Cave Interpretive Assistant-AmeriCorps

GEOSCIENTISTS IN FORESTS PROGRAM

The USDA Forest Service Lands, Minerals and Geology (LMG) in partnership with the Conservation Legacy and the Geological Society of America (GSA) is pleased to announce the 2025 Geoscientists in Forests (GSF) Program —a new program— offering paid professional development opportunities to emerging geoscientists that leverage Agency capacity to conduct geologic work.

The Forest Service Geoscientists in Forests (GSF) specializes in opportunities that address geoscience related needs and management priorities. The projects will involve predominantly field-oriented research, inventory and monitoring, and geoscience interpretation for agency staff and the public. With the GSF assistance, the USDA Forest Service can accomplish essential geoscience projects that would otherwise be difficult to complete owing to lack of full-time staff geoscience specialists.

The primary purposes of the Geoscientists in Forests Program are to:

• Provide on-the-ground geoscience training and experience for the next generation of Forest Service geoscience stewards;
• Promote an immersive, paid developmental experience for emerging geoscience professionals under Forest Service mentorship;
• Address critical geoscience needs on National Forest System lands; and
• Promote career exploration and professional development for recent graduates with attention to underrepresented populations.

Position Title: El Capitan Cave Interpretive Assistant– GSF/AmeriCorps [2 Positions}

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Application Timeline: Preference given to applicants that submit application by January 31, 2025.

Terms of Service:

• Start Date: 05/19/2025

• Position Length: 12 Week Position
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 450 hour

Position Summary:

The Geoscientists in Forests Program is seeking geoscience professionals to address critical needs on National Forest System lands. 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. The USDA Forest Service - Lands, Minerals, and Geology in partnership with Stewards will host El Capitan Cave Interpretive Guides at the Tongass National Forest.

El Capitan Cave is the largest mapped cave in Alaska, with over two miles of explored passages. The USDA Forest Service (USFS) is seeking two Geoscientists in Forests participants to work as Cave Guides in this unique and scenic environment. Primary duties include leading small groups (15 or less) on interpretive tours of El Capitan Cave. Tours generally last two hours and include discussion regarding the area's natural, cultural, and geological features. Secondary duties include minor trail work; brushing, cleaning, and mowing the administrative camp area, and other similar duties assigned. Guides are encouraged to explore the surrounding public lands to become better sources of area information. Guide training will be provided on site. In addition, field orientation with specialists (geology, archaeology, etc.) and required safety training (e.g., first aid/CPR, bear awareness, defensive driving) will be provided. Former guides have recommended that cave guides bring their own vehicle, if possible, to allow for some freedom to explore the island during off time. The project is seeking two candidates to participate this season.

Description of Duties:

The goal of this program is to provide safe, engaging and educational tours of El Capitan Cave to the public. Visitors to the cave will leave the tour with a better understanding of Cave and Karst resources and the natural environment of the Tongass National Forest.

• Lead 3 cave tours per day, each lasting about 1.5-2 hours. Tour begins at the bottom of the interpretive trail
• Create interpretive materials for tours
• Maintain El Cap Cave and Cabin grounds (mowing/weed whacking)
• Drive USFS Trucks on dirt road between El Cap Cave Site and Thorne Bay

Qualifications:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a Legal Permanent Resident.
• At least 18 years of old, and to be eligible for Public Lands Corps certificate, must finish project while age 30 or under or if a military veteran, finish project while age 35 or under.
• 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.
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.
• Able to pass a federal background.
• Possess a valid driver's license and a good driving record (if the GSF needs to drive a government vehicle during their position)

Preferred Qualifications:

Candidates must have a willingness to engage with the public and experience working or recreating outdoors. They must be comfortable working in a damp, cold, underground environment and able to climb 250 feet of elevation to the cave. They must also be comfortable living at a remote, off-grid cabin with no electricity.

Ideal candidates will have a familiarity with cave and karst resources as well as relevant experience in interpretive, public-facing or educational work. Coursework in the fields of geology, hydrology, ecology, archeology, or natural resources conservation is preferred. Experience in off-grid, remote, or backcountry environments is preferred.

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. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.

Additional Position and Community Information:

Work will take place on Northern Prince of Wales Island at the El Capitan Cave Interpretive Site. The site sits along the ocean, and the surrounding area is rugged and mountainous. In the temperate rainforest, summer temperatures rarely exceed 75 degrees Fahrenheit and rain is frequent. The local geology is generally characterized by recently glaciated, Paleozoic, sedimentary rocks including the Heceta Limestone.

The worksite includes a 1/4-mile, moderately uneven trail through the forest to reach the cave. The tour route through the cave is approximately 900 feet. The cave is in a primitive condition with no artificial lighting, and natural, loose-cobble floors. The cave is constantly 42 degrees, drippy, and 100% humidity.

During the work week (Wednesday-Sunday), guides will live at the El Capitan Cave Administrative Cabin and may return to Thorne Bay in their off time where they will be given rooms at the Thorne Bay Bunkhouse. The worksite is approximately a 2-hour drive from the Thorne Bay Ranger District and a 30-minute drive to the nearest paved road. The nearest community is Whale Pass, about 45-minutes away, which has a library and small convenience store. A vehicle is provided by the USFS for travel to and from the Thorne Bay Ranger District to The El Cap Site.

Housing Description:

Free onsite housing is provided by the USFS at no cost to the participant. Housing will be provided at the El Capitan Cave site on workdays and at the Thorne Bay Bunkhouse on off days.

"On Duty" days (El Capitan Cave site) – Housing is in a rustic bunkhouse that fits 4 individuals. The shared bunkhouse space offers basic kitchen appliances, dishware, utensils, pots/pans, etc. and basic shower and heat in the facility. The bunkhouse has an outhouse. There is no electricity or cell phone service.

"Off Duty" days (Thorne Bay) – Bunkhouse rooms are provided; rooms may be shared with one other person. Bunkhouse has a full kitchen, shower, laundry, and common living room area. Bunkhouse is located approximately one mile from the grocery store, ¼ mile from the convenience store, and ½ mile from the library (free Internet access).

Is a personal vehicle required: No

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $1,956.35
• Living Allowance of $600 per week
• Additional Benefit of $100 per week

Application Instructions:

Please submit resume and respond to all job-related questions. Positions will close on January 31st or when 75 applications are received. Applicants may apply for up to five open positions.

Application Timeline:

Positions open on December 1, 2024. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Position will close on January 31, 2025 or when 75 applications are received, whichever occurs first.

Supervisor Name and Contact Information:

Program Contact information: James Gasaway, jgasaway@conservationlegacy.org

Forest Service Contact information: Anna Harris, anna.harris1@usda.gov

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 application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.

Additional Details

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.

Time Requirements:

• Typically, this position is expected to serve 40 hours each week, but exact service schedules may vary.
• Lunch breaks will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service
• Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.

Orientation and Training:

• Member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
• Guides will become knowledgeable, through experience and training by the Thorne Bay Geology office, in cave and karst resources as well as forest resources. Guides will gain a thorough understanding of cave and karst development, local geology, ecology, and history. They will become proficient and confident in leading groups safely through caves and interpreting them for the public.
• Guides will receive Forest Service safety trainings such as First Aid and CPR; also cave safety specifics. They will work directly with the Thorne Bay Geology office to manage the Cave Interpretive Program, including interpretation/education, communications, health and safety, customer service, and marketing. The participants will have the opportunity to network with local geologists, archaeologists, and resource specialists.