GeoCorps™ America

GSA is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Click to Access:

How To Apply for a GeoCorps Position

Follow these steps:

Determine Eligibility
View Positions
Submit Online Résumé
Apply for a Position
Mail in required documents
Questions
Notification
Example Application Procedure
View Application Tips
Application checklist
Program Calendar

1. Determine Eligibility

Click here for eligibility requirements.
If you are a non-US citizen, please read eligibility carefully.
You must be a GSA member to apply. Join Today!
If you have participated in the GeoCorps Program in the past, you may apply for "Guest Scientist" positions ONLY.

2. View Positions

Search the list of positions for one that interests you.
Read about the position qualifications to know if you qualify.
Look into detailed information about the Park, Forest or BLM land for which you are applying.

3. Submit Online Résumé

Submit an online GeoCorps résumé to begin the application process. Submit only one online résumé.
Do not send any other résumé to GSA to apply. You must submit a GeoCorps online résumé . This is the only résumé that will be accepted. All other résumés or CVs will be discarded.
You may modify your résumé at any time before the deadline date. All résumés are considered final after the postmark deadline date.
You will receive an e-mail confirmation that your résumé was successfully received by GSA.
If you do not receive this e-mail confirmation, there was an error in the submittal process. Please set up or modify your résumé again. Only when you have received your e-mail confirmation will you know it has been received and you are able to apply for a position.

4. Apply for a Position

View positions
Select "Apply for this Position" on each position page (you must click the button for each position). If you do not "click" the button, you have not applied for the position. This is a very important step.
You will receive an e-mail that confirms you successfully applied for a position.
If you do not receive this confirmation e-mail, there was an error in the submittal process. Please apply again. Only when you receive your e-mail confirmation will you know if you successfully applied (or unapplied) for each position.
You may apply for up to 3 positions. No more than 3 applications will be accepted.
Only online résumés are accepted.

5. Mail Required Items to GSA

To complete the application process, you must mail the following application materials to GSA on or before the postmark deadline date. The application postmark deadline is listed on the main page. Any application received with a postmark after the deadline date, will not be accepted.
Mail a separate (tailored) cover letter and two (2) letters of recommendation for each position for which you are applying, using the GSA forms below. These forms must be attached to the letters. Note that these forms (PDF format) are designed to be completed prior to printing; however, once entered, the data cannot be saved, so be sure to print a copy for your records.
- Cover Letter Form (complete one per position applying for). Cover letter form must be attached to your cover letter.
  [ cover letter tips ]
- Letter of Recommendation Form (two letters for each position applying for). Recommendation cover sheet must be attached to your letters. Please provide electronic copies of the cover sheet to the people writing recommendations. Please give them advance notice on the due date.
Single-sided letters only (no double-sided please). Do not staple your letters. This will help when we photocopy each application.
The salutation line on each letter should be to the primary contact person listed on each position page and NOT to the GeoCorps Program Manager. The primary contact will be reading the letters.
In your cover letter, you should describe how your skills and experience match EACH qualification listed for the position. This is a very important part of the application process. Address EACH qualification in your cover letter. If you do not address your qualifications in your cover letter, you may be disqualified.
Cover letters should be written in formal letter format & style. Do not submit a 'casual' style cover letter. Attach cover letter form (required).
You must submit unofficial or official college transcripts if you are currently an undergraduate or graduate student or if you were within the past five years. Submit a copy of transcripts for each position you are applying for. (If you apply for 3 positions, you must mail in 3 transcripts.)
You must mail these required materials (letters of recommendation, transcripts, cover letter) to GSA. Faxes and e-mails are NOT ACCEPTED for application. The Park/Forest/BLM do not accept applications sent directly to them — Applications must be sent to GSA.
Mail application materials in packet(s) for each position:
Wesley Hill
GSA - GeoCorps Application
3300 Penrose Place
PO Box 9140
Boulder, CO 80301
(Do not send your application to the Park/Forest/BLM.)
Please use the Application Checklist to ensure correct materials.
You must send the entire completed application packet all at once on or before the deadline date. You may not send items of your application at various times. Each position = one envelope. You may send one large envelope with 2 or 3 smaller ones inside for each position you are applying for. Make sure your application packet is complete before sending it to GSA.
Transcripts must be in your application packet and NOT sent separately by the school. Your application will be incomplete if your transcripts are not sent with your packet. No Exceptions.
Unofficial transcripts can be printed online and are accepted.
You can track if your application materials have been received by GSA by visiting My GeoCorps. Please allow a reasonable amount of time for US Mail and processing/posting.
It is the applicants responsibility to communicate with your references to ensure that letters are sent with the application packet and not sent separately. Letters of recommendation must be sent with your applicaion and cannot be e-mailed.

6. Questions

If you have specific questions about the position you are applying for, call or e-mail the primary or secondary contact on the position page (e.g., exact start date, housing situation, course work).
If you have specific questions regarding this application process through GSA, e-mail Wesley Hill at whill@geosociety.org (e.g., problems with online résumé).

7. Notification

Do not call to ask about the status of your application with GSA. Check the My GeoCorps personal profile to view if GSA has received your application packet.
You will receive a phone interview if you are selected as a finalist. Please do not call the Park, Forest, or GSA to determine your status. You will be interviewed by phone if you are a finalist.
If you do not receive an interview call by 1 April, you can assume you were not chosen for the position. GSA receives more than 200 applications. Please keep this in mind and apply again next year. We would welcome your application again in the future.
Positions will be listed on the GeoCorps Web site as they are filled. Please start checking the Web site in mid-March for a list of the filled positions.
The Parks, Forests, and BLM make the position offers shortly after interviews. Once a position is offered, GSA will send the selected participant an acceptance agreement to sign. Those not selected will receive an official letter stating so. You must sign the Position Acceptance Agreement to offically accept the offer. GSA will mail you the paperwork.
View Program Calendar

8. Example Application Procedure

Susan is applying for two GeoCorps positions — a geologist position at Mount Rainier National Park and a resource manager position on the Sierra National Forest. Susan is a college student. Her first step is to fill in the online résumé form. (She only does this step once.) She then clicks 'Apply for this Position' for the Mount Rainier position. She writes a formal cover letter, gathers two letters of recommendation, and all her college transcripts for this position. She assembles these materials into one envelope. She then clicks 'Apply for this Position' for the Sierra National Forest position. She writes a formal cover letter, gathers two letters of recommendation, and all her college transcripts for this position. She assembles these materials into separate envelopes. She then combines the two envelopes into one packet and mails it to GSA on or before the postmark deadline date. Five days later, Susan checks back on the GeoCorps Web site on the 'My GeoCorps' personal profile to confirm GSA received her application packet. She then waits until mid- to late-March to receive an interview call. She also checks the Position page to see if the position has already been filled.

9. Application Tips

Click here to view tips on application procedures.