Position Title:  Community Watershed Conservation Technician

Office Location:  Klamath Falls, Oregon (this is a hybrid opportunity requiring presence in Klamath County)

Functional Area: Conservation

Employment Status: Part-time (average 25 hours/week), hourly, at-will, non-exempt.  SWCD operations are primarily supported by grants & contracts.

Compensation:  $18.09 - $27.49 per hour.  The compensation is based on experience and typically starts at the lower end of the range.  Significant personal vehicle use will be required of this position; mileage reimbursement will be provided at the current Oregon rate. 

Benefits:  The District offers sick leave.  The work schedule is somewhat flexible but does have certain deadlines and obligations.

Position Summary: The Community Watershed Conservation Technician will be employed by the Klamath Soil & Water Conservation District under the direction of the District Manager.  In this role, the Community Watershed Conservation Technician will support numerous project areas including water quality and riparian conditions as well as upland concerns such as juniper encroachment.  This role will also include serving as a link between property owners, stakeholders, and funding agencies.  The ideal candidate will utilize strong time management skills to combine technical expertise in selected program areas with the advancement of communication & outreach initiatives that foster sustainable conservation practices in Klamath County.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Water Quality Monitoring Programs (20%) 
  • Collect and submit water samples at selected sites & manage corresponding data including analyzing and sharing results. 
  • Deploy and maintain temperature data logger equipment & manage corresponding data including analyzing and sharing results. 
  • Participate in partnership meetings to share data and develop restoration priorities. 
• Vegetation Management Programs (20%)
  • Collaboratively collect and analyze relevant data to inform project planning & implementation, including identification of environmental constraints. 
  • Coordinate contracts for chemical & mechanical treatments and biomass removal with contractors, monitor compliance, and conduct post-project data collection & analysis. 
  • Support regional plant partnerships including the Klamath County Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA). 
• Conservation Technical Assistance (20%)
  • Conduct site visits to evaluate and document site conditions and resource concerns using photo points, mapping, and data collection, and coordinate with partners to develop conservation recommendations. 
  • Provide technical assistance to landowners/managers and residents regarding soil and water conservation practices, utilizing partnership resources as needed. 
  • Assist other staff members with project proposal development as well as grant applications and reporting.
• Administration (20%)
  • Maintain accurate records and documentation of activities. 
  • Participate in meetings with landowners, stakeholders, and District Manager to coordinate and prioritize work. 
  • Participate when requested in staff meetings and collaborative efforts with agency partners. 
  • Assist in preparing reports for the District Manager, Board of Directors, stakeholders, and funding agencies. 
• Outreach, Education, and Advocacy (20%) 
  • Oversee programmatic communication strategies to expand community awareness of key watershed issues and to deepen the engagement of existing supporters. 
  • Produce engaging printed & digital educational and informational content in a variety of formats that are accessible to a wide range of audiences. 
  • Effectively engage with landowners and stakeholders via one-to-one conversation, facilitated discussions, and public speaking opportunities, providing information about conservation programs, technical resources, and available funding opportunities. 
  • Participate in workshops, hands-on invasive species clean-ups, and community events to promote programmatic awareness; these will include evening and weekend attendance. 
  • Help coordinate technical training and workshops.

 Secondary Responsibilities:

• Occasional attendance at conferences, meetings, or training opportunities may require multi-day, evening, and/or weekend attendance and travel outside of the local area to support professional development. 
• Identify funding opportunities and assist in the development of proposals for restoration, wildfire recovery, and capacity-building projects.
• Additional duties may be assigned as needed to support team adaptability.

Physical Demands / Working Conditions

• Combination of field work (approx. 50%) and office work (approx. 50%) with seasonal variation. 
• Most work can and should be accomplished during a typical business workweek for greatest partner collaboration, but there will sometimes be events that require evening or weekend work so a corresponding quantity of time will be flexed from the typical business hours.
• Typical field tasks may require some physical exertion and will include outdoor working conditions in weather which may be uncomfortable (rain, cold temperatures, hot sun, etc.) and navigating challenging (steep, muddy, rocky, uneven, etc.) terrain. 
• Field tasks may require use of a 4WD or AWD vehicle; lack of appropriate transportation will be a hindrance to fulfilling position duties. 
• Typical non-field tasks will include prolonged periods driving, sitting or standing at outreach events, or sitting at a desk and working on a computer. 
• Duties may require lifting and carrying moderately heavy items. 
• Duties shall be performed in a manner which supports safety and a healthy work environment, including task-appropriate clothing and footwear. 
• Office is co-located inside a federal facility. 

Minimum Requirements

• Associate’s degree in environmental science, conservation, resource management, ecology, hydrology, biology, or a related natural resources field OR a combined minimum of three years of relevant education and experience. 
• Demonstrated skill in applying basic concepts, principles, and methodologies of the watershed restoration field. 
• Working knowledge of locally common woody and herbaceous plants, including native plants and noxious weeds. 
• Experience conducting field-based water quality monitoring, including sample collection, in-situ measurements, use of standard equipment (e.g., sondes, probes, meters), and adherence to QA/QC protocols and data management procedures. 
• Demonstrated ability to utilize ArcGIS create, modify, and analyze spatial data, as well as use of a GPS unit for location tracking and data entry. 
• Working knowledge of data management and analysis software (RStudio or Python). 
• Proficiency with MS Office suite. 
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with individuals of various backgrounds, including both verbal and written formats. 
• Experience safely operating a 4WD vehicle, both on and off paved roads, in a variety of weather conditions. 
• A flexible working style and the ability to work independently and with teams of specialists to meet client and project needs. 
• Experience adapting and using problem-solving skills to help manage multiple projects and meet deadlines. 
• This position requires driving a vehicle; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a motor vehicle history check and possess and maintain a current, valid driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, conservation, resource management, ecology, hydrology, biology, or a related natural resources field OR a combined minimum of five years of relevant education and experience. 
• Experience working in an agricultural setting. 
• Experience with aquatic and/or terrestrial field research or monitoring projects. 
• Experience with conservation permitting requirements, including NEPA, Endangered Species Act, and local/state/federal regulations. 
• Experience with technical report writing. 
• Experience in coordinating meetings, workshops, and trainings. 
• Experience in working cooperatively with local, state, and federal agency partners, multi-disciplinary teams, and multi-agency efforts. 
• Demonstrated ability to develop professional skillset through application of related knowledge and skills. 

Application review:  Application review will begin June 22, 2026.  We anticipate reaching out to schedule virtual first-round interviews in late June 2026 with a subsequent in-person interview for top candidates. 

Screening:  Applications will be reviewed based on the information submitted; applicants must clearly show how they meet the qualifications through education, employment and/or volunteer history, etc.  Required experience is based on full-time equivalent (40 hours per week). 

Conditions of Employment: 

• Employment is subject to positive reference verification, acceptable criminal history background check, and acceptable motor vehicle history check.

• A trial service period of three months confirms the initial employment decision and shall commence on the first day of employment.  During this evaluation period, the employee and the District will have an opportunity to determine whether further employment with the District is appropriate. 

• Employment is subject to maintenance of a current, valid driver’s license. 

Pay Period:  First - last day of each month

Pay Date:  10th of each month

Selection & start date:  We anticipate selection & offer of employment in mid July 2026.  Upon acceptance, we will initiate a background check with the start date being somewhat negotiable but ideally not later than early August 2026.

To Apply:  Compile documents as 1 PDF file.  Include: 

• Cover Letter
• Resume 
• 3 References
• Optional:  1 example of work product from field-based water quality monitoring with analysis, 1 example of web-based mapping work product, 1 example of outreach work product, 1 other relevant work product.

Klamath SWCD is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To apply, please complete the following form, including uploading documents where indicated.