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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Wetland Program Assistant

💰 $ - $

EnvironmentalConservationEcologyWetlandsGIS

🎯 Role Definition

The Wetland Program Assistant supports wetland protection, monitoring, restoration, and regulatory compliance work by conducting field surveys and sample collection, maintaining monitoring equipment and databases, preparing technical documentation, supporting permit and grant activities, and coordinating with stakeholders and volunteers. This role blends hands-on fieldwork (vegetation and hydrology surveys, invasive species control, planting, sample collection) with data management (GIS mapping, data entry, QA/QC) and outreach (public education, volunteer coordination, interagency communications).

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Field Technician / Environmental Field Assistant
  • Environmental Science Intern or Research Assistant
  • Natural Resources Technician

Advancement To:

  • Wetland Specialist / Wetland Ecologist
  • Restoration Project Coordinator / Habitat Restoration Specialist
  • Environmental Compliance Specialist or Permit Coordinator

Lateral Moves:

  • GIS Technician (Environmental/GIS mapping)
  • Water Quality Technician
  • Conservation Outreach Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Conduct routine wetland delineations and delineation updates using jurisdictional wetlands methods (e.g., Corps of Engineers wetland delineation guidance) and document hydrology, soils, and vegetation observations in field notebooks and digital forms.
  • Perform seasonal vegetation surveys and plant community assessments, identifying native and invasive species, estimating percent cover, and preparing species lists for monitoring plots and restoration sites.
  • Collect water, soil, and sediment samples according to approved sampling protocols (chain-of-custody, sterilization, field blanks), coordinate sample shipment to analytical laboratories, and record metadata for QA/QC.
  • Operate handheld GPS/GNSS units and survey equipment to map wetland boundaries, sampling locations, transects, and restoration features; capture accurate spatial data for import into ArcGIS/QGIS.
  • Maintain and calibrate field equipment, including water quality sondes, turbidity meters, dissolved oxygen meters, level loggers, and automatic samplers; troubleshoot equipment issues and perform routine repairs.
  • Enter, clean, and manage monitoring datasets in spreadsheets and environmental databases; perform basic statistical summaries and prepare data for GIS visualization and technical reporting.
  • Prepare clear, concise technical reports, memos, monitoring summaries, and permit support documents that describe methods, results, and recommended actions for wetlands programs, grant deliverables, and regulatory submissions.
  • Assist with the development and implementation of wetland monitoring plans, restoration planting plans, and adaptive management actions informed by data analysis and project objectives.
  • Support invasive species detection and control activities, including coordination of mechanical removal, herbicide application under supervision, and follow-up monitoring to evaluate treatment effectiveness.
  • Participate in planting events, site preparation, erosion control installation, and contractor oversight for restoration and mitigation projects to ensure compliance with restoration plans and permit conditions.
  • Coordinate with federal, state, tribal, and local regulatory agencies on permit compliance, reporting requirements, and site inspections; prepare documentation to support Clean Water Act Section 404/401 or state wetland permitting as needed.
  • Assist with grant administration and reporting, including preparation of grant deliverables, tracking milestones, managing budgets at the task level, and collecting documentation required for invoicing and audits.
  • Conduct or support biological monitoring such as amphibian, macroinvertebrate, or bird surveys associated with wetland function assessments; document observations and integrate results into monitoring databases.
  • Lead and train volunteers and seasonal staff for field data collection, safety protocols, plant identification, and invasive species management; prepare field training materials and safety briefings.
  • Manage field logistics for multiple projects, including scheduling site access, coordinating landowner permissions, securing required safety and PPE, and arranging vehicles, boats, or ATVs where applicable.
  • Provide community outreach and public education through field tours, workshop presentations, signage, and informational materials to increase public awareness of wetland functions, restoration outcomes, and regulatory processes.
  • Assist with as-built documentation and long-term monitoring of mitigation/restoration sites, ensuring performance standards are measured, recorded, and reported in accordance with mitigation agreements.
  • Conduct quality assurance and quality control checks on data, photos, and GIS layers; document corrective actions and ensure datasets meet project-specific and agency QA/QC standards.
  • Support emergency response and rapid assessment for wetland impacts or pollutant spills by collecting preliminary data, documenting site conditions, and liaising with response agencies.
  • Maintain accurate administrative records including field logs, permit files, as-built drawings, equipment inventories, and training records to support program continuity and regulatory compliance.
  • Draft and update standard operating procedures (SOPs) for field sampling, safety, biosecurity, and data management to standardize methods across staff and seasonal teams.
  • Review and synthesize scientific literature and monitoring results to inform best-practice restoration techniques, vegetation palettes, and hydrologic reconnection strategies.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist with GIS map production and spatial analyses to support grant proposals, public-facing dashboards, and compliance reports; produce maps that visualize monitoring results, restoration footprints, and affected watersheds.
  • Support the organization's data management efforts by standardizing metadata, developing file-naming conventions, and contributing to the creation of centralized, searchable monitoring databases.
  • Participate in interdisciplinary planning meetings and contribute ecological and field-based input into project scoping, budgets, and timelines.
  • Help prepare public-facing content such as restoration project summaries, web content, social media posts, and educational handouts that highlight wetland benefits, ecosystem services, and volunteer opportunities.
  • Assist program managers with procurement processes for field supplies, equipment rentals, and contractor services; track invoices and support fiscal documentation for projects.
  • Participate in periodic performance reviews of monitoring programs, helping to identify opportunities for improved methods, increased efficiency, or expanded monitoring metrics.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Wetland delineation and jurisdictional wetland assessment (Corps of Engineers methodology and regional/state-specific delineation protocols).
  • Plant identification (wetland indicator species, native wetland flora, and common invasive plants) and vegetation sampling methods (transects, quadrats, percent cover estimation).
  • Water quality and sediment sampling techniques, including use of sondes, turbidity meters, field chemistry kits, and chain-of-custody procedures.
  • GIS mapping and spatial analysis (ArcGIS Pro, ArcMap, QGIS); experience producing maps and geodatabases for monitoring and reporting.
  • GPS/GNSS data collection and post-processing for sub-meter to meter-level accuracy; familiarity with Trimble, Garmin, or similar units.
  • Data entry, data cleaning, basic statistical summaries, and visualization using Excel, R, Python, or data visualization tools.
  • Field equipment maintenance and calibration (sondes, reference electrodes, level loggers, flow meters).
  • Technical report writing, memo preparation, and creation of permit and grant deliverables with attention to detail and adherence to agency formats.
  • Knowledge of relevant environmental regulations and permitting processes (Clean Water Act Section 404/401, state wetland laws) and experience supporting permit compliance.
  • Restoration planting and invasive species control techniques, revegetation planning, and monitoring for performance standards.
  • Chain-of-custody and laboratory sample coordination; basic understanding of QA/QC documentation for environmental data.
  • Boat operation, ATV/UTV operation, or other field-access vehicle experience where applicable; valid driver’s license and safe driving record.
  • Familiarity with restoration design documents, as-built reporting, and long-term monitoring plan implementation.
  • Basic grant administration skills: tracking deliverables, budgets, and reporting requirements for publicly funded projects.

Soft Skills

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills for technical writing, stakeholder engagement, and public outreach.
  • Attention to detail and strong organizational skills to manage concurrent monitoring tasks, permits, and documentation.
  • Teamwork and collaboration skills to work with interdisciplinary teams including scientists, engineers, contractors, volunteers, and regulatory agencies.
  • Problem-solving and field decision-making under changing weather, access, or site conditions.
  • Initiative and flexibility to adapt to seasonal field schedules, multi-site workflows, and evolving project priorities.
  • Ability to train, supervise, and motivate volunteers and seasonal staff in safe and standardized field methods.
  • Cultural sensitivity and diplomacy when working with landowners, tribal partners, and community stakeholders.
  • Time management and prioritization skills to meet grant deadlines and monitoring season windows.
  • Commitment to safety protocols, risk assessment, and PPE use in remote and variable field conditions.
  • Customer-service orientation when responding to public inquiries, landowner coordination, and interagency communication.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Associate degree in Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology, Natural Resources, or closely related field, plus relevant field experience; OR
  • Bachelor’s degree in progress or equivalent combination of education and practical field experience.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Ecology, Biology, Natural Resources Management, Wetland Science, or a related discipline.
  • Coursework or certificates in wetland ecology, GIS, hydrology, or restoration ecology.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Environmental Science
  • Ecology / Wetland Ecology
  • Biology / Plant Ecology
  • Natural Resources Management
  • Hydrology / Watershed Science
  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0–3 years of relevant field and data experience; many entry-level positions accept 0–1 year with strong coursework and internship experience. Seasonal and full-time positions commonly require prior fieldwork or internship experience.

Preferred: 1–3 years of experience in wetland monitoring, ecological surveys, restoration implementation, or environmental compliance; demonstrated experience with wetland delineation, GIS mapping, and sample collection protocols preferred. Certifications such as HAZWOPER (if working near contaminated sites), First Aid/CPR, boating safety, or pesticide applicator license (if performing herbicide work) are a plus.

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