Water Resources Technician - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy; Durango (CO); On-site; USD 29,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Segal AmeriCorps Education Award

Living Allowance per week

Additional weekly benefit

Free healthcare coverage (opt in)

Childcare coverage (opt in)

Job summary

Conservation Legacy is seeking a Water Resources Technician for AmeriCorps placement to assist field staff in collecting water samples and data across multiple water bodies near Red Lake. The role includes lab work, scheduling coordination, and support for ongoing water-related projects.

The position emphasizes outdoor work, strong communication, and adherence to program guidelines, with a start in February 2027 and a 26-week term. Housing is not provided.

Qualifications

• Must be a member of a Federally recognized Indian Tribe, Band, or Village or meet one of the listed descriptions.
• United States citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident.
• Has a high school diploma or equivalency; or agrees to obtain before using the education award.
• Enrolled or recently graduated in a biology/environmental science program.
• Must provide information to establish eligibility and complete NSCH checks.
• Enrolled in post-secondary education in biology/environmental science.
• Physically fit to work outdoors in various weather conditions.
• Have a valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Assist in collecting water samples and data from streams, lakes, Red Lake, and Lake of the Woods.
• Coordinate field activities and schedules with field staff.
• Assist in collection of flow surveys and data.
• Run laboratory analysis on water samples in the program lab.
• Pack and ship water samples to project or laboratory partners.
• Maintain the laboratory and ensure equipment and bottles are cleaned and stored properly.
• Assist with deployment and retrieval of buoys.
• Support other water-related projects as needed.

Skills

Tribal eligibility

US citizenship

Driver's license

Outdoor work ability

Field communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

Biology or environmental science degree

Job description

• Location 701 Camino Del Rio Suite 101, Durango, CO, 81301, United States
• Job Category Individual Placement, AmeriCorps, Water Resources Technician
• Industry Natural Resources, Selected, WaterCorps
• Employee Type AmeriCorps

• Name Brenna Pemberton
• Email [e-mail]

Position Title

Water Resources Technician - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Red Lake Department of Natural Resources, 15761 High School Dr. Red Lake, MN 56671

Application Timeline: Preference given to applicants who submit applications by 12/31/2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Terms of Service

Ideal Start Date: 2/15/2027

End Date: - 8/13/2027

AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 900 hour, 26 weeks

Purpose

Stewards Individual Placements (Stewards), a program of Conservation Legacy, provides individuals with AmeriCorps service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. Participants serve with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits to provide institutional capacity, develop community relationships, and support ecosystem health. Stewards partners with the Bureau of Indian Affairs to facilitate the WaterCorps Program to provide opportunities to federally enrolled Tribal Members seeking to gain experience in the water resources field. This WaterCorps position will be hosted by the Red Lake Department of Natural Resources, who is seeking a Water Resources Technician.

The Red Lake Department of Natural Resources office is located on the Red Lake reservation where the Water Resources Technician will report for assigned duties every day. The goal of the program is to have sample collection completed as scheduled without delay and have the samples run for chemical analysis in a timely manner so the data collected is as accurate as possible. The Water Resources Technician will be a great help in assuring the program achieves these goals. The Red Lake Department of Natural Resources Water Resources Department is responsible for overseeing and sampling multiple different water sources throughout the months of May to October, the Water Resources Technician will be responsible for assisting field staff in water sample collection events at all sample locations across or near the Red Lake reservation boundaries and Lake of the Woods locations. Sample collection events will be a mix of routine sampling as a part of the Water Resources Program requirements, as well as various projects ongoing water related projects. At least one day a week, the Technician will process water samples in the program’s laboratory, prepping bottles and equipment, and maintaining the area to ensure the field collection events run smoothly without delay.

Description of Duties

• Assist in collecting water samples and data from streams, small lakes, Red Lake, and Lake of the Woods throughout the summer, requiring heavy lifting of equipment and clear communication throughout field duties.
• Coordinating field activities and schedules with field staff efficiently.
• Assisting in collection of flow surveys and data collection as needed.
• Running laboratory analysis on water samples at the Red Lake Department of Natural Resources laboratory.
• Packing and shipping water samples to project or laboratory partners.
• Maintaining the laboratory ensuring it’s clean and any equipment or sampling bottles are properly cleaned and stored away.
• Assisting with the retrieval and/or deployment of buoys.
• Assistance with any other water related projects as needed.

Qualifications

• Must be a member of a Federally recognized Indian Tribe, Band, or Village; Alaska Native; or meet one of the following descriptions:
• Persons who possess at least one-half degree Indian blood derived from Tribes Indigenous to the United States.
• Descendants of Members of Federally recognized Indian Tribes, Bands or Communities who were residing on any Indian Reservation on June 1, 1934 – shown by providing information asked on a BIA Form 4432.
• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien.
• Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award.
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete National Service Criminal History Checks for Conservation Legacy and the host site.
• Enrolled, currently attending, or recently graduated in a post-secondary education program with a biology or environmental science related degree.
• Be physically fit and have the ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions.
• Have and possess a valid driver’s license.
• Ability to communicate and work together with other Water Resources staff while out in the field

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to tow a trailer with a boat and operate various boats and experience with a canoe.
• Knowledge or experience relating to laboratory work, field sampling and water collection methods.
• Enrolled in aquatic biology courses or in early career development in water resources related fields.
• Familiarity with Tribal natural resources and EPA program.
• Basic computer skills and efficiency at word processing, spreadsheets, or data programs.

Additional Position and Community Information

All projects will be completed within or near Red Lake Reservation boundaries and territories. The reservation is considered a rural community and located approximately 30 miles north of the nearest town of Bemidji. Although rural, Red Lake and Bemidji both have hospitals, grocery / convenience stores, fast food & restaurant options, outdoor activity areas and trails, and other local amenities. Travel to Lake of the Woods may be required throughout the summer, possibly requiring overnight stay that will be covered by the Department. The Red Lake Department of Natural Resources unfortunately does not have on-site or otherwise housing opportunities. The Water Resources Technician may need a personal vehicle to drive to the office, but will not need it for project related activities such as field projects or training.

Our Commitment

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full consideration of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential job functions. Physical requirements may include periodic overnight travel, non-traditional work hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. The ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.

Time Requirements

• Typically, this position is expected to serve full time each week, but exact service schedules may vary according to project needs. Lunch breaks and days off will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service hour accumulation.
• Member must complete all required service hours to obtain the AmeriCorps Education Award.
• Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.

Orientation and Training

• Member will receive an orientation that includes program expectations and AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities
• Online training pertaining to water resources, EPA 106 programs, or Tribal natural resource programs will be offered as news of their offering becomes available.
• Opportunity to travel to local workshops and trainings may be provided as funding allows.

Benefits

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $3,697.50 (pre-tax)
• Living Allowance of $600.00 per week (pre-tax)
• Additional Benefit of $120.00 per week (pre-tax)
• Free Healthcare Coverage (opt in)
• Childcare Coverage (opt in)
• Student Loan forbearance if Eligible (administered by MyAmeriCorps, directly.)
• Interest Payments if Eligible (administered through MyAmeriCorps, directly)

Evaluation and Reporting

As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service.

Reporting requirements include, but is not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking.

Supervisor/Mentor Name and Contact Information

Service Site Contact information: Brenna Pemberton, [e-mail]

Program Contact information: Ash Adkins Irons, [e-mail]

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.