Before arriving in Tucson, he worked as a Research Hydrologist and Hydrologist for the USDA-ARS in Boise, ID, where he spent a decade conducting research on the impacts of wildland fire, woody plant encroachment, invasive weeds, and land management practices on vegetation, soils, and hydrologic and erosion processes for rangelands and dry forests. Before joining USDA-ARS in 2006, he worked for Boise State University in Boise, ID, researching streamflow generation, ground water and surface water interaction, and ecohydrologic feedbacks between soils, vegetation, and the atmosphere. He was employed by the USDA-Forest Service in Alaska, Idaho, and Washington prior to his arrival at Boise State University. His work with the USDA-Forest Service spanned multiple discipline areas including hydrology, integrated resource inventory, reforestation, silviculture, timber, and wildland fire fighting.

Current research efforts continue to emphasize ecohydrologic feedbacks between soils, vegetation, and the atmosphere. Much of his current research centers on the effects of disturbances (e.g., plant community transitions and wildland fire) and conservation/restoration practices on vegetation, soils, and hydrologic and erosion processes spanning the rangeland to dry forest continuum in the western US. Research focuses on improving scientific understanding and providing land management agencies, private landowners, and other entities with knowledge, models, and other tools to better assess and manage wildland resources. He currently serves as an Associate Editor for the journals Rangeland Ecology and Management and International Soil and Water Conservation Research.