Environmental Sciences Department
Students learn and practice skills in real field settingsWater Resources
Program Description
The Water Resources program at Spokane Community College (SCC) is one of only a few programs
of its kind in the United States. The program is designed to prepare students for technical
positions in hydrology and water quality for local, state and federal agencies, and private
industry.
» View a video about this program
The study of water involves physical, chemical and biological components. Instruction is
offered in all three of these areas to develop a well-rounded graduate for employment or
pursuing a bachelor's degree. The program requires eight weeks of work experience to be
completed during the summer between the two years of instruction. The occupational
experience requirement is designed to give the student a chance to demonstrate their
technical skills and get exposed to jobs they may be interested in pursuing after
graduation.
Program Goals
Students who successfully complete this program will be able to:
- Install, operate and maintain instruments used in stream gaging and discharge measurement.
- Collect samples, complete field surveys, analyze, and report water quality parameters in
the field and laboratory using standard chemical, biological, physical, and field survey
techniques commonly utilized in water resource studies.
- Collect, recognize and identify aquatic organisms from invertebrate insects to fish species,
relating what is found to the habitat and aquatic ecosystem conditions.
- Install, operate, and maintain instruments used in collecting hydro-meteorological
measurements.
- Set up monitoring plans and schedules to collect, measure, analyze and report ground
water levels and water quality parameters.
- Be familiar with restoration practices used to improve fish habitat and water quality,
including techniques to stabilize slopes, recover degraded lakes and stream courses.
- Utilize, interpret and analyze maps and aerial photographs in the characterization and
management of water resources, including through the use of geographic information
systems (GIS).
- Operate a hand compass, staff compass, transit, level, global positioning systems (GPS)
and electronic instruments in determining slopes, turning angles, running traverses,
locating ownership boundaries, and determining locations.
- Work safely in a variety of adverse conditions and environments, including obtaining
40-hour Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) certification
according to the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.120.
- Have knowledge and understanding of of Federal and State laws that pertain to water and the
aquatic environment including a good working knowledge of water rights laws.
- Use the computer as a tool for solving water resources problems.
- Record, report, analyze and store data gathered according to established protocol.
- Write technical reports and give presentations.
- Demonstrate human relationship skills and professional behavior needed for successful job
performance.
Career Opportunities
There is an increasing demand for technologists to assist professional personnel in the
investigation, interpretation and analysis of data for proper monitoring and management of
water resources. This program is a recognized feeder program for the U.S. Geologic Survey
Hydrologic Technician series. Other potential employers for graduates include federal
agencies (such as Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S.
Natural Resources Conservation Service), Native American tribes, state agencies (such as
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, Idaho Fish & Game, Idaho Department of Water
Resources, Washington State Department of Ecology, Washington Department of Fish &
Wildlife, Washington Department of Natural Resources), health districts, county and
municipal governments, semi-public agencies (such as irrigation, drainage and water
districts), private lumber and mining companies, and private consulting firms.
Common positions for the program's graduates include:
- biological technician
- environmental technician
- fisheries technician
- hydrologic technician
- water quality technician
- water resources technician
- watermaster
- watershed technician
Summary
The Water Resources program at SCC offers students many exciting career opportunities
while providing a solid understanding of water resource science. If you love the outdoors
and are looking for a good job, come join us!
 | For more information: |
| Program Contacts: | Erin Cunningham Rudders or David Stasney |
| Email: | ERudders@scc.spokane.edu or
DStasney@scc.spokane.edu |
| Dept. Phone: | (509) 533-7266 or
1-800-248-5644 ext. 7266 |
| or |
| Counseling Contact: | Ric Villalobos, M.S., Counselor |
| Email: | RVillalobos@scc.spokane.edu |
| Phone: |
(509) 533-7356 or
1-800-248-5644 ext. 7356
|
| Mail: | SCC Counseling Center
1810 N Greene St
Spokane, WA 99217-5399 |
| |
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