Want to Work In Watersheds?
Explore careers in BC's Watershed Sector: A guide to the people, pathways and possibilities that protect our water.
What is the Watershed Sector?
The watershed sector is focused on caring for the land and water systems that provide us with clean, fresh water. It brings together people and organizations working to protect, restore, and steward the natural areas that collect, filter, and carry water.
A watershed is an area of land where rain and snow drain into a shared water body, like a river, lake, or underground aquifer. Everything that happens on the land in a watershed affects the water that flows through it. That’s why the work of this sector includes everything from restoring wetlands to managing forests and planning sustainable land use.
Why it Matters
Healthy watersheds are essential to life in British Columbia. They provide drinking water, support local food production, sustain fish and wildlife, and power recreation and parts of our economy. From restoring wetlands to planning land use and monitoring streams, people working in this sector help keep these systems strong, for today and for future generations.
Indigenous Nations have been stewarding these lands and waters since time immemorial. Their laws, knowledge systems, and leadership continue to play a vital role in shaping how watersheds are protected and cared for.
A Vital Growing Field
The watershed sector already supports nearly 48,000 jobs and contributes $5 billion to BC’s economy. Across the province, from city neighborhoods to remote communities, people are making a real difference, both on the ground and in the water.
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Are you curious about a career that protects the places you love?
Explore the stories of local leaders, learn about training opportunities, and discover the many ways you can be part of this meaningful and growing field.
Careers that keep our waters flowing
Explore the six fields in BC's growing watershed sector
Watershed Stewardship
Education, Training & Capacity Building
Municipal Water and Waste Water Management
Policy, Legislation & Governance
Industrial Water and Wastewater Management
Technology & Innovation
Watershed Stewardship
Caring for land and water together
Watershed stewardship focuses on restoring habitats, managing working landscapes, and engaging communities in the care of ecosystem health.
This work bridges traditional knowledge and science, bringing together the people and practices that sustain both natural ecosystems and human use of the land. It includes habitat restoration, water quality monitoring, fisheries conservation, watershed mapping and planning, and hands-on efforts like community-led monitoring and restoration.
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In agricultural areas, stewardship also includes water-efficient irrigation, soil and nutrient management, and sustainable farming and livestock practices. These approaches help protect water quality, reduce pressure on freshwater resources, and support healthy ecosystems alongside food production. They also build climate resilience by improving the land’s ability to retain water, withstand drought, and adapt to changing conditions.
Possible Career Pathways
1. Science & Environment Degrees
Build a strong foundation with university programs in environmental science, biology, ecology, or resource management.
2. Hands-On Diplomas & Certificates
Get job-ready with applied programs in fish and wildlife, agriculture, or environmental technology.
3. Land-Based Learning
Learn from the land through Indigenous-led education programs that centre cultural knowledge and place-based practices.
4. Tech Tools for the Land
Boost your impact with training in GIS, remote sensing, and watershed mapping technologies.
5. Learn by Doing
Gain valuable field experience through work with stewardship groups, Indigenous Guardians, or community farming projects.
6. Start Where You Are
Explore entry-level roles, internships, or apprenticeships in restoration, water monitoring, or regenerative agriculture.
Common
Professions
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Watershed coordinator or project manager
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Habitat restoration specialist or technician
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Fisheries biologist or technician
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Registered Professional Biologist (RPBio)
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Riparian or wetland ecologist
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Agricultural extension officer or advisor
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Soil and water conservation specialist
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Indigenous Guardian or land steward
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Community monitoring or engagement coordinator
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Environmental educator or stewardship outreach officer
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GIS or watershed mapping technician
Get Started in Watershed Stewardship
Volunteer
Join local stewardship groups, Guardian programs, or community initiatives to start making an impact.
Show Up and Connect
Attend workshops, conferences, or training days to meet others and stay current in the field.
Learn on the Land
Explore technical training, college programs, or Indigenous land-based learning to grow your knowledge.
Get Your Hands Dirty
Build real-world skills like planting, mapping, water sampling, and data collection through hands-on work.
Start in the Field
Apply for entry-level or seasonal roles in restoration, monitoring, or sustainable farming to gain experience.
Keep Showing Up
Consistency countsāevery project, role, or learning opportunity helps build your path forward.
Municipal Water & Wastewater
Management
Safe Water, Strong Communities
This field focuses on the essential services and infrastructure that protect public health and support climate-resilient communities. Local governments and some Indigenous governments are responsible for managing drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems in ways that are safe, sustainable, and future-ready.
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This work includes maintaining treatment plants and underground networks, but also extends to natural infrastructure, like wetlands, riparian areas, and aquifers that store, filter, and move water. By investing in natural asset management, communities can reduce flooding risks, improve water quality, and build resilience to drought, extreme weather, and climate change.
Possible Career Pathways
1. Engineer the Future
Pursue civil or environmental engineering to help design the infrastructure that manages our water.
2. Get Certified
Train as a water or wastewater operator to play a key role in community health and safety.
3. Plan for Sustainability
Study urban planning, environmental science, or sustainability to shape greener, more resilient communities.
4. Learn on the Job
Enter the field through apprenticeships in public works, plumbing, or utility services.
5. Dive into Public Service
Work with municipal teams in planning, operations, or environmental services to protect water resources.
6. Manage What Matters
Gain experience in asset management to support long-term water system sustainability and performance.
Common
Professions
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Water treatment plant operator
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Wastewater systems technician
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Water infrastructure or utilities engineer
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Asset management specialist
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Stormwater planner or green infrastructure technician
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Natural asset management coordinator
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Municipal sustainability or climate resilience officer
Get Started in Municipal Water & Wastewater Management
Get Certified
Start with water and wastewater operator training to build essential technical skills and open doors to in-demand roles.
Learn by Doing
Apply for apprenticeships in public works, civil engineering, or plumbing to gain hands-on experience in the field.
Intern with Impact
Join municipal departments or conservation authorities as an intern to see how water systems are managed on the ground.
Explore Green Infrastructure
Dive into natural solutions with field programs or urban ecology courses focused on sustainable water and land systems.
Industrial Water & Wastewater Management
Doing Business with Water in Mind
Industries like mining, forestry, energy, food processing, manufacturing, and tech all rely on water—and have a responsibility to manage it wisely. This field focuses on reducing water use, protecting water quality, and minimizing environmental impacts through stewardship, reuse, reclamation, and compliance.
Professionals in this area design systems for water conservation and treatment, monitor quality, and implement industrial practices in a way that minimize environmental impacts. This work plays a key role in building climate resilience, supporting ecosystem health, and ensuring long-term sustainability across industrial sectors.
Possible Career Pathways
1. Build a Strong Foundation
Earn a degree or diploma in engineering, environmental science, or resource management to launch your career.
2. Train for Impact
Pursue technical programs in water treatment, reclamation, or environmental monitoring to develop specialized skills.
3. Learn on the Job
Gain practical experience through roles in industrial operations or environmental consulting.
4. Go Where the Work Is
Start in sustainability, safety, or compliance roles across sectors like manufacturing, mining, energy, or food and beverage.
Common Professions
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Environmental compliance officer or sustainability manager
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Industrial water reuse or treatment systems designer
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Water quality or effluent monitoring technician
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Hydropower or mining water manager
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Reclamation and remediation specialist
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Industrial ecologist
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Water risk analyst or ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) advisor
Get Started in Industrial Water & Wastewater Management
Start with School
Enroll in science, engineering, or environmental tech programs to build the knowledge base employers look for.
Get Certified
Boost your qualifications with certifications in water treatment, environmental compliance, or health and safety.
Step into the Field
Apply for internships or entry-level roles in industry, utilities, or environmental consulting to get your foot in the door.
Gain Real-World Skills
Build hands-on experience through fieldwork, lab testing, or water management projects that make a difference.
Education, Training & Capacity Building
Growing the Next Generation of Water Leaders
This field focuses on developing the skills, knowledge, and leadership needed to protect watersheds, advance climate resilience, and support strong, water-connected communities. It includes education, hands-on training, public outreach, and professional development delivered through schools, non-profits, Indigenous Nations, and government programs.
It also plays an important role in supporting Indigenous leadership, including opportunities for land-based learning and the sharing of traditional knowledge. In addition, this pathway helps people transition from other sectors—such as forestry, agriculture, or resource extraction—into careers in restoration, conservation, and water stewardship.
Possible Career Pathways
1. Study What Matters
Pursue degrees in education, environmental studies, Indigenous studies, or communications to ground your work in meaningful knowledge.
2. Learn to Lead
Earn teaching credentials or facilitation training to support learning across communities and generations.
3. Grow Through Experience
Get involved with Indigenous Guardian programs, youth initiatives, or community projects to build real-world skills.
4. Find Your Path
Join workforce development or career transition programs to explore opportunities and build confidence in your next steps.
Common
Professions
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Environmental educator or interpreter
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Community engagement or outreach coordinator
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Program manager for stewardship, training, or youth programs
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Curriculum developer or land-based learning facilitator
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Capacity-building or knowledge exchange coordinator
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Educators working in collaboration with Indigenous knowledge holders
Get Started in Education, Training & Capacity Building
Start with Training
Enroll in education, facilitation, or environmental training programs.
Learn Openly
Learn about reconciliation and Indigenous rights, including the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), to support respectful and informed collaboration.
Get Involved Locally
Volunteer or work with nonprofits, Indigenous-led initiatives, or community-based organizations.
Learn from the Land
Participate in land-based learning, mentorship, or knowledge-sharing opportunities, where invited.
Sharpen your Skills
Build skills in communication, teaching, and public engagement.
Explore New Pathways
Explore workforce development or career transition programs focused on environmental and climate resilience work.
Policy, Legislation & Governance
The Rules and Leadership that Shape the Future of Water
This field focuses on the laws, policies, and decision-making systems that guide how water and natural resources are managed. It includes the leadership of First Nations, provincial, and federal governments, as well as regional and community-based organizations.
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Governance work involves developing water policy, managing resource use, issuing permits and licenses, allocating funding, conducting monitoring and research, and guiding long-term watershed planning. It also plays a critical role in advancing climate resilience—ensuring that water systems are managed in ways that reduce risk, adapt to change, and protect ecosystems and communities.
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Indigenous leadership is central to this field. Guardian programs, natural resource departments, and Indigenous legal traditions contribute to the protection of lands and waters, uphold Indigenous rights, and bring forward governance systems rooted in traditional knowledge and nationhood.
Possible Career Pathways
1. Study the Systems
Studies in public policy, law, Indigenous governance, political science, or natural resource management.
2. Get Hands-On Experience
Internships or student positions in government, Indigenous governments, or watershed organizations.
3. Learn Indigenous Governance
Indigenous governance, lands, or stewardship training.
4. Start with Stewardship
Participation in Guardian programs or natural resource departments.
Common
Professions
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Environmental policy analyst or advisor
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Licensing or permitting officer
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Indigenous land and water governance lead
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Program or funding coordinator
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Hydrologist or watershed scientist
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Field officer for compliance or monitoring
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Guardian program manager or director
Get Started in Policy, Legislation & Governance
Study the Foundations
Study public policy, Indigenous governance, or environmental law.
Learn through Community
Join Indigenous-led or community-based governance and stewardship training.
Start Where You Can
Apply for entry-level roles in government, First Nations, or non-profit organizations.
Understand the Frameworks
Learn about key frameworks such as UNDRIP, BC’s Water Sustainability Act, and climate adaptation strategies in your region.
Technology & Innovation
Tech Tools and Bold Ideas for Water Solutions
This field brings together technology, data, and entrepreneurship to tackle urgent water challenges and support climate resilience. It includes tools like remote sensing, climate modeling, GIS, real-time monitoring systems, and water-focused startups developing cutting-edge solutions.
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Innovators in this space help communities understand changing conditions, respond to risks like flood, drought, and wildfire, and make informed decisions about water and land use. They design decision-support tools and software that improve emergency response, infrastructure planning, and long-term watershed resilience.
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Technology is also central to advancing Indigenous and local water governance. Tools that generate accessible, usable, and place-based data are essential for empowering community-led decision-making and stewardship. When integrated with traditional knowledge systems, these innovations support more just, responsive, and effective watershed management.
Possible Career Pathways
1. Study the Tech
Studies in data science, climate science, computer science, GIS, or environmental engineering.
2. Build Business Skills
Programs in entrepreneurship, business innovation, or cleantech.
3. Intern with Innovators
Internships with water-tech companies, research labs, or Indigenous-led innovation projects.
4. Train for Real-World Solutions
Training in environmental monitoring, modeling, or decision-support development.
Common
Professions
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GIS analyst or technician
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Climate impact modeler
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Social entrepreneur or founder of a water tech startup
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Water data platform developer
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Remote sensing specialist
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Software engineer (environmental tools)
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Sensor and monitoring systems technician
Get Started in Technology & Innovation
Learn the Tools of Tomorrow
Enroll in programs focused on technology, climate science, or environmental innovation and learn tools like GIS, coding languages, remote sensing platforms, and data visualization software.
Dive into Innovation
Join water-focused hackathons, innovation challenges, or data stewardship projects.
Connect with Change Makers
Explore cleantech accelerators, Indigenous-led innovation hubs, or open-source communities.
Gain Hands-On Skills
Apply for internships or co-op placements with startups, research institutes, or watershed technology teams.
