Conservation Legacy

POSITION DETAILS

Position Title: Geomorphology Assistant - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Mount Rainier National Park, Pacific West Region Office, Ashford, Washington

Can this position be fully remote: No

Number of positions available: 1

TERMS OF SERVICE

Duration: 12 Weeks (not flexible)

Flexible Start Date: Yes

Start Date: 06/02/2025

End Date: 08/25/2025

AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 450 Hour

BENEFITS

  • Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $1,956.00 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 Geomorphology Assistant is an AmeriCorps position that will assist in the MORA Imminent Threats Program, which studies a wide array of evolving issues on behalf of Park Management. Efforts of the Program directly support issues like major infrastructure review, road/bridge replacement, Park-wide data collection campaigns, research into long-term resilience and sustainability, understanding natural hazards and risks to human constructs, and modifying Park practices to move toward a truly adaptive and sustainable human occupation of the landscape. The member will also help with active research projects geared toward developing methods suitable for monitoring and assessing steep mountain rivers, improving the foundational capacity of the Park to study and respond to the variability of its resources. Efforts by the member will contribute to many projects within this framework and will carry a broad range of impacts, from improving the success of individual Park efforts to shaping the ongoing evolution of regional policies and practices. Projects in process by the Imminent Threats Program often contribute directly to restoration of infrastructure quality and access to public lands, and cumulative impacts of the program's actions are designed to improve the long-term resilience of NPS lands.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

This position will support ongoing efforts by the MORA geology team to catalog geomorphic processes across various physical and temporal scales. Under the supervision of the Park Geology staff, the Geology/Imminent Threats Program Member will examine river and glacier responses to climate change for advancement of geologic hazard and resource monitoring at Mount Rainier National Park. Because of climate change, Mount Rainier’s glaciers are retreating, but they are not going quietly into the night. They are spawning catastrophic debris flows and glacier outburst floods (jökulhaups), and choking downstream rivers with excess sediment. The rivers are responding by aggrading (where the active river channel is up to 20 feet above adjacent floodplains and forests), flooding nearby roads, and suddenly shifting positions (avulsions), often killing acres of old growth forest. To improve the Park's capacity for adaptive management and move toward a condition of greater resilience, it is necessary for MORA to understand the glacier and river responses to climate change. All resources, from rivers and water supplies to roads and hiking trails, have been affected by climate trends. To study these issues the member will focus on field geomorphic mapping, elevation surveys, stream discharge surveys, and installation of remote sensing equipment and other specialized equipment. Mapping will be done using a tablet equipped with ESRI Fieldmaps and connected to an external GNSS receiver. Using a custom-built mapping interface on a tablet, landforms boundaries and attributes will be digitized in the field and synced to a web-hosted server over WIFI. The data will be reviewed for quality using ESRI ArcGIS software. Mapping will be focused in two geomorphic environments; gravel-bedded floodplains and mapping features on the glacier itself. Elevation surveys will be focused on river systems and infrastructure, and be performed with a combination of survey grade GNSS and Total Station units. Discharge surveys will be performed in a wide array of streams and rivers in the Park, often determined by season to ensure operational safety. Installation and maintenance of sensors in the form of stream gaging stations and remote time-lapse cameras supports ongoing monitoring needs. The field team(s) will follow a daily routine that begins with morning meetings to discuss the days objectives and risk assessment, preparing field equipment, driving to the trailhead, hiking some distance to the study site, spending several hours traversing the area and then returning to the trailhead. 10+ hour field days are typical during the summer.


KEYWORDS: Geology, Geologic Hazards, Hydrology, Flooding, Glaciers, Infrastructure, Conservation, Landscape Management, Natural Resource Management, Human Safety, Risk Mitigation, Climate Change Adaptation, Adaptive Management, Infrastructure Resilience, Long-Term Planning

DELIVERABLES

Information produced by the summer work will be synthesized for use by the MORA Imminent Threats Program, and may have an accompanying report or presentation. Results will be used to advise the Park Management and Maintenance Divisions on strategies to protect park infrastructure, safely and economically, and with a minimum of environmental impacts. Common deliverables include photos, synthesized field notes, raw and finalized data sets, permitting and approval documentation for new projects, and site monitoring reports. Potential exists for the production of published reports and professional presentations, but these components are neither guaranteed nor required.


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 12 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  1. Background in earth sciences, geology, geomorphology, geophysics, natural resources; environmental science; hydrology; forest engineering; or related field;
  2. Completed course work in calculus and physics strongly recommended. Further course work in geomorphology, hydrology, and/or GIS is preferred;
  3. Good communication skills;
  4. Good physical condition with ability to hike over rough, mountain terrain and to lift up to 50 pounds on some projects;
  5. Proficiency in field travel, both on and off trail, is a plus;
  6. Experience working in and near rivers is desired;
  7. Ability to work with minimal supervision;
  8. Clothing suitable for prolonged periods of outdoor field work in both fair and adverse weather conditions; sturdy boots; gloves; sunglasses; sunscreen; waterproof outerwear; bring lunch and hydration system; medium-sized (30-50 L) day pack is desirable.

ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

POSITION SETTING

SIP participants will be working in a backcountry setting, walking over rough and uneven surfaces, with prolonged exposure to sun, wind, rain, snow cold and other environmental hazards. The trails are steep or non-existent in many places throughout the Park. Field work is always be done in teams, unless specifically authorized. Recreation in the park includes single/multi-day hiking and mountaineering opportunities. Access is generally limited by heavy winter snow accumulations that can persist well into July. SIP participants will spend 2-3 weeks working in river valley bottoms and will transition to alpine glacier settings as the snow begins to melt. Field days range from local walks to 15 mile trips in steep uneven terrain. Surveying tools, scientific instruments, and field safety equipment will be provided by the park geology program. Essential field attire includes sturdy hiking boots, long pants made of synthetic material, UV resistant long-sleeve shirt with a hood (sun hoodie), 30-Litre backpack, hat, sunglasses, gore-tex or other rain gear (top and bottom), and hiking socks. A personal vehicle is not required but is highly recommended due to the remote location of this position. Access to grocery stores and other amenities involves a minimum travel time of 40 minutes by car and there is no access to public transportation.

The Mount Rainier Imminent Threats Program covers both field and office activities, and the Mosaics member can expect for their time to range from 50-75% focused on field activities. Remaining time will be used for office support, outreach activities, and training for the position. Training related to specialized forms of backcountry travel will be provided, the member is strongly encouraged to ask about and acquire necessary field equipment before they begin their term.


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 available and will be provided at no cost to the participant. Park housing is provided at no cost to the participant. Park housing consists of a shared room with shared kitchen, bath, and laundry facilities. Cookware and dishes are not supplied. Housing may be located either within the park at Longmire, or nine miles outside the park at Tahoma Woods. Cell phone reception may be poor or nonexistent in most areas of the park. Pets are not allowed in park housing units without special exemption. Century Link wireless internet can be installed within a seasonal housing unit at the tenant’s personal expense.

It is highly recommended the applicant bring a personal vehicle for the duration of their stay. Housing areas are remote with no public transport available in the area. Having access to a personal vehicle makes a significant difference in being able to buy supplies or seek out local activities in their off time.


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 Mount Rainier National Park, Pacific West Region Office 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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