Geology Assistant (52 Weeks) - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy • Lakewood, CO

3d • Onsite

About The Position

This Geology Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. NPS AML sites and features are important historical remnants of past mining and mineral activity in areas that are now administered by the NPS. Some of these sites and features have public safety or environmental impacts. Many sites also have cultural resources or landscape values and provide critical wildlife habitat. In 2008, the Department of the Interior (DOI) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) released an audit of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and NPS abandoned mineral lands. In NPS AML sites and features are important historical remnants of past mining and mineral activity in areas that are now administered by the NPS. Some of these sites and features have public safety or environmental impacts. Many sites also have cultural resources or landscape values and provide critical wildlife habitat. In 2008, the Department of the Interior (DOI) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) released an audit of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and NPS abandoned mineral lands. In response to the OIG audit, NPS conducted an on-the-ground inventory and assessment of AML sites Servicewide and summarized its findings in a 2014 report entitled Abandoned Mine Lands in the National Park System: Comprehensive Inventory and Assessment. The 2014 NPS report identifies 37,050 AML features (mined areas or orphaned oil and gas wells) at 3,421 sites in 133 NPS park units. This information is contained in the AML database, but for the NPS to address these features systematically, the bare-bones information in the database must be verified and/or updated.
The projects done by the SIP will play a vital role in helping the AML team and park staff better evaluate the 37,050 AML features and direct these funds to the features posing the highest risks.

Requirements

• 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 host site.
• The applicant must be available to participate for the entire 52 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.

Nice To Haves

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, the ability to take initiative and interact/participate well with a team.
• The position also requires close attention to detail (for example, to notice a discrepancy in data).
• For field projects, the SIP must be comfortable in the outdoor environment, be willing to hike long distances with equipment and water, take notes while in the field, and follow safety protocols and instructions.
• Skills with Excel or other spreadsheets are necessary.
• At least basic GIS skills are desired.
• Applicable coursework: natural resources, mining engineering, environmental science, reclamation/restoration, GIS, geology.

Responsibilities

• Database Review and Updates: Collaborate with the AML team and park staff to review sites and features contained within the database as part of a comprehensive database QA/QC process. This may involve producing spreadsheets or maps to support the verification of data. GIS mapping should be used to assist in feature verification. This will likely be an iterative task requiring multiple rounds of QA/QC with park staff to ensure that the database is as accurate to current conditions as possible.
• Project Completion Reports: Collaborate with the AML team and park staff to ensure that completed AML projects have corresponding completion reports utilizing existing templates and formats.
• The SIP will travel to 1-2 parks with members of the AML team as part of Surveying/Ground Truthing and Construction Observation. The SIP will not travel alone and will always be accompanied by an AML Team Member when in the field. It is critical to see the environment and variety of mine features in the field, especially to assist with verifying data and understanding mine closure methods.

Benefits

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award : $ 7,395.00 upon successful completion of position
• Weekly Living Allowance: $ 700.00 per week, fixed rate
• Relocation Allowance: $ 450.00 (distributed as a one-time lump sum with first paycheck)
• Student Loan Forbearance if applicable (administered by MyAmeriCorps, directly)
• Student Loan Interest Payments if applicable (administered through MyAmeriCorps, directly)
• Free Healthcare Coverage (opt in)
• Childcare Coverage (opt in)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED