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 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 Middle Colorado Watershed Council’s mission is to evaluate, protect, and enhance the health of the Middle Colorado River watershed through the cooperative effort of watershed stakeholders. Since its inception in 2009, MCWC has monitored water quality; completed recreation access projects; developed a Colorado River interpretive center, the River Stop, in Rifle, Colo.; revegetated stream banks; removed invasive species; installed fish barrier and passage structures in coordination with local farmers and ranchers; coordinated water quality and weather monitoring activities to mitigate wildfire and post-wildfire impacts; and developed an Integrated Water Management Plan (IWMP) for the Middle Colorado river basin, among other projects.

Service Position Summary: The AmeriCorps member will work with staff to provide support services for the Middle Colorado Watershed Council (MCWC) on projects and goals within the Middle Colorado River region (Glenwood Canyon to De Beque Canyon, Colorado).

Essential Functions (Primary Responsibilities):

  • Support and assist the two local schools and their River Watch water quality monitoring (Glenwood Springs Middle School and Grand Valley High School)

  • Assist the project manager in on-the-ground implementation and volunteer coordination for multiple grant-funded projects

  • Assist in community outreach for volunteer engagement for restoration and water quality projects

  • Assist in event marketing and management of watershed-oriented MCWC community events

  • Assisting with the development of a new volunteer network for River Stop, a local destination for interactive riparian educational opportunities and outdoor activities.

  • Assist with publications and marketing coordination under the direction of the Executive Director (newsletters, social media posts, etc.)

Physical, Emotional, and Intellectual Demands:

  • Comfortable with engagement with general public

  • Ability to independently perform tasks after receiving project direction

  • Ability to support youth and adults in a teaching or volunteer environment.

  • Social media skills and/or graphic computer program skills helpful in building communication network

  • Reporting and tracking of projects/project hours will be required using MCWC tracking methods

  • Hiking on rough terrain, getting in water (streams or creeks), and carrying or moving objects that weigh up to 40 pounds could be required

  • Flexibility for evening and weekend work schedule

Qualifications:

  • Driver’s license, your own vehicle, and auto insurance

  • Able to work in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other standard or equivalent programs

  • Attention to detail

  • Ability to communicate orally and in writing in a coherent and professional manner

  • Curiosity and engagement with a variety of environmental pursuits related to MCWC project work

  • Event management skills helpful

  • Background in outdoor sciences that can be shared with MCWC audience useful

  • 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) and school background check as required

Term of Service / Time Commitment: This is a three quarter time national and community service position requiring, at a minimum, a total of 1200 hours during the year (approximately 35-40 hours per week). The position begins March 3rd, 2025 and ends November 21st, 2025. While the position service will occur mostly between Monday to Friday, 8:30 am – 5:30 pm, flexible hours may be required including occasional evening and weekend commitments. Within these hours, there will be sufficient opportunity to complete the term of 1200 hours, including holidays, time off, and missed hours to makeup.

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 MCWC’s Executive Director Kate Collins (kcollins@midcowatershed.org) and Project Manager Liberty Costello (lcostello@midcowatershed.org, 970-625-1829, as well as by Allison Palmasano, River Corps Project 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: Middle Colorado Watershed Council is located on the Colorado River in Western Colorado. This position is based in Rifle, Colorado, at the River Stop but there is an opportunity for work to be completed independently as well as on-site under the project manager’s or executive director’s direction throughout the watershed. The watershed extends from the east end of Glenwood Canyon to De Beque Canyon and includes tributaries in those boundaries. Towns on the river include Glenwood Springs, New Castle, Silt, Rifle, Parachute and De Beque, as well as the Battlement Mesa Metro District. Our office is located at 200 Lion’s Pond Circle, Rifle CO 81650 and sits within the CDOT rest area. Project areas are throughout the watershed. The River Watch programs include work with Glenwood Springs Middle School in Glenwood and Grand Valley High School in Parachute.

Benefits:

  • A living allowance of $17,500 will be made in bi-weekly (every other Friday) payments of $921.05 before taxes. Taxes are deducted and the living allowance is distributed by direct deposit to the member.

  • An education award of $5176.50 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.

Table 1: Service hours, living allowance, Segal Education Award, and bi-weekly bank deposits from living allowance.

Diversity and Equal Opportunity Statement:

In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, there shall not be any discrimination against an 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 organization. We provide equal employment, volunteer, and experience opportunities to all individuals based on relevant qualifications and abilities. River Science prohibits any such discrimination or harassment.

River Science will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, unless doing so would result in an undue hardship. This policy governs all aspects of the position, including: selection, assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training. If you believe you need an accommodation due to a disability, contact the Executive Director immediately. Members with questions or concerns about discrimination in the workplace are encouraged to bring these issues to the attention of the Executive Director (Luke Javernick, luke@river.science).