Conservation Legacy

POSITION DETAILS

Position Title: Hydrology Assistant - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Hot Springs National Park, Hot Springs, Arkansas

Can this position be fully remote: No

Number of positions available: 1

TERMS OF SERVICE

Duration: 20 Weeks (not flexible)

Flexible Start Date: Yes

Start Date: 05/05/2025

End Date: 09/22/2025

AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 675 Hour

BENEFITS

  • Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $2,817.00 upon successful completion of position.
  • Living Allowance of $565.00 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).

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 Hydrology Assistant is an AmeriCorps position that will be an integral part 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.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Hydrologic Technician Member: The member'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.


KEYWORDS: Hydrology, Sampling, Field Based, Research

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 member 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.


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 20 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.

PREFERRED 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.

ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

POSITION 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. Members 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 member office space is within the Lamar Bathhouse, near the south end of Bathhouse Row, a National Historic Landmark District. Each member will be provided with an individual workspace, which will include a desk, desk chair, computer, and lockable storage.


VEHICLE AND DRIVER’S LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

  • Applicant must have a valid driver's license to drive a government vehicle.
  • A personal vehicle is not required 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 member 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.


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 Hot Springs National Park will host a Hydrology 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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