquatic), timber/forestry, fire/fuels, and cultural resources fields. Field work will often involve strenuous physical activity, such as hiking in steep terrain at high altitudes, carrying heavy equipment, and/or working in uncomfortable weather (from hot to rainy), for many hours a day. Participants will be trained in communication by radio and expected to follow pertinent protocols for safety. Participants will need a backpack, a sturdy pair of hiking boots, and personal camping equipment (upon potential of overnight situations). Other backcountry equipment will be provided. Potential hazards include inclement weather, wildlife, riding ATVs, and working within forest areas (hazard trees). As part of the 16-week season, all watershed field crew personnel would go through a 1 to 1 ½ weeks training and be provided with all applicable protocols and field's needs. During the job tenure, members would participate in all required training and safety briefings.

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

Schedule: Typically, Monday - Friday between the hours of 8am - 5pm MST. Occasional weekend and evening shifts may be necessary for project needs. In general, schedules are described as flexible in an open-conversation, guidance environment.

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. The living allowance is a fixed rate determined by the USFS and ACE and is not flexible.

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 and citizenship. Please see the ACE website for more information on PLC eligibility.

This position is part of the Public Land Corps' Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement must meet the PLC Eligibility requirements to be considered for this position. Members 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 our website.

Housing: ACE members may be accommodated in provided housing at no cost (potential government housing). If not, $100/week housing assistance reimbursement would be provided for the duration of the term. The ACE Member will only be reimbursed for approved and demonstrated housing expenses.

Relocation Assistance: ACE members will have access to up to $500 (if applicable) to be used for eligible relocation expenses. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process.

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.

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be authorized to work in the United States. ACE does not provide sponsorship for employment visas.
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
• 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). Members must be 21+ to drive due to ACE's insurance and liability requirements.

• Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks
• 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 our website.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing geology, watershed, soils, natural science and environmental science degrees or similar and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as hydrology technician, natural resources technician, soil technician, ecology technician (or similar).
• All candidates are encouraged to apply, though local candidates will be strongly considered.
• Knowledge of GPS devices (including navigation and routing placemarks), map reading (printed or digital) and compass usage, Geospatial (geographical) field data collection performed using ESRI mobile applications on tablets and skills in geographical information systems (GIS) and modeling are desired, though not required.
• Ability and willingness to follow field data collection methods using standard protocols, complete data entry and database management (within GIS software's or excel products).
• Field data collection needed skills consists of a high desire to achieve good attention to details as part of field data collection (protocols), and a high desire to achieve a proficient landscape interpretation and site conditions correlation.
• Deep interest in watershed stewardship and sustainable resource management. ON the ground, practitioner experiences and watershed resources correlations.

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 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 50 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 gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools.
• Travel: This position may require domestic travel. This position does not require unique travel.

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 USFS or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the USFS. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the USFS, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to USFS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required. USFS will provide defensive driving training and in person driving test for a temporary government license (as a requirement).

To Apply: For this position, please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and the contact information of three professional/academic references to ACE's online application webpage. Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding the position, please feel free to contact Member Manager, Yunielis Clemente at yclemente-ortiz at usaconservation dot org.

If you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications, we want to hear from you!ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information when you are enrolled in a program to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

EEO: Employment or Service with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee, member, or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment, hire, training, transfer, promotion, compensation, demotion, termination, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, creed, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.