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Beaver Watershed Alliance Job Description
Title: Stream Barrier Assessment (SARP) Crew Member
Temporary Support/Workforce Development Opportunity (approximately 10 hours per week)
Location: Northwest Arkansas (Office location 162 Doolin Dr., Elkins, AR)
Starting Date: January 15, 2025
End Date: May 15, 2025*
*Availability for Spring 2025, opportunities for Summer 2025, Fall 2025
About the Beaver Watershed Alliance
The mission of Beaver Watershed Alliance (Alliance) is to proactively protect, enhance and sustain water quality in Beaver Lake and the integrity of its watershed. The Alliance is a 501c3 nonprofit organized for the purpose of working on voluntary and education programs and projects, fostering communication among diverse stakeholders, and restoring the water quality of impaired stream and lake areas. The objective of the Alliance is to maintain a long-term, high-quality drinking water supply to meet the present needs and continuing growth of the Northwest Arkansas region.
As a science-based organization, we develop innovative, on-the-ground solutions and engage multiple communities to address local challenges in watershed management in the Northwest Arkansas region. Our work is focused on Source Water Protection efforts for Beaver Lake, our drinking water source for now 1 in 5 Arkansans, or over 550,000 residents. Our work is guided by the Beaver Lake Watershed Protection Strategy, a US EPA accepted plan. Our values are centered on a commitment to sustainable, high-quality water supplies, diversity and respect for all people, communities, and cultures and serving the Northwest Arkansas region to the best of our ability.
Stream Barrier Assessment Crew Member Overview
Join the team to survey stream barriers across the Beaver Lake watershed! This work supports the Beaver Watershed Alliance grant award with Arkansas Department of Agriculture – Natural Resources Division for project titled, “Beaver Lake Watershed Streambank Erosion & Barrier Assessment, Stream Restoration Design, Implementation and Outreach for Watershed Planning.”
Project Background:
The need to remove outdated barriers, such as dams and stream crossings, is a common issue throughout the United States (Grant 2001; Stanely and Doyle 2003). Aging barriers and inadequately designed road crossings exert detrimental effects on streams in numerous ways. These physical barriers negatively impact water quality by impounding water and disrupting natural river connectivity, leading to alterations in sediment dynamics, local geomorphology, and flow regimes (Bednarek 2001). Efforts are ongoing for stream barrier inventory across the state, however, for the Beaver Lake watershed, a prioritized classification of barriers with additional information to add to current prioritization methods are needed to steer efforts for removal or modification. A detailed analysis and inventory of stream barriers, including dams, weirs, and improperly designed culverts, will allow for a comprehensive inventory. Classifying barriers based on their impact on fish migration, miles of waterways connected and additional classifications such as feasibility for restoration, will support prioritizing removal or modification efforts and provide data to existing barrier removal groups for consideration in regional prioritization methodology.
Project crew members will focus on the following activities:
- Assist Alliance staff in surveying stream barriers along 3rd order streams in the Beaver Lake watershed.
- Crew members will be trained to conduct SARP surveys and upload data to SARP database.
- Assessments will determine mileage of stream opened if barrier was removed/restored, the impact on Species of Greatest Need (SGCN), and a visual assessment of stream erosion around the
- barriers. This information will contribute to the development of an enhanced prioritization methodology.
- Assist Alliance staff on developing criteria to enhance the prioritization of barrier removals.
- Assessment of erosion around barriers, riparian plant community structures, and additional characteristics of barrier locations.
- Provide support for data analysis, surveys and summarizing results.
- Some of these activities will require a physical ability to lift, carry, push/pull natural objects, and stoop/bend to install features, and sit at a computer. Training and appropriate PPE will be provided.
- For the safety of crew members, at least two crew members will be required to conduct surveys together in the field at any given time.
Basic Education & Skills Requirements:
- Education or knowledge of Natural Resources, Biology, Environmental Science, Hydrology, Horticulture/Forestry, Soils
- Knowledge of watersheds, best management practices, water quality and natural resource management, knowledge of NWA region a plus
- Ability to work outside, sometimes in adverse weather conditions
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time
- Valid Driver license / Good driving record
- Reliable transportation
- Ability to drive to remote locations
- Ability to travel and work independently of direct supervision
- Interest in water quality issues in Northwest Arkansas
- Computer and software literate; Ability to use Microsoft Word, Excel, etc…
- Strong phone/email management skills required
The Mission of the Beaver Watershed Alliance is to proactively protect, enhance and sustain the water quality of Beaver Lake and the integrity of its watershed through outreach and education, voluntary best management practice implementation, and scientific investigation.
For more information about the Beaver Watershed Alliance please visit www.beaverwatershedalliance.org.
Pay & Additional Benefits
-Hourly rate of $17/hour, tracked on BWA timesheet.
- Up to 40 hours per month
- Approximately 10 hours per week, with flexibility
- Mileage reimbursement will be provided at the federal rate
Schedule
- Conduct assessments up to 40 hours per month
- Flexible scheduling
Internship Application Details
This is considered an hourly, seasonal position. Health care and retirement benefits will not be provided for this position. Mileage reimbursement will be provided at the federal mileage rate. The position will be covered by Workers’ Compensation insurance.
Submit your application/resume to:
Becky Roark, Executive Director
Beaver Watershed Alliance
162 Doolin Dr. | P.O. Box 762
Elkins, AR 72727
becky@beaverwatershedalliance.org
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until positions are filled.
