Program Overview: River Science is the lead organization for River Corps and is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit located in Cañon 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 Blue River Watershed Group (BRWG) was founded in 2004 by community members who were passionate about protecting and preserving the health of the Blue River Basin. Our mission is to promote, protect, and restore a healthy Blue River watershed through cooperative community education, stewardship, and resource management. BRWG works closely with local governments, state and federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, businesses, landowners, and community members to develop and implement projects that improve watershed health. We focus on the entire watershed, which drains an area of about 680 square miles covering all of Summit County and portions of Grand and Lake Counties.

Service Position Summary: The River Watch Outreach Coordinator will support BRWG’s River Watch program, a Colorado Parks and Wildlife program in which volunteers collect and analyze monthly water quality data at tributaries throughout Summit County for the statewide water quality database. Trained in River Watch field and laboratory methods, the member will support each monthly sampling cycle (communicating with volunteers, preparing sampling materials, conducting in-situ sampling and lab analysis, and entering and sharing data) while engaging volunteers, students, and community members in watershed stewardship. The member will also support outreach and volunteer coordination for restoration projects and help improve mapping and data visualization tools for BRWG’s Water Quality Monitoring and Data Visualization Project.

Essential Functions (Primary Responsibilities):

• Train in River Watch methods, protocols, sampling methods, and laboratory analysis techniques, and support monthly sampling at tributary sites throughout Summit County
• Help organize River Watch logistics and sampling dates, and communicate with volunteers, laboratory space managers, and landowners of sites accessed through private land
• Prepare laboratory and field kit sampling materials ahead of each sampling day
• Follow quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) procedures to ensure the most accurate data measurements
• Enter data into the River Watch data sheets and help communicate results to volunteers and partners
• Help maintain an accurate inventory of sampling supplies, River Watch materials, and laboratory chemical reagents, and flag items to reorder before they expire or run low
• Help train new volunteers on River Watch protocols, sampling methods, and laboratory analysis
• Support outreach events that engage students and community members in learning about and getting involved with environmental monitoring, including working with school groups throughout the county
• Create educational materials to aid River Watch volunteers, stakeholder groups, and the community at large
• Track progress and collect evaluation data for the program’s performance measures
• Attend all required AmeriCorps orientations, meetings, and trainings
• Complete and submit all necessary paperwork and reports by predetermined deadlines

 Marginal Functions (Secondary Responsibilities):

• Help recruit new River Watch volunteers and involve partners, Board Members, and other NGOs in the program
• Help plan growth opportunities for volunteers, such as a River Watch Bootcamp to train and educate new and existing volunteers
• Identify ways to streamline River Watch processes and opportunities to grow the program
• Help create a sustainable plan to support volunteer programs
• Learn about data and volunteer management while helping to create and manage BRWG volunteer groups throughout the county
• Learn about and help with data mapping and visualization tools for research-based data communication
• Engage with students at site visits to further their understanding of methods, protocols, and environmental opportunities outside the classroom
• Learn from professionals in the environmental field, gaining opportunities and contacts in water policy, river research, and riparian restoration

Physical, Emotional, and Intellectual Demands:

• Must be willing to attend River Watch training events during the term of service; BRWG usually hosts one 4-day training annually in the fall
• Able to perform field sampling in and near streams, and laboratory analysis using chemical reagents while following safety protocols
• Outgoing and able to engage with students, volunteers, and other environmental professionals
• Able to stay organized and manage multiple tasks and deadlines
• Some local travel is required to reach sampling sites, laboratory space, and program sites

Qualifications:

• Desire to learn about and serve with environmental professionals and stakeholder groups
• Passion for educating and training volunteers and for community organizing
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to engage with volunteers and students of all ages
• Ethic of national and community service and a strong desire to create positive change
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; computer literate
• Working knowledge of Word, Google Suite, Excel, and PowerPoint is helpful
• Reliable transportation and proof of auto insurance

AmeriCorps Required Qualifications:

• 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) per 45 CFR 2540.202

Term of Service / Time Commitment: This is a half-time national and community service position requiring, at a minimum, a total of 900 hours during the year (approximately 25 hours per week). The position begins Monday, March 8, 2027 and ends Friday, November 19, 2027. While 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 900 hours, including holidays, time off, and making up missed hours.

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 Vanessa Logsdon, Executive Director, Blue River Watershed Group (director@blueriverwatershed.org), and Reyna Schedler, Community Engagement and Grants Director, Blue River Watershed Group (events@blueriverwatershed.org), as well as by Allison Palmasano, River Corps Program Director, allison@river.science / 719.429.3707. The cohort of members serving throughout the region will function as additional resources and support for each other.

Location and Service Conditions: This position is based at the Water Division, 38 Stan Miller Dr, Breckenridge, CO 80424 and will involve service at River Watch sampling sites, laboratory space, and program sites throughout Summit County and the surrounding region.

Number of Positions: 1

Benefits:

• A total living allowance of $14,250, paid in bi-weekly installments of $770.27 (on Fridays). Taxes are deducted and the living allowance is distributed by direct deposit to the member.
• An education award of $3,697.50 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.
• 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 Corps recognizes the value of diversity and inclusiveness to advance environmental education. River Corps recognizes the value of diversity and inclusiveness to advance environmental education. This program is available to all, without discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, religion, age, national origin, genetic information, disability, military status, familial status, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Blue River Watershed Group shall not discriminate against any employee, AmeriCorps member, 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, service, and volunteer opportunities to all individuals based on relevant qualifications and abilities.

Reasonable Accommodation: River Corps and its host sites are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. Applicants or members who need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process or to perform the essential functions of the position should contact Allison Palmasano, River Corps Program Director, at allison@river.science or 719.429.3707.