POSITION DETAILS
Position Title: Geomorphology Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Grand Teton National Park, Moose, Wyoming
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: 05/12/2025
End Date: 09/29/2025
AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 675 Hour
BENEFITS
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 support the understanding and management of unique and significant geologic and hydrologic resources in the Park, while also providing important information to support public health and safety concerns for Park visitors. The SIP's work will contribute to the overall project goals by collecting important data, and helping to develop protocols that answer scientific questions, which in turn inform management decisions. “The purpose of Grand Teton National Park is to preserve and protect the spectacular scenery of the Teton Range and the valley of Jackson Hole; protect a unique geologic landscape that supports abundant diverse native plants…. and to provide opportunities for enjoyment, education, inspiration, and scientific investigation compatible with these resources for present and future generations.” Grand Teton National Park is in the heart of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, one of Earth’s largest intact temperate ecosystems. The central feature of the park is the Teton Range, an active, fault-block mountain front that is 40 miles long and 7–9 miles wide. The range includes 12 peaks over 12,000 feet, with the highest in the range over 13,000 feet. The park protects 7 morainal lakes along the base of the Teton Range and more than 100 alpine and backcountry lakes. The Snake River bisects the valley of Jackson Hole and is the headwaters of the Columbia River system.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The position's primary project will be investigation, monitoring and inventorying of geomorphic landforms and change throughout terrestrial and fluvial environments across Grand Teton National Park and the John D. Rockefeller Memorial Parkway in 2024. This will include geologic, geomorphic, and hydrologic monitoring to identify, delineate, and investigate temporal landscape change. This will require strong remote sensing, geomorphology, geology, and backcountry mountain travel skills and experience. The position will also support the glacier monitoring program, utilizing a suit of hydrology, glaciology and climate monitoring techniques across seven of the glaciers in the Park. The position will continue monitoring hydrology at several existing glacier sites and develop more sites and protocols for various complex environments as site conditions dictate, which is a critical element in the glacier program. Additionally, the person will help implement a high-accuracy geodetic survey of the ablation zone on Middle Teton Glacier at the end of the summer. The person will support the retrieval, deployment, analysis, and reporting of the six climate sensors co-located with monitored glaciers. Finally, the position will contribute to rockfall monitoring and inventory project, as well as other physical science monitoring in the park. The purpose of this project is to better track and quantify rockfall events, spatially and temporally.
KEYWORDS: Glaciers, Climate Change, Rivers, Geomorphology, Hydrology
DELIVERABLES
The position will field test, and help develop, a preliminary monitoring protocol and investigation into geomorphic and landscape change, as well as tracking database, for the Park. The individual will also produce some basic science communication documents, in the form of StoryMaps, social media posts, and articles, to detail the landscape change, glacier, rockfall, and river monitoring work, and share with internal and external interested parties. They will also contribute to existing monitoring databases, through spreadsheets, GIS, web applications, etc.
QUALIFICATIONS
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Field skills on snow and ice for glacier monitoring activities and mountain travel throughout the summer are highly preferred. • Hydrology/Geology coursework and fieldwork experience required. • Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Science (or related field) • Mountain Skills and Physical fitness required. • High level of physical fitness required, specifically the ability to hike over 15 miles a day with several thousand feet of elevation gain, over often steep, loose terrain. • GIS Experience • Raster Analysis and GPS to GIS data workflow. • Experience with Trimble and Collector for ArcGIS preferred. • River/boating/whitewater experience helpful.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
Located in northwestern Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park and the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway preserve a spectacular landscape rich with majestic mountains, pristine lakes, and extraordinary wildlife. The abrupt vertical rise of the jagged Teton Range contrasts with the sage covered valley, creating world-renowned scenery that attracts visitors from all over the world. Park headquarters is located in Moose, Wyoming which is approximately 12 miles north of Jackson. Jackson is a small, outdoor recreation focused, thriving community of 10,000 year round residents. The town caters to four million tourists every summer, has an excellent hospital and medical community, a well-respected public school system, private schools, multiple grocery stores, excellent restaurants, and seasonal music and art festivals. Outdoor activities are available year round and include easy access to three ski resorts (Snow King Resort, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, and Grand Targhee), back-country and Nordic skiing, snowmobiling, hiking, camping, backpacking, horseback riding, boating, rafting, kayaking, hunting, cycling, mountain biking, and world class fly fishing, climbing, and mountaineering. The climate can be as extreme as the activities that are available. Winter temperatures range between lows of 20 degrees below zero to highs of 30 degrees. Summer temperatures are comfortable, with highs between 65 - 80 degrees, and lows into the mid-30’s.
VEHICLE AND DRIVER’S LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
HOUSING
Park housing is available and will be provided at no cost to the participant. Housing is likely a private bedroom with shared kitchen and bathroom. Beds and basic furniture are provided. Member must bring all bedding, kitchenware, and cleaning supplies.
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
ORIENTATION AND TRAINING
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 Grand Teton National Park 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!”