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 or healthy rivers and watersheds. To thrive in these technical positions, Members will receive comprehensive training and ongoing support. Specifically, all members will receive training in water quality sampling, stream flow measurement, on-the-ground project monitoring with GIS, and essential watershed coordination techniques to ensure they are adding valuable capacity to watershed actions and initiatives across Colorado. Some positions will require members to be trained in low-tech process-based restoration (ltpbr).  

Service Position Summary: This position will focus on River Science’s 2026 PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) outreach and support to various water treatment plants as they prepare for upcoming PFAS compliance. This member will focus on the education, outreach, training, and support to various water treatment operations in Colorado, with a special focus on rural. Support can include

• Contacting and working directly with specific public water systems.
• Provide drinking water operators with information to effectively characterize PFAS contamination in public water systems
• Through direct outreach, educate and empower the drinking water operator to prepare, collect, ship, review analyses, and report PFAS data
• Specific details to train them on completing forms (i.e. chain of custody), label samples correctly, and shipping.
• Provide guidance towards solutions to protect the public from water sources with PFAS contamination.

Essential Functions (Primary Responsibilities):

• Outreach and communication
• Educate on upcoming PFAS compliance
• PFAS sample collection and shipping
• Coordination among other AmeriCorps members who are sampling PFAS
• Collate PFAS data
• Update GIS datasets for PFAS geographic data
• Prepare reports

Marginal Functions (Secondary Responsibilities):

• Collect other water quality data (metals, nutrients, macroinvertebrate)
• Collect water quantity data (stream flow measurements)

Physical, Emotional, and Intellectual Demands:

• Strong interpersonal communication skills (written and oral)
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and work within a team
• Computer skills (MS Word, Excel)
• Willing to work outside and sometimes alone
• Willing to work in inclement weather
• Capable of lifting 35 pounds

Qualifications:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Have their driver’s license, their own vehicle, and proof of auto insurance
• 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)

Additional Knowledge/Skills/Abilities necessary for this position.

•  Effective time management and how to prioritize various tasks
• Strong algebra skills
• Basic computer skills:

  • Microsoft Word and Excel

  • Email

  • Managing a shared calendar 

• Desire to learn
• Ability to engage with the public and build relationships

AmeriCorps Required Qualifications:

• At least 17 years old at start of service [may adjust to 18 years old per program design]
• 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) per 45 CFR 2540.202

Term of Service / Time Commitment: This is a Three Quarter Time (TQT) national and community service position requiring, at a minimum, a total of 1200 hours during the year (approximately 37-40 hours per week). The position begins February 16, 2026 and ends September 30, 2026. 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 full term of 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, 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 River Science’s Director (Luke Javernick, luke@river.science) as well as by Allison Palmasano, 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 430 Main Street, Canon City, CO 81212.

Benefits:

• A living allowance will be made in bi-weekly (every other Friday) payments. See Table 1 for details. Taxes are deducted and the living allowance is distributed by direct deposit to the member.
• An education award upon successful completion of term of service (see Table 1 for details).
• 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
• Training certificates in Water Quality & Ecology, and Hydrology Technician 1
• 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.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

River Conservation Corps(RCC) recognizes the value of diversity and inclusiveness to advance environmental education. RCC defines diversity in its broadest sense and welcomes everyone including but not limited to people of all races, ethnicities, genders, gender expressions, sexual orientations, abilities, ages, national origins, socioeconomic status, religious affiliations, languages, and heritages.

River Science shall not discriminate against any 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 employee organization. We provide equal employment and volunteer opportunities to all individuals based on relevant qualifications and abilities