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Job Description
Regional position based in or within reasonable daily commuting distance of the assigned California service region. Current hiring priorities include the North Sierra/Eastern Sierra region and the Sonoma/Mendocino region. This is an in-person, field-based role. Regular project site presence and travel to residential, commercial, school, public, and community project sites are required. This is not a remote position. Watershed Progressive is hiring a Water Resource Field Specialist I/II to support hands-on installation of water-resource, ecological landscape, greywater, stormwater, rainwater, irrigation, and native planting projects. This role advances WP's mission of connecting communities with their watersheds through integrated strategies for a healthy, resilient future. This is a physically active outdoor field position. The majority of the workday is spent on project sites performing landscape installation and construction-related labor, including digging, trenching, wheelbarrowing soil, mulch, cobble, compost, and other materials, removing turf, grading soil, planting native plants, shrubs, and trees, installing irrigation components, assisting with greywater and stormwater systems, moving tools and materials, and maintaining clean and safe job sites. This role is best suited for someone who is comfortable working outdoors for most of the day, in changing weather and site conditions, while performing repetitive physical labor as part of a field crew.
GENERAL JOB DUTIES
Field Installation & Physical Labor Assist with installation of greywater, stormwater, rainwater, irrigation, Low Impact Design, ecological landscape, and green infrastructure projects at residential, commercial, school, public, and community-based project sites. Perform hands-on landscape installation and site preparation, including digging, trenching, turf removal, soil preparation, grading support, cobble placement, mulch installation, planting, irrigation installation, and general field labor. Plant native and climate-appropriate plants, shrubs, and trees according to project plans and field direction. Load, unload, carry, move, wheelbarrow, and organize tools, plants, soil amendments, irrigation materials, pipe, cobble, mulch, and other project materials. Use hand tools and small power tools safely and appropriately, including shovels, rakes, trenching tools, wheelbarrows, compactors, drills, saws, and other landscape installation tools as assigned. Assist with installation of greywater, stormwater, rainwater, irrigation, and water-resource systems under the direction of project leads, designers, supervisors, or other qualified staff. Job Site Safety, Tools & Team Support Maintain safe, clean, organized job sites, tools, vehicles, and materials. Follow project plans, field instructions, safety expectations, PPE requirements, and daily task direction. Work outdoors for the majority of the day in varying site and weather conditions. Communicate clearly with supervisors and crew members regarding progress, site conditions, material needs, safety concerns, and project challenges. Support interns, CCC crews, volunteers, or other partner groups when assigned. Field Documentation & Community Support Support data collection, site notes, photos, field documentation, and basic project reporting as needed. Participate in occasional education, outreach, or community-based project activities when needed. Use WP communication and documentation systems to share project updates, photos, site notes, and field information as assigned.
LEVEL II ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Lead small field crews or task groups during installation work and model safe, productive field practices. Train and support team members, interns, CCC crews, volunteers, or partner crews in safe and effective field practices. Interpret project plans, sketches, planting plans, irrigation layouts, field notes, and installation details. Support adaptive field decisions related to grading, drainage, planting, irrigation, stormwater flow, and site conditions. Assist with material takeoffs, field measurements, site assessments, installation planning, and quality control for assigned field tasks. Communicate field changes, site conditions, constructability concerns, or material needs to designers, drafters, engineers, supervisors, or project leads.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work outdoors for extended periods in sun, heat, cold, wind, rain, dust, uneven terrain, and active construction or landscape installation environments. Stand, walk, bend, kneel, squat, reach, lift, carry, push, pull, dig, shovel, rake, trench, and wheelbarrow materials throughout the workday. Safely move soil, mulch, compost, cobble, plants, irrigation materials, tools, and other landscape construction materials. Perform repetitive physical tasks for extended periods and use hand tools, small power tools, and landscape installation equipment safely. Regularly lift and carry up to 50 pounds with or without reasonable accommodation. Travel to project sites as assigned and maintain reliable attendance for scheduled field work.
Job Type:
Full-time Pay:
$25.00 - $30.00 per hour
Benefits:
401(k) matching Flexible schedule Life insurance Paid time off Professional development assistance
Experience:
Planting native plants: 1 year (Required) Outdoor work: 1 year (Preferred) Willingness to travel: 100% (Required)
