Desert Rivers Restoration Apprentice

Watershed Management Group; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 20,664 - 27,552; Part time

Job summary

Watershed Management Group is seeking a Restoration Apprentice in Tucson, Arizona to assist in river restoration projects, focusing on community engagement and ecological health. This role involves fieldwork, project coordination, and supporting volunteer efforts while valuing diversity and inclusion.

Ideal candidates will have strong communication skills, experience with fieldwork, and a passion for environmental stewardship. Responsibilities include assisting with planning and implementation of restoration projects and coordinating with various community groups.

Qualifications

• Ability to work evening and weekend hours as needed.
• Cell phone that can handle work communications.
• Experience in community engagement.

Responsibilities

• Assist with River Run Network restoration projects.
• Co-lead volunteer-based events.
• Maintain and update ESRI ArcGIS data layers.

Skills

Interest in WMG’s mission

Ability to engage diverse communities

Strong communication skills

Organizational skills

Experience with field work

Proficient in Google Docs

Ability to work independently

Tools

ArcGIS Pro

ESRI ArcGIS data layers

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Hours per week:10-30; 2-3 days per week, Monday – Friday with occasional evening and weekend hours

The Desert Rivers Restoration Apprentice will be part of the team working primarily on WMG’s River Run Network restoration projects that fulfill WMG’s strategic goals, including our 50-year goal of restoring flow and ecological function to Tucson’s rivers and creeks, as well as our long-term efforts to steward watershed health and hydro-local water supplies. WMG’s restoration project work primarily encompasses the urban and rural areas within the bi-national Santa Cruz and San Pedro watersheds, with a focus on work in the greater Tucson area.

The Restoration Apprentice will primarily assist in the implementation and monitoring of a range of low-tech process-based restoration projects. This will include coordinating restoration project logistics; assisting with permitting, planning, installation; and monitoring of a range of riparian and upland restoration strategies to benefit our creeks and rivers. The Restoration Apprentice will co-facilitate volunteer workdays and assist in oversight of contracted crews and in leading professional trainings. They will help WMG expand its work to engage a diverse public, collaborate with other non-profit organizations, public agencies and private landowners.

Restoration projects will value Sonoran Desert plant communities, ecological principles, and a culturally-centered approach. WMG’s restoration efforts work to engage limited-income, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ communities, and we seek an apprentice who is part of and/or able to effectively engage with these populations.

The Apprentice will participate in weekly onboarding and development activities with a cohort of other apprentices, interns, and docents. Training often occurs on Friday afternoons, 3-5pm.

Job Requirements

• Interest in and support of WMG’s mission
• Ability to engage with diverse communities and build relationships built on trust and understanding
• Ability to work independently
• Strong communication and writing skills
• Promptness and sound organizational skills
• Experience with natural resources-based field work
• Proficient in Google Docs, Microsoft Office Suite, and social media
• Cell phone that can be used to make and receive work calls
• Ability to work evening and weekend hours as needed and work outside in physically demanding environments for full field days

Routine Duties & Responsibilities

• Assist with River Run Network restoration projects including landscape assessment surveys, project coordination, and co-leading volunteer-based events
  • Assist with restoration project planning and assessment efforts
  • Co-lead erosion control and low-tech process-based restoration strategies including riparian restoration treatments with partners and volunteers (e.g., building one-rock dams in tributary arroyos, building beaver dam analogs in creeks)
  • Document project efforts and conduct monitoring
  • Assist in co-leading Arundo donax (Giant cane) removal and revegetation restoration efforts
  • Maintain and update associated ESRI ArcGIS data layers
• Assist in instrumentation, maintenance, and data management of shallow groundwater wells across the greater Tucson area
  • Access wells periodically, download data, update databases, and help to summarize seasonal trends
  • Service and maintain groundwater monitoring wells as needed

Preferred Experience

• ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online (i.e Survey123) experience
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion work experience or training
• Bilingual speaker and writer, fluent in English and Spanish

At the core of our work is the value and practice of diversity, equity, and inclusion with the goal of advancing care for people and the environment. In recruiting for our team, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring in terms of education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, color, religion, disability, sexual orientation and beliefs.