Watershed Restoration Specialist

About the role

SWWD is a local, special purpose unit of government that works to protect and restore the water resources of southern Washington County, including the Woodbury Lakes, Ravine Lake, Trout Brook, Lake St. Croix, and the Mississippi River. SWWD is a small organization doing big things in partnership with its Cities and Washington County. Examples of recent work include restoration of Hasenbank Woods and Bailey School Forest, prairie and savanna establishment at Hasenbank Stormwater Park, Seasons Park, and Kargel Park, and ongoing maintenance of prairies at school campuses across the District and at SWWD’s 250‑acre Glacial Valley Park. The District has been recognized for its recent work by Minnesota Watersheds and the Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership. All of its work is undertaken with adaptation and resiliency in mind. This is an exciting time to join SWWD as it begins implementation of a new 10‑year Watershed Management Plan that prioritizes growing the District’s natural resource protection and restoration programs.

Responsibilities

• Implement and coordinate prescribed natural resource management activities.
• Perform hands‑on work such as mowing, mechanical and chemical weed control, seeding and planting.
• Manage and coordinate work by contractors.
• Conduct ecological surveys.
• Collaborate with SWWD staff to develop natural resource plans.
• Lead SWWD’s Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) and Aquatic Vegetation Restoration efforts, including coordination with MnDNR staff, District partners, consultants, and contractors.
• Support planning and implementation under SWWD’s other program areas.

Requirements

• Comfortable and confident operating hand tools and small equipment.
• Strong plant identification skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a small team.
• Experience engaging partners and collaborators.
• Willingness to work with the SWWD team to implement natural and aquatic resource protection, restoration, and climate adaptation efforts.
• Interest in pursuing innovation in watershed management through adaptive management to identify new projects, strategies, and partnerships.