Josh Williford
Summary
Professional with knowledge of hydrologic processes, surveying equipment, data analytics, and extensive backcountry experience. Highly collaborative and adaptive.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
High Water Mark Mapping (Surveyor)
Western Carolina University
11.2024 - Current
- Collecting field data using Geode staff, range finder, laser, camera & measuring tape
- Uploading data onto State Database and OneDrive
- Regular meetings with Supervisor to debrief field deployments and determine next sites to target
- Regularly traversing steep, rugged terrain on foot carrying equipment
Trip Leader
Wildwater Ltd
03.2011 - Current
- Leading guided whitewater rafting trips on the Chattooga River
- Mentoring new guides and implementing special activities
- Responding to emergencies
- Raft repair & occasional grounds work
Tree Planter/Manual Laborer
Southern Taproot
03.2018 - 03.2022
- Planting thousands of trees (1/2 ~ 3 gal, bare root, livestakes, etc.) and grass at various sites along the Eastern US
- Rolling out "coco" matting along stream banks
- Trail building
Chattooga Conservancy
03.2013 - 03.2022
- Have been involved with the Conservancy on three projects: River Cain transplantation, Stekoa Creek Park in Clayton, GA, and volunteering for them in a dam removal proposal
Volunteer
Hawaii Island Hawksbill Turtle Recovery Project
06.2019 - 08.2019
- Monitoring beaches for sea turtle nesting activity
- collecting and submitting data to supervisor
- escorting hatchlings from nest to sea
Guide
Queenstown Rafting
10.2015 - 03.2016
- Guiding rafts down the Shotover River (Class 4/5)
- Raft repair
Second Nature Blue Ridge (now Blue Ridge Therapeutics)
02.2014 - 03.2015
- This required me to be in the field on a week-on/week-off schedule, leading groups of at-risk youth and young adults in wilderness and therapeutic initiatives
- As a staff team, we were responsible for the overall safety of the clients, including administering their medications and responding to their individual needs and concerns
Guide
Clarence River Rafting Company
10.2011 - 01.2012
- Guiding rafts down the Clarence River
- Catering to guests at camp
- Pre/Post-trip duties and supply runs
Guide
Rolling Thunder River Company
05.2009 - 10.2010
Education
Senior - Natural Resource Management
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC12-2025
Environmental Science Program -
Greenville Technical College
Greenville, SC12.2019
High School -
Oxford HigH School
Oxford, MS05.2002
Skills
- Use of hand tools
- 4wd vehicles & Trailers
- Data loggers
- Use of Handheld Radios, GPS & Satellite Phones
- ArcGIS, Google Earth, Excel
- Swifwater Rescue Technician
- First Aid, CPR and Wilderness First Responder
- Backcountry Navigation
- Communication through writing
- Teamwork
Skillscertifications
- Use of hand tools, 4wd vehicles and trailers, data loggers
- Use of GPS and basic GIS programs, Excel
- Swifwater Rescue Technician
- Wilderness First Aid and CPR
- Wilderness First Responder
- Some experience loading passengers and cargo on helicopters
- Backcountry Navigation
- Communication through writing
- Enjoy being part of a team. The more knowledge I acquire about a project, the more leadership responsibilities I feel comfortable handling.
Personal Information
Date of Birth: 01/02/84
Longtermgoals
- Stream & Wetlands research and restoration
- Solutions to disposing sediments and contaminants in rivers and lakes
Timeline
High Water Mark Mapping (Surveyor)
Western Carolina University
11.2024 - Current
Volunteer
Hawaii Island Hawksbill Turtle Recovery Project
06.2019 - 08.2019
Tree Planter/Manual Laborer
Southern Taproot
03.2018 - 03.2022
Guide
Queenstown Rafting
10.2015 - 03.2016
Second Nature Blue Ridge (now Blue Ridge Therapeutics)
02.2014 - 03.2015
Chattooga Conservancy
03.2013 - 03.2022
Guide
Clarence River Rafting Company
10.2011 - 01.2012
Trip Leader
Wildwater Ltd
03.2011 - Current
Guide
Rolling Thunder River Company
05.2009 - 10.2010
Environmental Science Program -
Greenville Technical College
High School -
Oxford HigH School
Senior - Natural Resource Management
Western Carolina University
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