Watershed Technician Arkansas River Watershed Collaborative

Job Classification: Part Time;
Temporary, Hourly (Non-Exempt)

Supervisor: Lake County Program Manager

Compensation: $23-27 hourly

The Arkansas River Watershed Collaborative (ARWC) seeks a motivated individual to support watershed health projects in Lake County. Reporting to the Lake County Program Manager (LCPM), the Watershed Tech (WT) will coordinate and implement the Lake County Community Chipping program, assist with water quality monitoring, and support a range of on-the-ground conservation efforts in the Arkansas Headwaters. This position has potential for extension under certain conditions.

This role is ideal for a student or early‑career professional looking to build hands‑on experience in natural resources, forestry, or nonprofit conservation. The candidate should be responsible, have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, be comfortable doing physical work in variable conditions, and be eager to learn in a collaborative, field‑oriented environment. This role offers the opportunity to develop professionally while doing meaningful work for the communities and landscapes of the Arkansas Basin.

• Coordinate the Lake County Chipping Program, including public outreach, scheduling with landowners and HOA’s, and tracking grant deliverables.
• Work with the Lake County Program Manager to plan and deliver community chipping events.
• Support Home Ignition Zone (HIZ) mitigation education efforts in partnership with the LCPM and local partners.
• Conduct community outreach and engagement related to wildfire mitigation planning and implementation.

• Assist with, and eventually lead, water quality sampling at monitoring sites across Lake County.
• Record, organize, and evaluate water quality data to support reporting and public communication.

• Under the guidance of the Lake County Program Manager, support various watershed health projects, which may include fuels health treatments and wildfire mitigation, stream and wetland restoration, post‑fire planning and recovery, and mine remediation efforts.
• Assist with site visits, data collection, photo documentation, and other fieldwork as assigned.
• Help maintain project records, timelines, and deliverable tracking.

• Currently pursuing or recently completed a degree in a relevant field (environmental science, forestry, natural resources, etc.), or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate multiple tasks efficiently and meet deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, a collaborative mindset, and the ability to operate independently in a self‑directed environment.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and be willing to travel and use a personal vehicle, as necessary; travel expenses will be reimbursed.
• Ability to work in a variety of settings including office, vehicle, and outdoor environments in all possible weather conditions and possess the physical ability to hike through Colorado’s varied landscapes.
• Successful applicants must be able to pass a background check before beginning work.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and other typical office software.

• Understanding of wildfire mitigation, forest health, or water quality monitoring principles.
• Experience with volunteer coordination or public‑facing outreach.
• Experience or willingness to learn forestry hand and power tools.
• Familiarity with GIS tools (ESRI, GPS, ArcGIS Collector, Survey
  123) or data‑collection applications.

• Gain meaningful, hands‑on experience in wildfire mitigation, water quality monitoring, and watershed restoration.
• Work alongside experienced professionals in a supportive, mission‑driven team.
• Spend your workdays in one of Colorado’s most stunning landscapes, the mountain towns of the Arkansas River Headwaters.
• Build skills and connections that translate directly to a career in natural resources or conservation.

To best serve the needs of our basin, ARWC employees are located throughout the organization’s service territory. Staff work primarily from home offices and travel to project sites when necessary. This position will be largely responsible for projects in Lake County but travel to adjacent counties or other parts of the state may be required. Preference will be given to candidates residing in or near Leadville, Colorado.

This is a temporary hourly position with an average of 20‑25 hours/week. Compensation is commensurate with qualifications and experience, but we anticipate hiring between $23 and $27/hour. This position is not eligible for benefits.

Disclaimer:
The duties and responsibilities described above are not a comprehensive list and additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time; the scope of the job may change as necessitated by business demands.