Bureau of Indian Affairs - WaterCorps Program
About the Program
This program is a partnership between the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and Stewards Individual Placements, and multiple federal, state and tribal entities who host BIA WaterCorps Members. The WaterCorps program's mission is to provide high quality technical skills and internship opportunities to Tribal youth in the water resources field. Scroll below to learn more details about this program, whether you're an interested candidate or an interested host site!
GENERAL PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Information for interested candidates:
Are you a member of a federally recognized Indian Tribe, Band and/or Village and between the ages of 18-34? Are you also interested in gaining experience in the world of water resources and management? If so, this program might be for you!
Over the course of 26 weeks, BIA WaterCorps members will support a variety of water related projects located in varying spots across the country to help meet the project needs of the host site. 2024 positions open for recruitment in late January with start dates between May-July. Scroll down to find the link to all open positions.
All WaterCorps Member positions are 26 weeks long, stationed a varying host sites and considered AmeriCorps Members. Upon successful completion of the position, Members will receive an AmeriCorps Education Award.
Please click this link to learn more: BIA WaterCorps Member Informational Flyer
Questions?? email watercorps@conservationlegacy.org
Host Site Information:
Interested in supporting WaterCorps members and being a host site? Federal, state, and local agencies are invited to apply to host BIA WaterCorps members with positions starting around May-July! All projects must support water resources and management, be entry level, and tied to tribal nations. Host sites are required to do their own local recruitment while Stewards will support national recruitment.
Host site applications will be evaluated based on the distribution of projects within BIA regions, project scope, supervisor mentorship abilities, opportunities for professional development and site inclusivity for indigenous members.
**THE HOST SITE APPLICATION PERIOD IS NOW CLOSED FOR 2024. If you would like to be alerted when the applications open for 2025 please scroll down and click the button in the host site section below.
Host Site Applications- CLOSED FOR 2024 PROJECTS
Projects must support water resources and management, be entry level, and be tied to tribal nations. All submitted applications will be evaluated based on project scope, supervisor mentorship ability, opportunities for member professional development and site inclusivity for indigenous members. The host site application period is generally between November and December.
Check it out!! A BIA WaterCorps Member's experience
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Past WaterCorps members assist graduates from the University of New Mexico in establishing and installing new piezometers sites to help them in their study and data collection. If you are selected as a participant, you may be able to participate in meaningful research like this!
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WaterCorps member identifies hybrid trout species when removing a screw trap from the Lyre River. Members may support population studies, habitat assessments, water quality testing, and macroinvertebrate surveys to support fisheries work!
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WaterCorps members may learn how to evaluate species composition, health of waterways, and general field data collection techniques such as peak-flow data, steamflow, and gage height.
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WaterCorps members may be learning how to collect water benchmarks and water flows and levels in surface waters like streams and lakes. Further, they will be exposed to groundwater sampling to understand the water levels in wells and aquifers.
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WaterCorps Members may be exposed to hydropower system infrastructure such as power substations, electrical switching stations, and power generating facilities
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WaterCorps members may be operating advanced irrigation technology to maximize agricultural output. The members could be working on one of the Bureau of Indian Affairs 15 large scale irrigation projects that are active in the Western United States.
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WaterCorps members will be guided by mentors at their host site that provide professional development opportunities and aim to give members real world career experience. Water resources are the fundamental building block of life and our program greatly admires those who are willing to work towards maintaining crucial structures that deliver these resources. Stewards Individual Placements, alongside the Bureau of Indian Affairs, ensures host site accountability by consistent check-ins and a final program review to provide the best experience.
Project Examples:
You can expand the accordions below to see a few examples of past project work. Also check out this article from a current BIA WaterCorps member, Elena Prest, for a look into the inside experience!
