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Watershed Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Project Engineer

Denver, CO

$48.25 - $59.25/hr

Develop hydrologic and hydraulic models for storm drain, watershed, floodplain, pump station, and flood control projects. * Build, calibrate, validate, and maintain engineering models using ...

Load Coordinator

Greeley, CO · On-site

$59K - $63K/yr

Description Position at JBS USA Load Coordinator Purpose and Scope/General Summary: We are looking for a Load Coordinator to join our Pork team at JBS Corporate Headquarters in Greeley, CO! The Load ...

Project Engineer

Arvada, CO · On-site

$48.25 - $59.25/hr

Develop hydrologic and hydraulic models for storm drain, watershed, floodplain, pump station, and flood control projects. * Build, calibrate, validate, and maintain engineering models using ...

Project Engineer

Arvada, CO · On-site

$48.25 - $59.25/hr

Develop hydrologic and hydraulic models for storm drain, watershed, floodplain, pump station, and flood control projects. * Build, calibrate, validate, and maintain engineering models using ...

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Showing results 1-20

Watershed information

See Colorado salary details

$10

$26

$36

How much do watershed jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for watershed in Colorado is $26.78, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.24 and $31.11 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a watershed manager?

Watershed managers are professionals responsible for overseeing, protecting, and restoring the health of watersheds, which are land areas that drain into a common waterway. They work to maintain water quality, manage resources, and coordinate efforts among local agencies, landowners, and the public. Their duties often include monitoring water conditions, developing conservation plans, educating communities, and implementing policies to prevent pollution and flooding. Watershed managers play a crucial role in ensuring sustainable water supplies and healthy ecosystems for both people and wildlife.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a watershed manager?

To thrive as a Watershed Manager, you need expertise in environmental science, hydrology, and resource management, typically supported by a relevant degree such as environmental engineering or ecology. Familiarity with GIS software, water quality monitoring tools, and regulatory compliance systems is essential. Strong analytical thinking, stakeholder communication, and project management skills help set standout professionals apart. These skills ensure effective stewardship of water resources, compliance with regulations, and successful collaboration among diverse groups for sustainable watershed management.

What are some common challenges faced by watershed coordinators when managing community engagement initiatives?

Watershed coordinators often encounter challenges such as balancing the diverse interests of stakeholders, addressing conflicting land use priorities, and ensuring sustained community participation. Coordinating between local government agencies, landowners, and environmental groups requires strong communication and conflict-resolution skills. Building trust and maintaining engagement can be time-consuming, but it is vital for successful watershed management and long-term environmental impact.

What is the difference between Watershed vs Hydrologist?

AspectWatershedHydrologist
Required credentialsEnvironmental science, geology, or related degrees; certifications varyEnvironmental science, geology, or related degrees; often with hydrology certifications
Work environmentFieldwork in watersheds, environmental agencies, consulting firmsResearch labs, government agencies, consulting firms
Employer and industry usageEnvironmental agencies, conservation organizations, consulting firmsGovernment agencies, research institutions, consulting firms

Watershed professionals focus on managing and protecting specific watershed areas, often involving fieldwork and environmental planning. Hydrologists analyze water movement, distribution, and quality, often conducting research and data analysis. While both roles work within environmental sectors and require similar educational backgrounds, Watershed specialists emphasize watershed management, whereas Hydrologists focus on water science and data analysis.

What are the most commonly searched types of Watershed jobs in Colorado?

The most popular types of Watershed jobs in Colorado are:

What are popular job titles related to Watershed jobs in Colorado?

For Watershed jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Colorado are hiring for Watershed jobs?

Cities in Colorado with the most Watershed job openings:

Infographic showing various Watershed job openings in Colorado as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, and 15% Part Time. Highlights an 86% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $55,712 per year, or $26.8 per hour.

Manager for the Northwest Area

Steamboat Springs, CO • On-site


Colorado State University
Education • 5 - 10K employees

6.9

Company rating: 6.9 out of 10

Based on 50 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

466th of 627 rated colleges and universities

Recommended by students

Paid breaks

Respectful managers


$80K - $85K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 2 days ago


Job description

Job Description

Under the direction of the Associate Director of Forestry Services, the Area Manager leads and manages an integrated, geographically dispersed team to deliver CSFS programs and services within an assigned Area. The role directs program implementation, interagency partnerships, and applied, science based forest management to achieve agency priorities. Area Managers have responsibility for the operations and the staff out of 3-6 field offices and satellite offices and are the direct supervisor for Supervisory Foresters.


Essential Job Duties :
  • Lead Area operations and program delivery: set priorities, goals, and targets aligned with CSFS strategic direction; develop annual and longrange work plans; ensure consistent delivery across field offices.
  • Supervise and develop staff (typically 3-7 Administrative Professional personnel, 1-3 State Classified personnel and 1-5 student/hourly employees); establish expectations, conduct performance reviews, mentor, and ensure a safe working environment.
  • Manage Area budgets and fiscal practices; ensure adherence to CSU/CSFS financial policies; track and report accomplishments/expenditures; ensure grants and service agreements are planned, implemented, certified, and reimbursed to agency standards.
  • Oversee Area infrastructure-facilities, vehicles, equipment, and IT/GIS tools-to maintain safe, reliable, and compliant operations.
  • Represent CSFS with local, county, state, and federal officials; cultivate partnerships; communicate Area and Agency priorities and outcomes.
  • Guide staff on professional forestry services (forest management, watershed protection, wildfire mitigation, hazardous fuels, community forestry, outreach); review reports and geospatial data to inform adaptive management.
  • Serve on the CSFS Management Team to coordinate problem solving, budgeting, operating procedures, and resource allocation across program areas.
  • Other related duties.

Supervision:

This position will supervise Administrative Professional personnel (typically 3-7 FTE); 1-3 State Classified personnel staff as appropriate; oversight of student/hourly staff (1-5).


Conditions of Employment:
  • Irregular work hours and periodic long days, evening and weekend service, occasional off-area and periodic overnight travel.
  • Must have a valid driver's license or the ability to obtain a driver's license or access to a licensed driver by the employment start date.

Minimum Qualifications:
  • A bachelor's degree (or greater) in forestry, another natural resources program or related degree will be considered.
  • Eight (8)+ years of professional forestry experience (e.g., forest ecology/silviculture/management/planning; watershed protection; wildfire mitigation and fuels reduction).

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Four (4)+ years of progressively responsible administrative/program/project management experience in a natural resources environment.
  • Demonstrated experience managing complex program or field-office portfolios, including annual and long-range work planning, staff and resource allocation, multi-source budgets, grants, contracts, agreements, reporting, compliance, and quality control.
  • Knowledge of forest management, forest health, wildfire mitigation, hazardous fuels, watershed protection, and community forestry; ability to provide applied, sciencebased guidance.
  • Strong communication and partnership skills with local/state/federal officials, cooperators, and stakeholders.
  • Demonstrated ability to oversee technical forestry program quality across multiple employees and projects, including reviewing work products, ensuring consistency with agency standards, approving technical approaches within delegated authority, and knowing when to elevate policy, personnel, technical, or interagency issues to senior leadership.
  • Proven ability to interpret senior agency leadership direction and apply it appropriately to unique local or regional situations, including complex staffing, partner, operational, technical, political, or community issues.
  • Demonstrated experience with employee performance management, including coaching, giving clear feedback, addressing performance concerns, supporting professional development, and helping employees improve technical, communication, judgment, or project-management skills through guidance, mentoring, training, or appropriate outside support.

This position will be based out of Grand Junction, Steamboat Springs, Gould, or Granby, Colorado.

Salary Range$80,000 - $85,000Required Application Documents

To apply, please upload the following applicant documents. Ensure your materials fully address the required and preferred job qualifications of the position. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Cover Letter, Resume/CV Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it's a thriving community that's transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance,CSUis where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

  • Review our detailed benefits information here.

  • Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.

  • For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator.

  • Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations,CSUconducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

EEO

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.


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About Colorado State University

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Colorado State University is one of the nation’s top public Tier 1 Research universities and an institution on the rise. Our Ram success is driven by an ambition to be excellent in all we do combined with an unparalleled location that is one of the fastest-growing and most vibrant areas in the country. CSU is a higher education destination for working and learning for faculty, staff, and students from across Colorado, the nation, and around the globe. CSU has produced record enrollment in the past decade, built on all-time highs in student diversity and student success, experienced record fundraising and research expenditures that keep hitting new highs year-after-year, and our faculty are known nationally and internationally for their groundbreaking research. Among other recognition for research and creative scholarship, CSU was recognized in 2022 as one of 10 top research institutions in the world contributing to solving the COVID pandemic. CSU is thriving, with a five-year average enrollment of more than 33,400 students. The record-setting 2022 incoming class of 5,517 students reflects 25% from diverse populations and 24% who were first in their families to attend college. CSU graduates find success with 85% securing a job related to their career plans within six months of graduation. More than nine out of 10 Rams would select CSU again, demonstrating the quality of the campus and learning environments.

Industry

Education

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Fort Collins, CO, US

Year founded

1870

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Benefits

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