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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Water Resource Program Technician

💰 $45,000 - $70,000

EnvironmentalWater ResourcesField TechnicianGISMonitoring

🎯 Role Definition

The Water Resource Program Technician supports municipal, regional, or state water resource programs by planning and executing field monitoring, conducting water quality and biological sampling, maintaining monitoring equipment, performing data entry and QA/QC, supporting compliance and permitting (including NPDES/stormwater programs), and preparing technical documentation. This role requires a blend of hands‑on field work, technical data handling (GIS and spreadsheets), regulatory awareness, and clear stakeholder communication.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Environmental Field Technician
  • Water Quality Sampler / Field Assistant
  • Seasonal Monitoring Technician

Advancement To:

  • Senior Water Resource Technician
  • Water Quality Specialist / Analyst
  • Hydrologist or Watershed Scientist
  • Water Resources Program Coordinator / Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Stormwater Compliance Inspector
  • GIS Analyst (environmental focus)
  • Erosion and Sediment Control Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Plan, schedule, and perform routine and event‑based water quality monitoring in rivers, streams, lakes, wetlands, and stormwater conveyances, following approved monitoring plans and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
  • Collect physical, chemical, and biological field samples (grab samples, composite samples, auto‑sampler retrievals, macroinvertebrate and benthic samples) using proper sample preservation, labeling, and chain‑of‑custody procedures to ensure laboratory integrity.
  • Operate, calibrate, deploy, troubleshoot, and maintain field instrumentation including multiparameter sondes (DO, pH, conductivity), turbidity meters, flow meters (wading rods, current meters, ADCP), and automatic samplers.
  • Conduct streamflow and discharge measurements using industry best practices (wading rod, current meter, ADCP) and document cross‑section and velocity data for hydrologic analyses and model inputs.
  • Perform habitat assessments and biological surveys (qualitative habitat, riffle/pool assessments, riparian condition, and aquatic macroinvertebrate identification) to support ecological health evaluations and permitting actions.
  • Inspect stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs), construction erosion and sediment controls, and post‑construction site stabilization to assess NPDES permit compliance and document corrective actions.
  • Identify and investigate illicit discharges, illicit connections, illegal dumping, and other pollution sources; document findings and coordinate notifications to regulatory staff or enforcement units.
  • Maintain accurate and timely field notebooks, logs, sampling forms, metadata, photo documentation, GPS/GNSS trackfiles, and digital records for regulatory reporting and program transparency.
  • Enter, validate, and perform QA/QC on field and laboratory data using spreadsheets, databases, and laboratory information management systems (LIMS) to ensure data integrity and readiness for analysis.
  • Prepare clear technical memos, monitoring summaries, incident reports, sample chain‑of‑custody records, and standard progress reports for internal teams, regulators, and grant reporting.
  • Support NPDES and other permitting compliance by compiling monitoring results, preparing compliance packages, assisting with outfall mapping, and tracking exceedances or required corrective actions.
  • Use ArcGIS, QGIS, or similar GIS tools to produce maps of sampling locations, monitoring networks, watershed features, BMP inventories, and impervious cover analyses to inform program decisions and public materials.
  • Coordinate field sample shipments and communications with third‑party analytical laboratories, verify laboratory sample receipt, track turnaround times, and resolve discrepancies in results or procedures.
  • Assist with the installation, maintenance, and data downloading of remote data loggers and telemetry systems (data sondes, pressure transducers) and perform routine sensor cleaning, calibration, and sensor drift checks.
  • Support grant‑funded projects and monitoring studies by tracking equipment and supply inventories, documenting time and expenses, and contributing to grant deliverables and invoices.
  • Participate in emergency response for spill events, storm damage, and flood monitoring: collect pre‑ and post‑event samples, document impacts, and support rapid assessment teams as requested.
  • Conduct outreach and represent the water resources program at community events, workshops, volunteer training (stream cleanups, citizen science sampling), and coordinate volunteers and seasonal staff during field campaigns.
  • Train, mentor, and, when required, directly supervise seasonal technicians and volunteers on field safety, sample collection techniques, QA/QC, and data management protocols.
  • Maintain and troubleshoot program vehicles, boats, trailers, and field equipment; ensure safe storage, inventory control, and procurement of supplies and consumables.
  • Assist technical staff and program managers with data analysis tasks, basic statistical summaries, time series plotting, and the preparation of figures and tables for reports and presentations.
  • Ensure strict adherence to health, safety, and environmental protocols, maintain PPE, complete required safety training (e.g., HAZWOPER, confined space, boat safety), and implement site‑specific safety plans in the field.
  • Support permit inspections and compliance audits by compiling inspection checklists, photographs, measurements, and by providing on‑site technical support during regulator visits.
  • Maintain and improve monitoring program SOPs and field protocols by documenting lessons learned, proposing procedural updates, and participating in periodic program reviews to enhance efficiency and data quality.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist program data managers with ad‑hoc data requests, geodatabase maintenance, and basic spatial joins for stakeholder presentations and public transparency pages.
  • Contribute to the program's continuous improvement by suggesting monitoring design refinements, pilot studies, and efficiency improvements based on field observations.
  • Prepare educational materials, social media posts, or webpage content summarizing monitoring results in plain language for public outreach and stakeholder engagement.
  • Support cross‑functional teams (engineering, planning, parks, wastewater) with site reconnaissance, baseline data collection, and photographic documentation for capital projects and watershed planning.
  • Participate in routine procurement and budget tracking for field supplies, lab analyses, and equipment maintenance to ensure project budgets are met.
  • Respond to public inquiry emails and phone calls regarding monitoring schedules, results availability, and general stormwater/water quality questions; escalate technical issues to supervisors.
  • Support GIS staff with field‑verified attribute updates, geotagged photos, and GPS waypoints to maintain accurate asset inventories (outfalls, BMPs, monitoring stations).
  • Assist with the implementation of citizen science programs: train volunteers, review volunteer data, and coordinate submission processes for community monitoring efforts.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Field water quality sampling (grab, composite, automated collection) and strict chain‑of‑custody procedures.
  • Operation, calibration, and troubleshooting of multiparameter sondes, turbidity meters, DO probes, pH/conductivity meters, and autosamplers.
  • Flow and discharge measurement techniques (wading rod, current meter, ADCP) and cross‑section surveying.
  • Biological sampling and identification skills (benthic macroinvertebrates, habitat assessments, riffle/pool surveys).
  • GIS mapping and spatial analysis using ArcGIS Pro, ArcMap, or QGIS (feature editing, geodatabase updates, map production).
  • Data entry, QA/QC, and basic data analysis in Excel (pivot tables, formulas), and familiarity with LIMS or environmental databases.
  • Sample handling, preservation, and shipping protocols for environmental laboratories, and communication with third‑party labs.
  • Knowledge of stormwater regulations and permits (NPDES, municipal stormwater programs), BMP inspections, and erosion control practices.
  • Field GPS/GNSS operation and spatial data collection, including accuracy checks and coordinate transformations.
  • Basic understanding of hydrology and watershed processes, and experience supporting H&H model inputs (HEC‑RAS, SWMM) or reporting needs.
  • Experience with telemetry/download of remote loggers and time‑series data handling (pressure transducers, sondes).
  • Safety certifications and procedures: OSHA 10/30, HAZWOPER (24/40 hr preferred), first aid/CPR, boat operator or small craft safety where applicable.
  • Proficiency with field documentation tools: mobile data collection apps (Collector for ArcGIS, Survey123, Fulcrum), digital cameras, and field tablets.

Soft Skills

  • Strong written communication and technical report writing for regulators, partners, and the public.
  • Excellent attention to detail and commitment to data integrity, chain‑of‑custody, and QA/QC processes.
  • Effective oral communication and stakeholder engagement skills for interactions with the public, contractors, and regulatory agencies.
  • Problem‑solving and troubleshooting aptitude in dynamic field conditions.
  • Ability to work independently in the field while coordinating with multidisciplinary teams.
  • Time management and organizational skills to balance multiple monitoring schedules and seasonal priorities.
  • Team leadership and mentoring experience working with seasonal staff or volunteer groups.
  • Adaptability to changing weather, schedules, and urgent response assignments (spills, floods).
  • Customer service orientation and professionalism when responding to public inquiries and community events.
  • Commitment to safety culture, including consistent PPE use, hazard recognition, and incident reporting.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Associate degree or technical certificate in Environmental Science, Biology, Hydrology, Natural Resources, or related field OR equivalent combination of education and relevant field experience.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Hydrology, Water Resources, Civil/Environmental Engineering, Ecology, or related discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Environmental Science
  • Hydrology / Water Resources
  • Biology / Aquatic Ecology
  • Civil or Environmental Engineering
  • Natural Resources / Watershed Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–5 years of relevant field monitoring, sampling, or environmental compliance experience.

Preferred:

  • 2–4 years of progressive experience in water quality monitoring, stormwater inspections, or environmental field programs.
  • Demonstrated experience with GIS mapping, laboratory coordination, and NPDES/stormwater program support.
  • Certifications such as HAZWOPER (24/40‑hour), OSHA 10/30, CESCL, boating/USCG small craft operator, and first aid/CPR are highly desirable.
  • Valid driver’s license and a clean driving record; ability to operate program vehicles, boats, and trailers as required.

If you are hiring: This job description is optimized to attract candidates with practical field sampling experience, strong data QA/QC skills, GIS proficiency, and regulatory awareness. Include keywords such as "water quality monitoring," "field sampling," "NPDES," "GIS mapping," "ADCP/wading rod," and "chain‑of‑custody" in your posting to improve discoverability by applicants and applicant tracking systems.

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