Field Technician-Watershed Management

This program provides students with the concepts, methods, and applications of field work in watershed management and hydrology. Watershed program categories include the conservation of floodplains, invasive species, river restoration/bank stabilization and limiting nonpoint source pollutants. Also, students will be prepared to perform basic tasks in hydrology, such as quality sample collection, data retrieval from stream gages, and surveying, by using standard fieldwork methods, and GIS field applications to collect, store and interpret data. Emphasis is on techniques in data collection by following industry protocols for proper collection of reliable data, and quality assurance procedures. In addition to performing field work, the technicians will complete tasks such as compilation of review of collected data, database management, and data analysis, in collaboration with or in support of certified professionals.

Students who complete this program may get entry-level jobs as field technicians in in a multitude of job settings, in government, agencies, such as Fish and Wildlife, Water Resources, utility companies, and federal agencies including Environmental Protection, Geological Survey, and National Parks and private industry.

Students who complete this program should be able to:

1. Acquire knowledge and skills in watershed management and perform tasks in conservation of floodplains, control invasive species, river restoration/bank stabilization and limiting nonpoint source pollutants.
2. Acquire the knowledge and skills for field work in hydrology, such as performing measurements of water level, stage and discharge; collect and prepare samples for lab analysis and verify accuracy of data; check water quality parameters in streams, lakes or groundwater.
3. Comprehend and apply fundamental concepts and practices of field data collection, data storage, and manipulation by using Web GIS technologies.
4. Document data collection activities and assess data for accuracy and completeness.
5. Effectively communicate, and present projects’ results in oral, written, and graphic forms

Required courses