Restoration & Community Engagement Apprentice

Watershed Management Group; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Watershed Management Group is seeking a Restoration & Community Engagement Apprentice to join efforts in the Tucson area. This role supports the River Run Network's ecological projects and involves community engagement, education, and fieldwork.

Ideal candidates will have a strong commitment to diversity and environmental restoration and be willing to engage with various populations. Applicants must be comfortable working outdoors and managing physically demanding tasks.

Qualifications

• Ability to engage with diverse communities and build relationships based on trust.
• Experience with natural resources-based field work.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist with invasive species removal and reforestation.
• Co-facilitate community engagement events.
• Support outreach through various media.

Skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Relationship building

Ability to work independently

Education

Interest in WMG's mission

Tools

Google Docs

Microsoft Office Suite

Social media

Job description

Restoration & Community Engagement Apprentice

The Restoration & Community Engagement 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 (local, renewable water) 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 Apprentice will focus primarily on supporting the River Run Network’s invasive species removal and reforestation effort within the Tucson basin. They will provide outreach and education to community organizations, River Run Network members, and the general public. The Apprentice will co‑lead and co‑facilitate workshops in the Tanque Verde Creek. The Apprentice will also co‑facilitate community clean‑up and invasive species removal events in other parts of watershed, including planning, scheduling, implementing, cleaning up after, and supporting grant reporting for events.

WMG’s restoration efforts work to engage limited‑income, BIPOC, Latinx, 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 field days

Routine Duties & Responsibilities

• Assist with River Run Network invasive species removal and reforestation effort in the Tanque Verde Creek and beyond
  • Co‑facilitate community events across Tucson’s creeks and rivers to steward our creeks, utilizing inclusive, hands‑on workshop techniques
  • Co‑lead Arundo donax (Giant cane) removal and revegetation restoration efforts
  • Document project efforts and conduct monitoring of Arundo and other vegetation
  • Support outreach efforts for community events through email, social media, educational videos, print materials, and in‑person outreach
  • Conduct outreach to community groups to inform and educate about river restoration and recruit groups to volunteer
  • Aid in grant reporting, including gathering metric data and developing qualitative content about the work being done
• Collaborate with the River Run Network Team to support and plan major WMG events
  • Participate in event planning and preparation, volunteer engagement, and event marketing
  • Conduct in‑person education, including designing and leading educational activities for people of all ages
• Support the River Run Network’s Flow365 Monitoring Program
  • Attend quarterly training sessions for community members to assist with their learning
  • Adopt 1‑2 Flow365 Monitoring sites to collect flow data weekly
  • Support the ecosystem health survey launch effort

Preferred Experience

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

How to Apply

Please complete this application form . Note that you should apply for only one apprentice position, your top choice.

Applications must be received by: 22 June, 2026

About the Organization

At Watershed Management Group (WMG), we envision a world where the relationship between the Sonoran Desert and its people creates prosperity for all. This includes all people, plants, animals, land, and waters of the United States, Mexico, and Native American nations found in the Sonoran Desert. Our mission is to develop and implement community‑based solutions to ensure the long‑term prosperity of people and health of the environment. We provide people with the knowledge, skills, and resources for sustainable livelihoods.

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.