WaterCorps Program
The WaterCorps program’s mission is to provide high quality technical skills and internship opportunities to tribal members in the water resources field. The WaterCorps has been providing training and internship opportunities to tribal members for over twenty years. This partnership includes the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Stewards Individual Placements Program (Stewards), and the multiple federal, state, and tribal entities hosting the internship placements.
Program Structure
Stewards partners with the BIA to develop programmatic goals, develop trainings, administer onboarding, mid term and final paperwork, administer payroll, and provide health insurance for the participants in the program, called WaterCorps Members. In 2024, it’s anticipated that we will have between 20 and 25 WaterCorps Members at varying Host Sites across the country.
Host Sites that are interested in hosting a WaterCorps member were accepted into the program in early 2024. Their projects must relate to water resources, and last for 26 weeks. Past project examples include irrigation, fisheries, GIS, water sampling, watershed assessments, and water quality. Host Site Supervisors design the projects and mentor the WaterCorps member, providing support, professional development, and opportunities for networking.
All current position openings are located here with "Bureau of Indian Affairs" listed as the supporting organization.
During the WaterCorps Member's term the bare minimum requirements from the Stewards Program are:
- submit timesheets on a bi-weekly basis
- submit a mid term report with photos of project work
- submit final paperwork and a final report with photos
- complete a minimum of 900 hours to be eligible to receive the AmeriCorps Education Award.