POSITION DETAILS
Position Title: Hydrology Assistant
Park Unit: Valles Caldera National Preserve
Location: Jemez Springs, New Mexico
Number of positions available: 1
Can this position be fully remote: NO
INTERNSHIP DATES AND LENGTH
Duration: 36 Weeks (not flexible)
Start Date: 03/24/2025
Flexible Start Date: YES
LIVING AND RELOCATION ALLOWANCE:
Weekly Stipend: $565.00
Relocation Allowance: $400.00
CURRENT NUMBER OF APPLICANTS: Under 75 (This posting will close after receiving 75 complete applications or at 11:59 p.m. EDT on Sunday, 16 June, whichever occurs first.)
POSITION DESCRIPTION
This position will serve as a member of the Division of Science and Resources Stewardship at Valles Caldera National Preserve. The selected intern will be a member of the hydrology/physical sciences team, focusing on wetland restoration planning, park planning, and scientific monitoring around Valles Caldera.
The projects this intern will be working on include:
- Development of a wetland and stream restoration plan for the E. Fk. Jemez River. This includes potential use of multiple techniques such as streambank armoring, pond-and-plug, beaver dam analogues, and creation of other structures. A multitude of techniques have been used throughout Valles Caldera NPres, and the selected individual will have the opportunity to examine efficacy and function of multiple wetland restoration projects.
- Further building out a database of all wetland restoration projects within Valles Caldera NPres.
- Monitoring of geomorphology along several creeks and streams.
- Operation, maintenance, and upkeep, and monitoring of several stream gages, flumes, water quality sondes, and weather stations throughout Valles Caldera National Preserve.
- Continued monitoring of wildfire effects in the area.
POSITION IMPACT
Valles Caldera has always been a landscape in transition. From a volcano to a lake, to resurgent domes, to the indigenous people that have always called the place home, and finally to a ranch and then public land for conservation. Currently, the biggest transition involves our General Management Plan, due to be completed in 2025.
In support of this plan, the National Park Service needs an inventory and assessment completed on one of the last stretches of un-restored river in the Preserve. This will include the geomorphology, water quality, vegetation, and wetland extent along several miles of the East Fork Jemez River. This assessment will assist land managers in charting the way forward for Valles Caldera as visitation increases and the climate continues to change.
DELIVERABLES
The final product will include a restoration plan for the East Fork Jemez River that includes an inventory of wetland habitat, a discussion of water quality and climate change, and potential fixes for problem areas.
DESIRED INTERN QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Sciences, Biology, Geology, Hydrology, or any related field, or experience with any of the tasks listed above.
The applicant must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. legal permanent resident (“Green Card holder”). Prior to starting this position, a government security background clearance will be required. The applicant must be available to participate for 36 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.
WORK SETTING
Valles Caldera is a high-elevation volcanic caldera in Northern New Mexico. Elevations on the preserve range from 8000-12000 feet above sea level. Temperatures can vary from -40 degrees Fahrenheit to 90, and even near 100 degrees at our headquarters in Jemez Springs, NM. The Caldera's landscape is defined by wide-open high elevation grasslands and wetlands, punctured with resurgent domes that host a range of vegetation biomes, but mostly mixed-conifer forests.
Work will take place 50% in our office in Jemez Springs (with more of that in the early season) and 50% in the field.
Jemez Springs is a very small, remote town in the Jemez Mountains of New Mexico. Major grocery stores are available in Los Alamos, NM and Rio Rancho, NM, about 1 hour away. A small grocery store is available 9 miles away in Jemez Pueblo, NM. Internet and cellular service are spotty and can be difficult to find. The nearest major medical facility is in Rio Rancho, NM, but a smaller Indian Health Service clinic is available in Jemez Pueblo. Tribal membership is not required to access this clinic.
VEHICLE AND DRIVERS 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 available and will be provided at no cost to the participant. Individual 'casita'. This is a private bedroom and bathroom, with a shared common kitchen in another building (less than 100 yds away).
Basic cooking supplies are provided, but it is recommended that the selected intern provide anything outside of simple pots and pans that might be required. The selected intern will need to provide their own bed linens.
KEYWORDS
Hydrology, Wetlands, Ecological Restoration, Restoration, Geomorphology
IMPORTANT NOTICES
This posting will close after receiving 75 complete applications, or at 11:59 p.m. EDT on Sunday, 16 June, whichever occurs first. 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 Intern positions per winter. 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 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
https://www.scientistsinparks.org/