| Public Land Name: | Northern Region, US Forest Service | | Position Title: | Environmental Geologist | | Position ID Number: | 187 | | Location: | Helena, MT | | Position Description: | The GeoCorps participant will assist the Regional AML Coordinator and the Helena National Forest Geologist in completing systematic monitoring on sites that have been cleaned up under the Regional Abandoned Mines program. In 2006, a Post-Remediation Assessment Protocols and Handbook, was developed by the Reclamation Unit of Montana State University to help the FS and other similar agencies systematically monitor sites. This handbook will help guide the participant in identifying when there is a need for maintenance on a reclaimed site, identify cleanup methods and technologies that are proven to be effective and identify those that have resulted in poor performance, and provide the FS with data and information that can be used to support ongoing remediation projects. The participant will be responsible for assessing the ease and usability of the Protocols and Handbook.
Participant will spend time in the office and in the field. Activities that the participant may conduct include: A walk through of the entire remediated site, ascertain where different reclamation techniques were implemented and identify locations of historical features, creeks, repositories, adits and shafts, wetlands and features specific to the remediated site. Set up photo points with GPS locations. Assess revegetation success. Take surface and groundwater samples. The participant should be able to solve problems and work independently. Participant may also be asked to work with the USGS on a site specific water sampling project. A completed Government security background check application will be required prior to starting this position. A completed Government security background check application will be required prior to starting this position.
| | Qualifications: | The applicant should have basic coursework in geology or geosciences that includes mineralogy, petrology, and structural geology. Coursework in hydrogeology, geomorphology and engineering geology will make the applicant more competitive. The applicant should be able to work well on their own both in the office and in the field. Applicant should also have basic GPS orientation skills, and be comfortable hiking cross-country in a rugged mountain environment. Other critical skills are field mapping, and air photo interpretation. The applicant must be able to work well independently, both in the office and in the field with little supervision. The applicant should be able to communicate effectively in writing and orally, be comfortable hiking and driving 4-wheel drive vehicles in rough terrain, be able to perform field work in rough terrain, be familiar with Microsoft Word, Excel, have some GIS skills, 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. | | Position Dates: | June – August; 11-12 weeks; start/end dates flexible | | Payment: | $2750; plus $1500 housing allowance | | Housing Available: | The participant will be responsible for finding her/his own housing and will be given a housing allowance of $1,500 to cover the position, in addition to the $2,750 stipend. Please go to: http://www.helenair.com/classifieds/ to see housing opportunities. | Physical/Natural
Environment: | The Helena National Forest is located in West central Montana and contains 975,088 acres. It straddles the Continental Divide and encompasses headwaters of both the Missouri and Columbia River systems. Elevations range from about 3,500 feet to over 9,000 feet. Precipitation varies from 10 to 60 inches across the forest. Vegetative cover varies from rolling grassland interspersed with timber patches at the lower elevations, solid timber on the steeper middle and upper slopes, to sub-alpine types or bare ridges in the high country. Helena is the State's Capital and is located at the junction of I-15 and Highway 12 & 287. For those water enthusiasts, Helena is centrally located to many lakes and rivers. These activities are easily accessed and within a 30-minute drive from the city. Additionally, Helena offers 25 city parks, three golf courses, 17 public tennis courts, and an array of other recreational choices. It is also located roughly half-way between Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks. Indoor choices are just as hard to make! Cultural offerings throughout the year include events sponsored and co-sponsored by the Helena Symphony and Chorale, the Myrna Loy Center for Performing Arts, Holter Museum of Art, Montana Historical Society, the Lewis and Clark Public Library, the Archie Bray Foundation, Grandstreet Theatre, and the Montana Jazz Festival!! Area residents have three hospitals serving the area. They include: St. Peter's Community Hospital, Veterans Administration Hospital; and Shodair Children's Hospital (children's psychiatric and genetic services). This is in addition to the many private physicians and other health care professionals | | Work Environment: | The participant will work out of the Supervisor’s Office in Helena, MT. This position will be split between an office setting using a computer, and the field (usually in a truck or SUV, hard hat required). It is likely participant will work on the Helena, the Beaverhead-Deerlodge and the Lolo National Forests. | | # of current Applicants: | 25 |
If you have questions about the application and selection process, please contact Anny Jones. If you have questions about any aspect of the position — description, qualifications, housing, dates — please contact the primary or secondary contact below:
| | PRIMARY CONTACT INFORMATION | | Contact Name: | Nancy Rusho | | Title: | Regional AML Coordinator | | Street Address: | 200 East Broadway | | City/State/Zip: | Missoula, MT 59801 | | Phone: | 406-329-3634 | | Email: | nrusho@fs.fed.us | | Website: | http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/ |
| | SECONDARY CONTACT INFORMATION | | Contact Name: | Beth Ihle | | Title: | Helena Forest Geologist | | Street Address: | 415 South Front Street | | City/State/Zip: | Townsend, MT 59644 | | Phone: | 406-495-3863 | | Email: | bihle@fs.fed.us | | Website: | http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/helena/ |
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