Conservation Legacy

POSITION DETAILS

Position Title: Geomorphology Assistant - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Geologic Resources Division, Denver, Colorado

Can this position be fully remote: No

Number of positions available: 1

TERMS OF SERVICE

Duration: 52 Weeks (not flexible)

Flexible Start Date: Yes

Start Date: 05/05/2025

End Date: 05/04/2026

AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1700 Hour

BENEFITS

  • Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $7,395.00 upon successful completion of position.
  • Living Allowance of $665.00 per week.
  • Relocation Allowance of $400.00 distributed as a one-time lump sum.
  • Student Loan Forbearance if applicable (administered by MyAmeriCorps, directly).
    • Student Loan Interest Payments if applicable (administered through MyAmeriCorps, directly).
  • For 52-week-long positions only:
    • Healthcare Coverage
    • Childcare Coverage

APPLICATION TIMELINE

The position will close after receiving 75 applications, or at 11:59 p.m. EST on Sunday, 19 January, 2025, whichever occurs first. The review of applications will begin after Sunday, 19 January, 2025.

PURPOSE

This Geomorphology Assistant is an AmeriCorps position that will assist National Park Service’s Geologic Resources Division staff in an analysis of potential impacts of geologic hazards on natural resources, cultural resources, and facilities. The GRD is the hub of leadership for various geologic systems and features within the National Park Service. National programs on paleontology resources management and stewardship, cave and karst resources and geologic hazards are among these. The selected candidate will have a role in shaping projects that help with conservation and stewardship direction for these programs and the associated resources at a national and local level. There is a direct line between the selected candidate’s work and the broader mission of the NPS: Documentation efforts on hazards will better inform natural resource management and visitor safety. Documentation of paleontological resources will promote visitor engagement, for example. The selected participant will gain an in-depth understanding of national NPS programs and projects, will analyze and synthesize scientific information for application to management of complex issues, and will enhance their writing and teamwork skills.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Do you love world-class landscapes? Are you known among your peers as a map wizard? Think you can pivot from studying volcanic eruptions to debris flows in the time it takes a hurricane to cause a downpour? If so, please consider applying to the Geomorphology Assistant position at the Geologic Resources Division! This year-long position will have a range of responsibilities to support parks and other staff with geomorphology and natural/geologic hazards issues. This includes upland geologic processes and covers phenomenon such as rockfall/debris flows, the impacts on park infrastructure and visitor resources. Many park areas are managed to allow natural processes to occur and allow the dynamic alteration of landscapes to continue unimpeded. As such, a balance is sought to allow visitor experiences of nature and its raw power to remain, without undue risk to park infrastructure and users (i.e., visitors and staff). A key aspect of this position is to help better understand and communicate this balance. This project will involve 1) analysis of national, regional, and park policies, guidance, and procedures regarding impacts to geologic resources and facilities from geologic hazards; 2) memos, reports, or peer-reviewed paper writing about geologic hazards; 3) a review and synthesis of current management practices to address geologic hazards; 4) Structure-from-Motion Photogrammetry data development and analysis, and 5) geologic hazards technical assistance to parks requesting assistance from the Geologic Resources Division. 6) Data and Information management relating to those above listed efforts.

The position has a mix of in-office tasks as well as field components at parks. Unlike other SIP positions this one is not limited to just one park. You will work on the national level. Office work is generally sedentary, and principally at a computer to perform data analysis, data management or writing efforts. Field work over the course of the year may comprise up to 10% of the working year depending on funding and park requested needs. The field work can involve deployment to undeveloped and remote areas within national park units, that will require overnight stays, including back country excursions (e.g., hiking, camping), ability to carry packs upwards of 50 lbs through steep, rough terrain in a range of climatic and weather conditions (I.e., heat, cold, rain, etc.). Those prospective applicants should consider their level of comfort in remote, off-trail or wilderness areas when applying. This position is intended to be based in the Geological Resources Division’s (GRD) main office, in Lakewood, Colorado and where the SIP will report generally on a daily basis, although there will be options for part-time telework too. This position includes travel funds for remote operations when technical assistance needs require in-person support.


KEYWORDS: Geology, geologic hazards, Earth science, geomorphology, surficial processes, climate change, photogrammetry, LiDAR, GIS

DELIVERABLES

Data collection and analysis on geologic hazards at the national and local levels. Contributions to Interagency work on Landslide Hazards; technical assistance to specific park needs; data & information management tasks. Test and improve the methods used for the collection, processing, display and archiving of SfM Photogrammetry data and terrestrial lidar data. Function, use and maintenance on terrestrial lidar, GNSS equipment and potentially uncrewed aerial system platforms (UxS).


QUALIFICATIONS

  • United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien.
  • Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award.
  • Prior to starting the position, agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check for the employer of record, Conservation Legacy, and a separate government security background check for the NPS site location.
  • The applicant must be available to participate for 52 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Undergraduate or graduate degree in Environmental Hazards, Environmental Management, Earth Science, Geology, Engineering, or related fields or currently enrolled in accredited college in one of these fields. Work experience in a related field for incident response, flood mapping, facility management, historic structures, etc. is also beneficial. Computer skills should include MS Office, Adobe, GIS, Photogrammetry (either 3DF Zephyr or MetaShape), applicable computer models, etc. Applicants should have technical and non-technical writing and editing, project management, teamwork, and excellent organizational skills.

ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

POSITION SETTING

This position is with the Geologic Resources Division, located at the Denver Federal Center, in Lakewood Colorado. Lakewood is within the Denver Metro area. As such, a wealth of recreational and cultural opportunities are to be found. Downtown Denver is less than 10 miles from the office location. There are museums, art galleries, and shopping, as well as a range of bars and restaurants. There are open spaces, trails, and shared bicycles within the Denver Federal Center and the mountains can be seen out the windows of the building. There is a light-rail station that serves the Federal Center campus from Golden (by the County complex) and downtown Denver. The Indian Peaks Wilderness area, near Nederland, CO is less than 50 miles away and offers remote camping and backpacking opportunities. There are numerous state parks and also national forest lands throughout the state that provide additional opportunities for recreation, biking, hiking, kayaking or just simple escape from society.

The position has a mix of in-office tasks as well as field components at national park units. Office work is generally sedentary, and principally at a computer to perform data analysis, data management or writing efforts. Office tasks will have options for teleworking. Field work over the course of the year may comprise up 10% of the working year depending on funding and park needs. The field work can involve deployment to undeveloped and remote areas within national park units, that will require overnight stays, including backcountry excursions (e.g., hiking, camping), ability to carry packs upwards of 50 lbs through steep, rough terrain in a range of climatic and weather conditions (I.e., heat, cold, rain, etc.). Those prospective applicants should consider their level of comfort in remote, off-trail or wilderness areas when applying.


VEHICLE AND DRIVER’S LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

  • Applicant must have a valid driver's license to drive a government vehicle.
  • A personal vehicle is recommended for this position.

HOUSING

Park housing is NOT available. The member will be responsible for finding housing in the nearby area. The Denver-metro housing market is extremely competitive with very low vacancy rates. As such, average monthly rents range from $1100 for studio apartments to $1500 for one-bedroom apartments. Shared housing or room rentals are a somewhat more affordable option. Candidates that already live in the Denver area are encouraged to apply. Shared off-campus housing near the Colorado School of Mines is 6-1/2 miles or about 15-20 minutes commuting distance from the duty station has been an option for past SIPs. GRD can advise the selected candidate regarding housing opportunities and neighborhoods as needed.


HOW TO APPLY

Apply online, all Scientists in Parks positions are listed at: https://conservation-legacy.breezy.hr/. Complete the application for this position, highlighting why you are interested in the position and how your background and experience will help you succeed in this position. Be prepared to upload your resume and unofficial transcript as part of completing the application questionnaire.

Once you begin applying for a position, the application must be completed in one sitting. You cannot save and return later to complete it. Applicants can apply for up to five Scientists in Parks positions per season. You need to complete a separate application for each position in order to be considered. You should receive a confirmation email after successfully submitting an application. Sometimes institutional email filters/settings can redirect or block emails related to the application. We recommend watching spam, junk, and promotional email folders in case your email service delivers messages there. Please visit How to Apply for additional resources and information about applying (i.e., learn what materials to have ready for applying, find a worksheet that previews application questions, etc.). Learn more about Scientists in Parks at: https://www.scientistsinparks.org/.


ADDITIONAL DETAILS


PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions.


TIME REQUIREMENTS

  • This position is expected to serve full time each week, but exact service schedules may vary.
  • Lunch breaks will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service hours.
  • Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.

ORIENTATION AND TRAINING

  • Orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
  • Pertinent training from the NPS site location throughout the term of service.
  • Access to free professional development webinars led by Conservation Legacy staff or the Ecological Society of America.
  • Opportunity to join one (or more) SIP Affinity Groups. Groups include: DEIJ Change Makers, Women+ in Science, BIPOC, or Pride in STEM.
  • Opportunity to present the outcomes from the SIP position at national scientific meetings held by the Ecological Society of America and Geological Society of America.

EVALUATION AND REPORTING

As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service.


Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking.


Stewards Individual Placements (Stewards), a program of Conservation Legacy, provides individuals with AmeriCorps service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. Participants serve with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits to provide institutional capacity, develop community relationships, and support ecosystem health. Stewards in partnership with the Geologic Resources Division will host a Geomorphology Assistant.


Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage members of diverse groups to apply. This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, genetic information, and military service. Where a significant portion of the population eligible to be served needs services or information in a language other than English, the recipient shall take reasonable steps to provide written material of the type ordinarily available to the public in appropriate languages. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with AmeriCorps requirements.


If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to Scientists in Parks using the email address at the base of the home page, under “Questions? Contact us!”

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