Hydrologist/Hydrographer with the Colorado Water Conservation Board

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: The Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) exists to advocate the protection, conservation, and development of water of the State in order to secure the greatest utilization of such waters and the utmost prevention of floods for the benefit of the present and future inhabitants of the State of Colorado. In 1973, the General Assembly authorized the CWCB to appropriate water rights for instream flows and natural lake levels to preserve the natural environment to a reasonable degree. Since 1973, CWCB has appropriated instream flow (ISF) water rights on nearly 1,700 stream segments covering more than 9,700 miles of stream, and natural lake level water rights on 480 natural lakes.

Service Position Summary: This position will conduct fieldwork, technical hydrologic analyses, data entry, and content creation designed to support the Instream Flow and Natural Lake Level Program. A successful applicant will be able to work independently or with staff in the field or in the office as determined by the goals and objectives outlined by staff.

Essential Functions (Primary Responsibilities):

• Hydrologic investigations, analyses, and field work
• Travel to field sites across the state individually or with other staff to make stream flow measurements and document stream conditions. This may also include working with other staff to survey channel topography, water surface slopes, and other measures as necessary.
• May require several days in the field each week.
• Hydrologic analysis can include general quality control of collected field data, working with Aquarius to assist in developing gage ratings, and working with publicly available stream gage data to support staff objectives.

Marginal Functions (Secondary Responsibilities):

• Preparation of materials for CWCB meetings and in support of Board processes including memos, graphs, graphics, maps, tables, and PowerPoint presentations.
• Use of GIS and mapping software to create maps.

Physical, Emotional, and Intellectual Demands:

• Must have a valid Colorado drivers’ license or reliable transportation.
• Possess strong interpersonal communication skills (written and oral).
• Excellent writing and proofreading skills are essential for this position.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and work within a team.
• Computer experience is helpful (MS Office Suite, Google App Suite).
• Experience working with the public.
• Willing to work outside which may involve inclement weather.

Qualifications:

• Stream measurements competencies or knowledge of stream measurement techniques and equipment.
• Working knowledge of Esri ArcPro GIS software
• An ability to think critically about complicated stream systems.
• At least 17 years old at start of service.
• 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).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of hydrologic modeling software
• Knowledge of Colorado’s water rights system

Term of Service / Time Commitment: This is a three-quarter time national and community service position requiring, at a minimum, a total of 1200 hours during the year (approximately 35-40 hours per week). The position begins March 3rd, 2025, and ends November 21st, 2025. While the position service will occur mostly between Monday to Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm, flexible hours may be required including occasional evening and weekend commitments. Within these hours, there will be sufficient opportunity to fulfill the 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 Robert Viehl, Chief, Stream and Lake Protection Section, rob.viehl@state.co.us/720.854.3237, as well as by Allison Palmasano, River Corps Project 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 Colorado Water Conservation Board, 1313 Sherman Street, Room 721, Denver, CO 80203 and may involve working outside and in inclement weather.

Benefits:

• A living allowance of $17,500 will be made in bi-weekly (every other Friday) payments of $921.05 before tax. Taxes are deducted and the living allowance is distributed by direct deposit to the member.
• An education award of $5176.50 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.

Diversity and Equal Opportunity Statement:

In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, there shall not be any discrimination against an 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 organization. We provide equal employment, volunteer, and experience opportunities to all individuals based on relevant qualifications and abilities. River Science prohibits any such discrimination or harassment.

River Science will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, unless doing so would result in an undue hardship. This policy governs all aspects of the position, including: selection, assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training. If you

believe you need an accommodation due to a disability, contact the Executive Director immediately. Members with questions or concerns about discrimination in the workplace are encouraged to bring these issues to the attention of the Executive Director(Luke Javernick, luke@river.science).