As an assistant regional hydrologist, I provide functional and technical support to the forests on a multitude of programs such as water quality monitoring, water rights and uses, and watershed condition and management.
Curiosity, leadership, good communication, and collaboration with multiple agencies, partners, and cooperators are must-have skills in the public service jobs.
Dealing with a myriad of Federal, State, and local water laws as well as leading the water programs in a socio-politically charged environment is challenging in California. When out in the field, I deal with bears. Luckily, I have a service dog who accompanies me because I am deaf.
I use a flow meter, tape measure, Global Positioning System (GPS), camera, map, rubber boots for wading in stream, and field notebook. I use flow data from stream gauges and track stream channel distribution and alignment from satellite aerial photos.
The most exciting work I did was when I was on a fire assignment as a resource advisor. I supervised an equipment operator repairing the stream channel crossing that was damaged from a fire suppression. It was fun to see how much you can accomplish with large equipment.
When I was 16, I spent 2 months with the Juneau Icefield Research Program and fell in love with science. I love being on the water. I was on the swim team growing up, and now I do open water swim. I knew I had to work hard in graduate school to have a career in the outdoors.
