Field Geology 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.

he 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: Field Geology Assistant– GSF/AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

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

Terms of Service:

• Start Date: May 19, 2025
• End Date: August 8, 2025
• Position Length: 12 Week Position
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 450 hours

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 a Field Geology Assistant at the Custer Gallatin National Forest, Sioux Ranger District.

The Geoscientists in Forests participant primary duties will be to inventory and assess abandoned uranium mines and mineral exploration impacts in the North Cave Hills (South Dakota) and Long Pines (Montana) land units of the Custer Gallatin National Forest. This inventory/assessment will include collecting spatial data, taking radiation readings, and writing a short report on the site with recommendations and planning for future reclamation needs.

The secondary focus of the position will be to update and consolidate spatial data from prior inventories and reclamation. Other duties may periodically include: assisting the District minerals staff and the On Scene Coordinator for the Riley Pass CERCLA site in the North Cave Hills on day to day minerals/geology project work. This work could include photo point monitoring inspecting ongoing reclamation work, using an XRF machine to analyze soil profiles for contamination, reviewing contractor design work and submissions, and monitoring past reclamation efforts.

Description of Duties:

• Identify potential uranium test pits using aerial imagery.
• Ground truth the above test pits. This will involve recording spatial data, taking photographs, measuring radiation levels, identifying physical hazards and noting access routes for a D5 dozer.
• Create reports from the inventory identifying physical and radiological hazards and provide recommendations for future reclamation.
• Submit a project initiation form to the forest archeologist based on the inventory for future reclamation in 2026.
• Revisit photo points for the Riley Pass Abandoned Uranium Mines CERCLA project.
• Assist in cleaning up old spatial data for past reclamation work.
• Assist with AML reclamation of test pits inventoried in prior years. This will involve guiding the equipment operator to each site and seeding each reclaimed area with a native seed mix.

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:

• The applicant must be working toward or already have a degree in the geosciences. Strong GPS, writing, and ArcPro skills are desired.
• A competitive applicant will have coursework and/or experience in reclamation, geology, mineralogy, geomorphology, geologic engineering, sedimentology, paleontology, photography, and GPS/GIS.
• While a Forest Service supervisor/mentor will be present, the applicant must be able to work well independently, both in the office and in the field.
• The applicant must possess basic orienteering skills, be comfortable with use of topographic and geologic maps, aerial photos, and GPS navigation systems.
• The applicant should be able to communicate effectively in writing and orally, be comfortable hiking and driving 4-wheel drive vehicles and/or UTVs in rough terrain, be able to perform field work in rough terrain, be familiar with Microsoft Word, be able to effectively use the internet for research, and have some experience writing technical/scientific documents.
• The applicant must have a valid driver’s license. If the applicant had HAZWOPR training, that would be a great advantage.

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:

The Sioux Ranger District straddles the boundaries of the states of Montana, South Dakota and North Dakota. It covers approximately 193,000 acres and retains uniqueness among all other forest units in the Northern Region because it is comprised of 8 land units that rise above the surrounding prairie like islands in an ocean. These terrestrial islands, characterized by sandstone buttes and hills which are geologic remnants of Tertiary formations (White River and Arikaree formations) overlaying the Cretaceous (Fort Union and Hell Creek formations) tablelands of eastern Montana and western South Dakota, include the North and South Cave Hills, Slim Buttes, and East and West Short Pines in South Dakota; and, the Long Pines, Ekalaka Hills and Chalk Buttes in Montana. The topographic relief of the land units varies from several hundred to one thousand feet above the surrounding prairie. The average elevation ranges from 3000-3500 feet. There are two classified National Natural Landmarks on the District, The Castles, and Capitol Rock, made of the White River and Arikaree formations.

The participant will work intermittently with the Forest Minerals Staff, but most office and much of the fieldwork would largely be done independently. Most sites will be accessed by vehicle or UTV, with hiking required to most sites. Potential job-site hazards include severe weather, ticks, rattlesnakes, driving or riding UTVs on low standard roads, and working around abandoned mine hazards, mining and mineral exploration equipment. The participant will need a good pair of hiking boots and clothing suitable for work in all conditions ranging from winter-like to hot summer. Other work and safety equipment will be provided.

Housing Description:

A bunkhouse room will be provided at no cost. No pets allowed. The room contains a bed and a closet but bedding will need to be provided by the applicant. The bunkhouse has wifi, washer and dryer, refrigerators, freezers, dishes, furniture and other basic housing supplies. The bunkhouse is located next to the district office.

Is a personal vehicle required: Yes

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: Meghan Reedy, meghan.reedy@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.
• The participant will have opportunities to crosstrain in other resource areas such as recreation and fuels in order to provide them a whole picture view of what the Forest Service does. They will have opportunities to network with FS staff and various contractors involved in the Riley Pass CERCLA work. They will recieve training in First Aid/CPR, UTVs, trailer towing, and defensive driving. They will gain skills in GIS (ArcPro, Field Maps), utilizing special equipment (geiger counter, XRF) and oral and written communication skills. We will also dedicate time to resume building and applying to federal jobs.