Watershed Technician

National Forest Foundation

Watershed Technician supporting implementation of watershed restoration projects across the National Forest System. Collaborating with field teams and managing program data for NFF's initiatives.

Posted 7/17/2026full-timeArizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah • 🇺🇸 United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $75,000 - $86,250 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in watershed science, project planning, and data management, with a strong focus on environmental monitoring and regulatory compliance. Proficient in maintaining program databases and synthesizing technical data to support watershed restoration efforts.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Watershed Science ExpertiseProject Planning and CoordinationData Management and Environmental MonitoringFamiliarity with Section 404/401 RegulationsStrong Writing and Communication Skills

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Data ManagementProject PlanningBudget TrackingEnvironmental MonitoringSpatial AnalysisGIS PlatformsWatershed Restoration MethodsTechnical DocumentationRegulatory ComplianceMonitoring Protocols

Soft Skills

Communication SkillsInterpersonal SkillsCollaborationProblem-SolvingRelationship Building

Tools & Technologies

ArcGIS OnlineRIBITS LedgerMonitoring Data SystemsProject Tracking Systems

Industry Keywords

Watershed RestorationConservation ProgramsNatural Resource ManagementEnvironmental ScienceU.S. Forest ServiceWetland EcologyStream RestorationMitigation Banking

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Assist with maintaining program databases that track key watershed restoration project information such as locations, treatments, and outcomes, across the NFF watershed portfolio, supporting data integrity and quality control.
Provide input and analysis to support the ongoing refinement of NFF’s watershed impact metrics framework, in coordination with the Watershed Program Specialist and Enterprise Programs staff.
Compile and help synthesize monitoring data from field teams and partners to support program reporting, grant deliverables, and internal learning products.
Assist with preparing data summaries and visualizations that communicate program progress and outcomes to internal and external audiences.
Help maintain spatial data layers in ArcGIS Online or similar platforms to support the tracking and assessment of watershed projects across the National Forest System.
Maintain the Regulatory In-lieu Fee and Bank Information Tracking System (RIBITS) ledger for NFF’s Western Slope In-Lieu Fee Program, including credit transactions, project tracking entries, and required updates.
Support financial tracking and accounting for the ILF Program, including reconciliation of fee receipts, project expenditures, and credit balances, in coordination with the Watershed Program Specialist and NFF Finance team.
Prepare draft annual reports, monitoring summaries, and other regulatory documentation required under the ILF Program Instrument and associated permit conditions, for review and finalization by the Watershed Program Specialist.
Assist in the preparation of project-related documents such as contracts, scopes of work, and task orders, for consultants and contractors engaged on ILF projects, under the direction of the Watershed Program Specialist.
Maintain organized program records, correspondence files, and project tracking systems to ensure accurate and auditable program administration.
Track policy developments related to Section 404/401 wetland and waters permitting, mitigation banking, and ILF programs, and flag relevant updates for the Watershed Program Specialist.
Serve as a subject matter resource on watershed restoration methods, such as low-tech process-based restoration (LTPBR), meadow restoration, and riparian improvement, for NFF Field Coordinators and field staff implementing projects on National Forest System lands.
Provide technical advice to field teams on project design, treatment selection, monitoring protocols, and implementation methods, drawing on watershed science expertise that complements the generalist knowledge of many field staff.
Support field teams with review of project designs, contractor deliverables, monitoring plans, and related implementation documents to strengthen technical quality and alignment with NFF’s watershed restoration practice.
Participate in field site visits at field team request as a technical resource, contributing to photo-documentation, data collection, and quality assurance of on-the-ground restoration activities.
Support field teams with grant and partner reporting by synthesizing technical data, monitoring results, and programmatic inputs across multiple projects and regions.
Help surface and share lessons learned across NFF’s watershed restoration portfolio, bringing a cross-regional perspective to inform field decision-making and troubleshoot common challenges.
Build and maintain working relationships with U.S. Forest Service staff, conservation NGO partners, state agencies, tribal partners, and other stakeholders in support of, rather than replacement of, field team-led partnerships, in coordination with the Watershed Program Specialist.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Minimum of an undergraduate degree in watershed science, hydrology, natural resource management, environmental science, conservation biology, or a closely related field.
Relevant professional experience may substitute.
At least three years of work experience with conservation programs, project planning, and/or coordinating project implementation.
Demonstrated involvement in project planning, coordination, accomplishment and budget tracking, and project operations management that involves multiple implementation partners, contractors, and funding sources.
Experience with data management and environmental monitoring; familiarity with spatial analysis and GIS platforms such as ArcGIS Online preferred but not required.
Familiarity with watershed science, riparian or wetland ecology, and/or stream restoration concepts and methods.
Familiarity with federal land management, U.S. Forest Service programs, and/or regulatory frameworks such as Section 404/401 of the Clean Water Act is strongly preferred.
Commitment to the mission of the NFF and familiarity with the U.S. Forest Service purpose and National Forest System management.
Strong writing and communication skills.
Must be authorized to work in the United States.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Medical and dental insurance paid at 75% by the organization for you and any dependents.
Vision insurance paid 50% by the organization for you and any dependents.
Health savings account (HSA) with employer contributions between $1,878–$3,750 per year, predicated on coverage type.
Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSA).
Employee assistance program (EAP) at no cost.
403(b) retirement plan with a 5% employer match after one (1) year of service.
Short-term and long-term disability insurance at no cost.
Basic life and AD&D insurance at no cost, with voluntary life insurance options.
Whole life insurance at a discounted rate.
Employees start with 35 days of annual leave, sick leave, personal leave, and holidays (annual leave accrual rates increase with years of service).
Family & medical leave for up to sixteen (16) weeks with up to four (4) weeks paid.
Training & Development Programs.
Professional development reimbursement for up to $1,000 per year.
The opportunity to support an incredible mission and travel to / work in spectacular locations.