POSITION DETAILS
Position Title: Hydrology Assistant
Park Unit: Hot Springs National Park
Location: Hot Springs, Arkansas
Number of positions available: 1
Can this position be fully remote: NO
INTERNSHIP DATES AND LENGTH
Duration: 26 Weeks (not flexible)
Start Date: 11/04/2024
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
Hydrologic Technician Intern: The intern's primary responsibilities will be to calibrate, maintain, and use multiparameter meters for the measurement of temperature, pH, specific conductance, dissolved oxygen, and acid neutralizing capacity at 32 hot springs. Secondary responsibilities will include the development of printed and digital interpretive material and the creation and presentation of formal interpretive programming about the park’s hydrogeology and other natural resources. Tertiary duties may include assistance with other projects in natural or cultural resource management such as wildlife and plant surveys, GIS training, cross-training with other park divisions, and archival research.
POSITION IMPACT
The intern hired for this position will be an integral member of the natural resource management team, helping to achieve management goals for the park’s primary resource – its thermal water – through research, monitoring, and characterization of the hot springs’ physical parameters, aiding in visitor outreach and education about the geothermal hydrology of the hot springs and the life forms that call them home, and assisting the Natural Resource Program Manager by creating reports, interpretive programs, and digital and printed educational materials to inform park management decisions and expand visitor understanding and satisfaction.
DELIVERABLES
1.) Comprehensive scientific report of data collected, which should include a record of the weekly spring monitoring for each of the 32 sites. This information will be provided to the park’s managers and may be published, particularly in park compliance documents.
2.) A well-organized database of water quality data will be maintained. All field notebooks used to collect data must be legible and will be kept at the park for archival.
3.) Interpretive programming (water quality, hydrogeology, thermophiles, etc.) – the intern will develop and present an interpretive program for the public; this program will be repeated weekly throughout the summer and should be appropriate for a general audience of all comprehension levels.
4.) Flow rate data will be collected and analyzed for future use on upcoming construction projects within the park.
DESIRED INTERN QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants must have at least 60 hours of undergraduate coursework in the physical sciences or a closely related field from an accredited institution. Courses in geology, chemistry, and hydrology are desired. Well qualified applicants will have a Bachelor’s degree or at least 120 hours towards a Bachelor’s degree in the physical or life sciences or a closely related field (Geology, Hydrology, Geochemistry, Biology, etc.) from an accredited institution. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required. Master's and PhD. students are welcome to apply for this position. Recently graduated applicants will be considered first.
Experience with YSI multi-parameter probes, IDEXX bacteria processing equipment, and data entry/database maintenance is preferred. Applicants should also have strong communication skills, both verbally and in writing. Interpretive experience, especially with digital media and publications, is desired. Basic computer skills are required. The position is subject to a federal background investigation clearance.
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 26 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.
WORK SETTING
Natural Environment: Hot Springs National Park is within the Zig Zag area of the Ouachita Mountains, and the terrain of the park is narrow valleys and steeply inclined slopes topped with novaculite outcrops. The maximum elevation within park boundaries is just over 1,200 feet. The park surrounds the north end of the City of Hot Springs, and there is considerable urban interface.
The city of Hot Springs, Arkansas, (population of 35,000) in Garland County (population 97,000) offers a wide variety of entertainment and recreation options, including a small amusement park, and the nearby lakes, forests, and rivers provide ample opportunity for outdoor adventures.
Physical Work Environment: Summers in central Arkansas are very hot and humid, with heat index values often exceeding 105 for 5+ consecutive days. Biting insects and other wildlife, poison ivy, and sunburn are likely field work risks. Interns will be expected to complete many physically challenging tasks in the conditions described. A set of steel toe boots and hiking boots are required for this position. Composite toe hiking boots will work as well.
The intern office space is within the Lamar Bathhouse, near the south end of Bathhouse Row, a National Historic Landmark District. Each intern will be provided with an individual workspace, which will include a desk, desk chair, computer, and lockable storage.
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. Shared Park housing is available at Hot Springs National Park campground. The housing is a small cabin with individual bedrooms and shared living space, kitchen, and laundry room. The cabin is fully furnished with all amenities including bed linens, dishes, and appliances including washer/dryer. Though if the SIP intern wishes to bring their own bedding they can. Camping gear is also recommended but not necessary. The unit does not have wifi however, most other park buildings have internet connections.
KEYWORDS
Hydrology, Sampling, Field Based, Research, Air Quality
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/