Explore the Water Quality Monitoring Manager role at Nature Forward. Learn about this hybrid conservation job focused on community science, volunteer coordination, water monitoring programs, and environmental outreach.
Introduction
Protecting freshwater ecosystems requires both scientific expertise and strong community engagement. Environmental organizations across the world increasingly rely on community science programs to collect critical environmental data while empowering citizens to participate in conservation efforts.
One such opportunity exists with Nature Forward, which is seeking a Water Quality Monitoring (WQM) Manager to lead its community-based water monitoring initiatives. This full-time hybrid role, combining remote work with activities based in Woodend, offers professionals the chance to work at the intersection of environmental science, volunteer coordination, and public outreach.
With a salary range of $52,313–$57,000, the position sits within the organization’s Conservation Department and reports directly to the Director of Conservation.
Applications are open until March 11, 2026.
Supporting Community Science for Water Protection
The Water Quality Monitoring Manager plays a central role in managing Nature Forward’s community science water monitoring program, which involves adults, families, and volunteers who help collect data about stream health.
Community science—also known as citizen science—has become a powerful approach in conservation. It allows environmental organizations to gather large datasets across wide geographic areas while simultaneously educating the public about ecological issues.
In this role, the manager provides strategic direction for monitoring programs that track aquatic ecosystem health, particularly through the study of benthic macroinvertebrates—small aquatic organisms such as insect larvae and crustaceans that serve as indicators of water quality.
By studying these organisms, conservation scientists can determine whether streams are healthy, polluted, or undergoing ecological stress.
Managing a Large Volunteer Monitoring Network
One of the most important responsibilities of the WQM Manager is coordinating a large network of volunteers. The program involves more than 200 community volunteers, each of whom contributes to monitoring stream conditions in different locations.
The manager is responsible for:
- Recruiting and onboarding new volunteers
- Organizing volunteers into monitoring teams
- Maintaining up-to-date volunteer databases
- Providing technical support to team leaders
- Ensuring volunteers feel welcomed and supported
Training is another critical component of volunteer coordination. The manager implements training and certification requirements for both volunteers and team leaders. This may involve teaching courses directly or contracting instructors to deliver specialized training sessions.
By maintaining a well-trained volunteer network, the program ensures that collected data meets scientific standards.
Overseeing Stream Monitoring Operations
Beyond volunteer management, the role also involves technical oversight of stream monitoring operations.
The Water Quality Monitoring Manager manages a portfolio of monitoring sites across multiple streams. Responsibilities include identifying new monitoring locations, ensuring permits remain current, and preparing field equipment before each monitoring season.
Following fieldwork activities, the manager also checks and maintains equipment used by volunteer teams.
Because water quality monitoring relies on consistent and reliable data collection, maintaining standardized protocols and procedures is essential.
Ensuring Data Quality and Scientific Accuracy
Environmental data must meet strict quality standards in order to be useful for researchers, policymakers, and government agencies.
The WQM Manager therefore implements Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement protocols to maintain the monitoring program at a Tier 2 level, which indicates a recognized level of data reliability and methodological rigor.
Data collected through monitoring activities is carefully managed and reported to:
- Government agencies responsible for environmental protection
- Partner organizations involved in watershed conservation
- Members of the public interested in local environmental health
In addition, the manager maintains the program’s benthic macroinvertebrate specimen database, coordinating the identification of new specimens and updating taxonomic records when necessary.
Managing the Creek Critters Mobile App
A unique feature of the role is the management of Creek Critters, a smartphone application that supports environmental monitoring and public engagement.
Creek Critters helps users identify aquatic organisms and understand what those organisms reveal about water quality.
The Water Quality Monitoring Manager works with external technical providers to maintain and improve the app. Responsibilities include coordinating software updates, monitoring performance metrics, and exploring ways to integrate the app with the organization’s broader water monitoring initiatives.
The manager also collaborates with Izaak Walton League of America, a national conservation organization that partners with Nature Forward to expand the app’s user base and maintain connections with the Clean Water Hub, an online platform dedicated to watershed protection.
Driving Environmental Outreach and Public Engagement
In addition to technical program management, the WQM Manager contributes to broader conservation outreach initiatives.
Working closely with environmental education and advocacy teams, the manager helps develop events, campaigns, and educational programs focused on stream ecology and water protection.
A key priority is reaching new and diverse audiences. By engaging communities that may not traditionally participate in environmental initiatives, Nature Forward aims to build a more inclusive conservation movement.
The role also involves building partnerships with community organizations, educational institutions, and environmental groups to strengthen collaborative conservation efforts.
Supporting Grants and Program Funding
Like many nonprofit conservation initiatives, Nature Forward’s monitoring programs rely on grants and external funding.
The Water Quality Monitoring Manager assists with:
- Preparing grant proposals
- Managing grant-funded projects
- Tracking program outcomes
- Preparing reports for funders
By helping secure funding and demonstrating program impact, the manager contributes to the long-term sustainability of Nature Forward’s conservation initiatives.
Required Qualifications and Skills
Candidates interested in the role must have a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as environmental science, ecology, biology, or natural resource management. Equivalent professional experience may also be considered.
Applicants should also have:
- At least two years of experience managing volunteers and teaching
- Experience developing or implementing water quality monitoring protocols
- Knowledge of quality assurance plans for environmental monitoring
- Experience using the Salesforce database system
- Familiarity with smartphone applications and working with software developers
These qualifications ensure the candidate can manage both the scientific and operational aspects of the program.
Additional Preferred Skills
While not mandatory, several additional qualifications are considered valuable.
These include:
- Understanding of stream ecology, hydrology, and physical stream systems
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Experience using Microsoft Office tools such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
- Familiarity with project management platforms
- Experience with design tools such as **Canva and **Adobe Photoshop
These skills help candidates effectively communicate scientific findings, manage program logistics, and support outreach initiatives.
Physical Requirements of Fieldwork
Because the role includes field monitoring activities, candidates must be comfortable working in outdoor environments.
Physical requirements include:
- Hiking across uneven terrain
- Carrying equipment weighing up to 30 pounds
- Balancing on slippery rocks in stream environments
- Navigating steep stream banks
The role also requires the ability to attend occasional weekend events, particularly during peak monitoring seasons in spring, summer, and fall.
Access to a vehicle is necessary to transport monitoring equipment and educational materials.
Employee Benefits
Nature Forward offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employee well-being.
Benefits include:
- Health care coverage
- Life insurance
- Accidental death and dismemberment insurance
- Long-term disability insurance
- Flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care
- A 403(b) retirement plan
- Approximately 15 organizational holidays annually, plus two flexible holidays
- Paid vacation and sick leave based on length of service
These benefits reflect the organization’s commitment to supporting employees who dedicate their careers to environmental protection.
Final Thoughts
The Water Quality Monitoring Manager position at Nature Forward offers an exceptional opportunity for environmental professionals passionate about freshwater conservation, community engagement, and citizen science.
By leading volunteer monitoring programs, managing environmental data, and expanding digital tools like the Creek Critters app, the successful candidate will play a critical role in protecting stream ecosystems and educating communities about water stewardship.
For professionals interested in combining scientific expertise with meaningful public engagement, this role provides a rewarding pathway to contribute to the long-term protection of freshwater resources.
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