Watershed Stewardship & Outreach Coordinator

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 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: Located in Southeast Colorado at the base of the foothills and edge of the eastern prairie grasslands, Trinidad is the largest town (population approximately 8,000 residents) in the Purgatoire River watershed. We are a largely agriculture-based watershed with wide open spaces, a rich diversity of wildlife, and increasing development of outdoor recreation opportunities such as hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails (in addition to plentiful hunting and fishing opportunities). From the San Isabel National Forest in the upper headwaters, to the Comanche National Grasslands in the eastern portion of the watershed, to the two State Parks located within minutes of downtown Trinidad (Fishers Peak State Park & Trinidad Lake State Park), and the Purgatoire River running through the heart of everything – we have many precious watershed resources we are all working hard to protect, enhance, and restore while at the same time balancing thoughtful and strategic development of new outdoor recreation opportunities and associated economic development.

The Purgatoire Watershed Partnership (PWP) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) environmental conservation organization based in Trinidad serving all community members across the Purgatoire River watershed. Our mission is to restore, protect, and enhance the Purgatoire River Watershed through stakeholder engagement, collaboration, education, and on-the-ground work for the benefit of all. PWP works closely with many partners (e.g. local landowners, nonprofits, small businesses, municipalities, state and federal entities) to implement education and project work to improve the health, resiliency, and sustainability of our watershed and local communities. We recommend checking out our Purgatoire Watershed Partnership Facebook page (and website: purgatoirepartners.org) to learn more about the work we do.

Service position Summary: The Watershed Stewardship & Outreach Coordinator will work closely with PWP and partners on a wide variety of activities including youth and adult education, water quality sampling and other associated watershed health monitoring, fish stocking, volunteer support and coordination, community outreach and engagement, and a variety of on-the-ground restoration and stewardship project work. This position includes both indoor and outdoor work, and working across a wide variety of conditions and ecosystems. This position also offers the opportunity to work alongside a diverse collaborative group of partners including Colorado Trout Unlimited, Youth Club of Trinidad, Natural Resources jobshiringnearme.org Service, USFS Comanche National Grasslands, Colorado Parks & Wildlife/Trinidad Lake State Park, Trinidad Trails Alliance, local community members and agricultural producers, and other entities associated with watershed stewardship, management and health. This position will also offer support to attend additional skills training and/or conferences (beyond that provided to all River Corps positions) with direct relevance to job position.

Essential Functions (Primary Responsibilities):

• Direct involvement in the development/implementation of a variety of on-the-ground watershed health and restoration-related projects.
• Conduct water quality monitoring and other field data collection in support of watershed health related monitoring and management efforts.
• Develop and provide/coordinate exciting and engaging youth and adult education on a variety of topics tied to river and watershed health, and work alongside youth and adults on outdoor education and stewardship activities.
• Conduct positive and thoughtful outreach and engagement to, and work alongside, a wide diversity of community members and partners across the watershed in support of watershed enhancement and stewardship activities.
• Assist in the coordination, support, and leadership of volunteers and associated stewardship project work.
• Provide a variety of indoor/office support including processing water quality samples and conducting necessary tests, associated reporting, data entry, data management, ArcGIS support, and potentially watershed database development.
• If of interest, the successful candidate can also develop a special project to work on that would directly benefit PWP and partner goals while also offering the successful candidate the opportunity to further explore subject matter and project work of particular interest; as long as the special project does not interfere with completing other work duties.

Marginal Functions (Secondary Responsibilities):

• Work alongside partners to provide input and support on discussions around development and expansion of longer-term capacity for PWP and partners to accomplish watershed health and management goals while also significantly increasing skills training, mentoring, and career opportunities for our local young adults.
• Other indoor/office support such as administrative duties, report writing, grant writing, website and social media updating/engagement, and other outreach.

Physical, Emotional, and Intellectual Demands:

• The PWP organization is required to remain a non-political and non-activist organization. Potential candidates should consider carefully whether this is something that fully resonates with their personal outlook and values.
• Central to PWP efforts is a strong focus on bringing diverse people together to develop projects and win-win solutions to directly benefit our river, watershed, wildlife and communities. This can include tackling tough topics together with community members with strong opposing opinions. Our job is to listen, be respectful, and work together with everyone at the table to find those win-win solutions. This can be emotionally demanding and requires a lot of patience (either natural patience, or learned patience that we can help support you in developing). Again, potential candidates should consider carefully whether this is something that fully resonates with their personal outlook and values.
• Must enthusiastically embrace the opportunity to work with and learn from diverse partners and community members who may hold drastically different viewpoints and priorities than the candidate.
• Ability to build trust and develop partner relationships. Especially in small rural communities, this requires a lot of genuine listening, thoughtful speech, and significant discretion.
• Ability to work at a desk and computer; carry tables and boxes for community events; carry light-weight to mid-weight backpacks full of gear; carry and operate work tools and equipment (training will be provided); regularly navigate riverbanks, trails, and slopes (including in inclement weather); and get into and out of the river on a regular basis for other monitoring and restoration work.
• Work may involve a combination of indoor and outdoor work within a given day or week.

Qualifications:

Knowledge:

• Knowledge and proficiency in using Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Google Docs. For the right candidate, we may be willing to train.
• ArcGIS experience ideal, but not required.
• Familiarity with Canva and other outreach/engagement software a plus but not necessary.

Skills:

• Must truly enjoy and embrace working with a very diverse group of community members with a range of backgrounds, beliefs, and priorities.
• Must be able to maintain a resilient, positive attitude as a default setting. We don’t expect perfection but watershed work can at times include biting insects, bad weather, tired volunteers, evolving logistics based on circumstances beyond our control, or any number of uncomfortable situations that will require maintaining a positive attitude and – as part of a team – working together to develop solutions and help keep everyone safe and as comfortable as possible.
• Must be able to communicate well with PWP staff and partners regarding needs, how things are going, if things need to be adjusted, etc.
• Must be able to manage project work on your own when called for, supported by PWP staff and partners. This can be eased into with strong support and training, as one feels comfortable in this role.
• Must have own reliable transportation and proof of current auto insurance.
• Must already have a strong attention to detail and ability to accurately keep track of data and numbers. We will be conducting scientific monitoring as part of this position. No scientific background is required, but we need to know that data will be collected and tracked accurately with attention to detail.
• Ideally some Leave No Trace training (but we can provide if necessary).

Abilities:

• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Must truly love being outdoors and stewarding your local watershed – and are excited about the opportunity to outreach to and share this joy with all ages of our community members through education and stewardship.
• A strong interest in educating youth and adult community members on watershed health related topics.

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.

*This position is being advertised as a ¾ time position, but there is some flexibility to fill this as a ½ time position if that provides more flexibility for the right candidate.

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 Julie Knudson, Executive Director/Watershed Coordinator, jknudson@purgatoirepartners.org, 970.420.1915., 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 act as additional resources and support for each other. 

Location and Service Conditions: This position is based with Purgatoire Watershed Partnership as the lead partner, but work conditions will range from indoor office work based at Emergent Campus, 612 Park Street, Trinidad, CO, to a host of indoor and outdoor field work in collaboration with partners throughout the Purgatoire Watershed.

Benefits:

• A living allowance of $17,500 will be made every other week (on Fridays) payments of $1060.61. Taxes are deducted and the living allowance is distributed by direct deposit to the member.
• An education award of $5,176.50 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
• Mileage reimbursement for travel to required trainings and days of service
• 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 jobshiringnearme.org 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.

Purgatoire Watershed Partnership 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