Hydrological Research Member

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with US Forest Service Pacific Northwest (PNW) Research Station, is seeking One Hydrological Research Member to contribute to hydrological research projects related to timber production, forest fire fuel reduction, and habitat restoration projects alongside US Forest Service Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Anticipated Start Date: ASAP

EstimatedEnd Date: 17 weeks after the start date

*a 17-week minimum commitment is required*

Location Details/Description: H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest (Blue River, OR)

Members will be based at the following duty station but should expect to travel to multiple project locations in the PNW throughout their term.

H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest, Blue River, OR

The HJ Andrews Experimental Forest was established in 1948 and has been a site of extensive research on hydrologic processes, riparian ecology, forest-stream interactions, biological diversity, biogeochemical cycling, and forest disturbance. It has also been part of the National Science Foundation's Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) program since 1980. Douglas fir-western hemlock forest dominates at lower elevations and Pacific silver fir forest at upper elevations, with some age classes as old as 500 years. In the last few years, large-scale wildfires have burned a significant area of the HJ Andrews. The HJ Andrews has one of the longest continuous data streams of streamflow and stream chemistry in the country and has been used in seminal hydrologic studies.

The Pacific Northwest Research Station is a leader in the scientific study of natural resources. We generate and communicate impartial knowledge to help people understand and make informed choices about natural resource management and sustainability. The PNW Research Station has 11 laboratories and research centers in Alaska, Oregon, and Washington as well as 12 active experimental forests, ranges, and watersheds. The PNW Research Station is an integral component of USDA Forest Service Research and Development (R&D), which is the most extensive forestry research organization in the world. Forest Service R&D comprises five regional research stations, the Forest Products Laboratory, and the International Institute of Tropical Forestry. These research facilities, complemented by a network of 80 experimental forests, are strategically located to reflect the diversity of natural resources across the country.

For more information about Pacific Northwest Research Station, please visit the USFS website.

Position Overview:

Hydrologic research at the USFS Pacific Northwest Research Station, H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest represents one of the most comprehensive long-term investigations of ecohydrological processes in forested and mountainous landscapes on National Forest System lands. The site's steep terrain, spatially heterogeneous vegetation, and well‑instrumented watershed network provide a natural laboratory for quantifying precipitation partitioning, rain-snow transition dynamics, subsurface flow pathways, and streamflow generation mechanisms across multiple spatial and temporal scales and allows PNW and university scientists to provide management relevant science to NFS. Decades of continuous monitoring have produced an unparalleled hydrometeorological record, enabling the detection of long‑term trends, the evaluation of watershed response to disturbance and climate variability, and the development and validation of process-based hydrologic frameworks. These sustained observations form the empirical foundation for advancing fundamental understanding of coupled water, energy, and biogeochemical cycles in temperate forest ecosystems.

The continuation of these long‑term studies requires a dedicated and technically proficient hydrologic support staff to maintain study continuity, instrumentation integrity, and methodological consistency. Long‑term hydrologic records are highly sensitive to interruptions in monitoring, changes in measurement protocols, and instrument failures. The hydrologic research member would collaborate to ensure that sensors remain functional, observational streams are validated and archived to rigorous standards, and field studies remain consistent across decades, despite advancements or environmental disturbances. Sustaining this hydrological science capacity is essential for preserving the scientific value and legacy of the HJ Andrews and PNWRS by enabling future research that relies on the stability and reliability of long-term hydrologic observations. Additionally, the hydrologic research member would be able to visit other experimental sites to help with data collection and maintenance of instrumentation, but the primary duties would be focused at the HJ Andrews Experimental Forest. The hydrologic research member will travel using a government-provided vehicle to locations within the PNW to conduct field work for research scientists at the PNW Research Station.

Research Hydrologist at the PNW Research Station will work with hydrologic research member to determine specific project assignments after onboarding. Project tasks may include but are not limited to:

• Development and maintenance of instrumentation for research, monitoring, and evaluation surrounding long-term data streams at the HJ Andrews Experimental Forest. This includes but is not limited to development of stage-discharge curves, groundwater well maintenance and monitoring, weather station data collection, installation and monitoring of streamflow presence-absence sensors, and other hydrometeorologic instrumentation.
• Participation during synoptic sampling campaigns of soil moisture, geophysical properties, tree coring, water chemistry, and streamflow permanence as it pertains to hydrologic or related natural resources research.
• Basic for administrative duties that would include data entry, QA/QC, data analysis, composition of standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Recording and entering high-quality data independently.
• Navigating (including orientation using GPS, map, and compass) off trail across steep, rough, unstable, and brushy slopes in all weather conditions from cold to hot and rainy to dry.

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Schedule: Schedules will shift over the course of the term depending on the project assignments. Early morning or night work may be required. Possible work schedules include four 10-hour days, five eight-hour days, and eight days on/six days off. The member will not work more than 80 hours every 2 weeks.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $600/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly. The living allowance is a fixed rate determined by the USFS and ACE and is not flexible.

Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in provided housing at no cost for the duration of the term. Members will be housed in a shared bunkhouse at the HJ Andrews Experimental Forest near Blue River, OR. Members must be willing to travel frequently and potentially move between bunkhouses over the course of their term. For all positions, a government vehicle will be provided for travel between bunkhouses and all field work.

Relocation Assistance:ACE members will have access to up to $350 to be used for eligible relocation expenses. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process.

Gear Assistance: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes boots/footwear and must be approved by ACE staff prior to purchase.

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support. Specific training may include but is not limited to: protocols for data collection of instrumentation, water chemistry samples, data entry and analysis, navigation throughout the experimental forest, construction and installation of hydrologic instrumentation, and collection of streamflow permanence data.

Qualifications

Required:

• Competitive applicants for these positions may hold or be pursuing a bachelor's degree in hydrologic science, environmental science, forestry, geology, natural resources, engineering, or another related discipline.
• Experience with collecting discharge measurements using velocity-area and mass recovery methods.
• Familiarity or experience with a scientific coding language such as python, R, or MATLAB
• Members must be authorized to work in the United States. ACE does not provide sponsorship for employment visas.
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.

• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request). Members must be 21+ to drive due to ACE's insurance and liability requirements.

• Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.
• Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website.

Preferred:

• Experience installing and maintaining streamgages, weather stations, precipitation sampler, and other continuous hydrometeorological monitoring stations.
• Ability to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot hydrologic instruments (e.g., pressure transducers, data loggers, environmental sensors, etc.).
• Experience managing and processing hydrologic datasets (e.g., stage–discharge development, hydrograph analysis, groundwater pumping or slug tests).
• Familiarity or experience with a scientific coding language such as python, R, or MATLAB
• Knowledge of water quality instrumentation and sampling protocols.
• Experience hiking daily over long distances in remote, steep, and rocky terrain off trail, and in adverse weather conditions.
• Knowledge of the basic theories and practices of hydrologic science sufficient to analyze findings.
• Knowledge of the technical processes, procedures and techniques related to hydrologic science samples, measurements, and analysis.
• Ability to work as part of a team to meet project goals, as well as independently to complete survey tasks.
• Ability to work independently, and in small groups with minimal supervision, at day or night including hiking, driving, following survey protocol.
• It is desirable to have a personal vehicle, as many bunkhouses are in remote areas, and it may be difficult to secure rides for recreational travel or other activities during off hours.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain carrying up to 40 lbs., and camp overnight under field conditions. This is a highly physical outdoor position that requires substantial fitness and mobility, and a tolerance for extreme weather and demanding conditions.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 40 lbs., ability to move up to 50 pounds.
• Environmental: Work will be mostly outdoors. Outdoor conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions such as snow, heavy rain, and extreme heat is expected. Wildfire smoke in the summer is common; members may be required to wear N95 masks.
• Travel: This position does require occasional travel. This may involve driving 4x4 and/or all-wheel drive vehicles safely in off-road conditions.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE members may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, poisonous or thorny plants, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. Poison oak is prevalent in many study areas. There is potential to encounter bears, cougars and other wildlife while driving or hiking. The members may be exposed to wildfire smoke in the late summer/early fall but will be provided with N95 masks to protect airways and/or given alternate tasks to limit exposure and exertion on days where air quality is poor. The members are expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members, equipment, or resources.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety:If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the USFS or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the USFS. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the USFS, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to USFS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to ACE's online application page for this position on our website. Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact ACE EPIC Project Manager - BLM/FS, Anna-Louise Calliham.

If you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications, we want to hear from you!

ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information when you are enrolled in a program to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

EEO: Employment or Service with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee, member, or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment, hire, training, transfer, promotion, compensation, demotion, termination, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, creed, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.