Job Opportunities

 

Post-Fire and River Restoration Technician (seasonal)

At a Glance

  • Seasonal position May – October 2026

  • 20-40 hours per week

  • $25-28 per hour

  • Assist with implementation, oversight, and monitoring of post-fire stream restoration in the Cameron Peak Fire burn area in the Poudre Watershed

  • Desired background in watershed science, stream systems and restoration

  • Apply by March 9th, 2026, at 5:00 pm


About CPRW

CPRW’s mission is to improve and maintain the ecological health of the Poudre River Watershed through community collaboration. CPRW began as an informal collaborative of watershed stakeholders in the summer of 2012 following the High Park Fire. In May 2013, CPRW formally became a watershed coalition and was registered as a 501(c)3 non-profit. Through collaborative planning, cost-sharing and on the ground work, we were able to restore more high priority areas in the High Park Fire burn area. CPRW has since led a range of collaborative efforts, including completing watershed plans for both the upper and lower Poudre Watersheds. These plans define and prioritize areas for work and have increased watershed resiliency by reducing the negative impacts from wildfires and floods. Our programs include forestry, rivers, post-fire restoration, community outreach and science/monitoring. We work across the entire watershed from the headwaters in Rocky Mountain National Park to the confluence with the South Platte River. Our work is collaborative in nature, and we work closely with federal and state agencies, local municipalities, nonprofits organizations, researchers, and private landowners.


Job Summary

The Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed (CPRW) is seeking a seasonal technician to support our Rivers and Wildfire Recovery programs during the 2026 field season. Candidates with a background in watershed science, hydrology, ecology, geomorphology, forestry, or a related field are strongly encouraged to apply. Previous fieldwork experience, particularly in stream or related restoration, and proficiency with ArcGIS are highly valued. This role will join a collaborative team focused on reducing post-fire impacts to stream corridors affected by the Cameron Peak Fire in the Cache la Poudre River Watershed.

This position will require extensive field work which could include tasks such:

  • Oversight of Low-Tech Process Based (LTPBR) restoration

  • Visiting and assessing viability of future restoration sites

  • Monitoring biotic and abiotic stream and LTPBR metrics

  • Communicating with landowners, partners, consultants, and contractors

Other duties may include assisting with data organization, project summaries, and outreach related to implemented stream restoration projects.

This position will require travel to field survey locations and significant physical effort, sometimes hiking long distances in a day. Candidates who have a personal vehicle to use should indicate that on their application. A company vehicle is available, but a personal vehicle use will also be required when the work truck is unavailable.

The work schedule is flexible and may include 8–12-hour workdays each week depending on the field schedule and applicant schedule. There is potential for some weekend work. Start date is late May or early June. A commitment to work through mid-October is preferred but the expected end date is flexible, with possible extension into the fall depending on the field season.

Compensation: $25-28/hour, depending on experience and education.

Commitment: 20-40 hours per week, depending on the candidate’s availability and field work schedule. Anticipated ~20-30 hours/week in the early season with 40 hours/week during peak season of July-September.

Position reports to the Executive Director and Post-Fire & Rivers Project Manager at CPRW.


Experience, Knowledge, Skills:

Required

  • Experience and/or physical ability to do field work sometimes alone in challenging conditions, for long hours. Ability to hike miles in rugged terrain. Work may occur during inclement weather conditions, including flooding rain, snow, excessive heat, and lightning storms. Self-sufficiency and solid decision-making are important for personal and crew safety.

  • Baseline understanding of watershed science, hydrology, ecology, geomorphology, forestry or a similar natural resource field.

  • Attention to detail, consistency, reliability, and excellent communication skills.

  • Experience in project oversight: managing project schedules and deadlines.

  • Field navigation skills and working knowledge of Avenza Maps, ArcGIS Field Maps or similar mapping or navigation applications.

  • Ability to operate motor vehicles including 4x4 trucks on and off road.

  • A positive attitude and flexibility in rapidly changing conditions.

  • Seasonal will interact with landowners, contractors, equipment operators, US Forest Service personnel, academic researchers, and the public. Demonstrated ability to work well with a diverse range of people and stakeholders is necessary.

  • Valid driver’s license and personal vehicle that can drive up the Poudre Canyon. Mileage will be compensated at the 2026 federal rate which is set at $0.725/mile. CPRW does have a field vehicle that can be used when available/as needed, but it is shared between other CPRW staff.

  • Flexibility in schedule to work into the fall season.

Desired

  • Working knowledge of watershed science, hydrology, ecology, soil science, or a similar field.

  • Experience with ArcGIS or similar GIS software, as well as experience with GPS field data collection, exporting field data to workstation software, and proficiency with field map production.

  • Familiarity with hydrologic and riparian vegetation monitoring.

  • Knowledge of wildfires, their ecology, and impacts on watershed functions and ecosystem services.

  • Direct knowledge of process-based restoration practices.

Preferred

  • Extensive knowledge of watershed science, hydrology, ecology, soil science, or a similar field.

  • Extensive experience in process-based restoration project oversight, site suitability assessment, implementation, monitoring, or adaptive management.

 

To Apply: Please submit a cover letter, resume, and minimum of two references (Name, Phone, Email, Position, Working Relationship) as one PDF, 5 pages maximum, to Taryn: taryn@poudrewatershed.org and Hally:  hallys@poudrewatershed.org by March 9th, 2026, at 5:00 pm MST. No phone calls please. Qualified applicants will be notified the week of March 16 to schedule an interview.

The Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed is an Equal Opportunity Employer and no otherwise qualified individual shall be subject to discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion or religious affiliation, sex, familial status, age, genetics, disability, or national origin in any phase of employment for this position.