| Public Land Name: | Antietam National Battlefield | | Position Title: | Karst Management Technician | | Position ID Number: | 19 | | Location: | Sharpsburg, MD | | Position Description: | The GeoCorps participant will work on projects related to the geology of the Antietam National Battlefield and will collect and analyze data to show the relationship between Antietam’s karst and water resources. The majority of the park is underlain by limestone with many caves and sinkholes being present. The weathering of the limestone over time has resulted in many interesting outcrops that are visible to park visitors. In addition, calcareous shale and dolomite can be observed in outcrops across the landscape. The GeoCorps participant will create a brochure that will describe the geologic history of the park and show visitors where they can find examples of rocks along Antietam’s hiking trails. Visitors will then be able to learn about the processes that have shaped the landscape by actually viewing the rocks themselves. In addition, the participant will examine and gather information on the park’s caves and sinkholes using a scoping camera.
A water program was initiated in 1999 to monitor water quality in springs across the park with changing landscapes and human impacts. Each month, the GeoCorps participant will monitor Antietam’s springs for depth, pH, alkalinity, conductivity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, nitrates, and orthophosphates. The data will be entered into a database and the participant will assist with data analysis. Partnering with the USGS, Antietam began a study of the hydrologic characterization of the karst aquifer in 2007. This project will provide insight into the pathways and processes of temporal water-quality changes in karst terrain. Past GeoCorps participants played an important role in the success of the study in 2007 and 2008 and will be a key component to the continuity of the project in 2009. Hourly discharge is automatically recorded on the Mumma spring by a transducer and weir and hourly precipitation is recorded by a remote automated weather station. The participant will organize the data into a water resources database. In addition, water quality samples will be collected weekly near the transducer, nutrient data will be collected from the Mumma Spring during and after rain events, and park well depths will be measured weekly. The GeoCorps participant will collect all data and will assist in data analysis. As time allows, a correlation between vegetation and soil types and the geologic formations will be described and mapped, utilizing current literature and techniques. Prior to starting this position a government security background clearance will be required. This position is offered through the Geological Society of America's GeoCorps America Program in partnership with the National Park Service’s Geoscientists-in-the-Parks Program.
| | Qualifications: | Applicants must have completed at least three years toward an undergraduate degree in geology. Must have course work related to karst topography, geologic history, geomorphology, hydrogeology, or soil and vegetation associations with geology (geoecology). In addition, GPS and GIS skills are highly desired. The applicant should be able to work well independently, both in the office and in the field with little supervision. Applicant must have a valid driver’s license. | | Position Dates: | May to August; 12 weeks; start/end dates flexible | | Payment: | $2750; housing provided | | Housing Available: | Housing will be provided at no cost to the participant in NPS quarters near Sharpsburg. Housing will be in a two-story house that could be shared with at most 4 other people. A personal vehicle is highly advisable. All linens/pillows are the responsibility of the participant. A full kitchen with cooking supplies is available. | Physical/Natural
Environment: | The Antietam National Battlefield is located in western Maryland, in the Great Valley of the Ridge and Valley physiographic province. Antietam’s terrain is characterized by rolling hills, with the Elk Ridge prong of the Blue Ridge Mountains being visible to the east. The geology of Antietam is dominated by limestone and karst topography, with springs, outcrops, caves, and sinkholes being characteristic. The Cambrian-aged limestone ranges from being dark and impure, with siliceous shaly zones, to being light blue and siliceous, weathering to sandy and oolite-containing beds. Calcareous shales are also common and weather into platy slabs, visible along road cuts. Dolomite is present as well in the area. The various rock types can be observed in numerous outcrops. | | Work Environment: | The Antietam National Battlefield is located in western Maryland, in the Great Valley of the Ridge and Valley physiographic province. Antietam’s terrain is characterized by rolling hills, with the Elk Ridge prong of the Blue Ridge Mountains being visible to the east. The geology of Antietam is dominated by limestone and karst topography, with springs, outcrops, caves, and sinkholes being characteristic. The Cambrian-aged limestone ranges from being dark and impure, with siliceous shaly zones, to being light blue and siliceous, weathering to sandy and oolite-containing beds. Calcareous shales are also common and weather into platy slabs, visible along road cuts. Dolomite is present as well in the area. The various rock types can be observed in numerous outcrops. | | # of current Applicants: | 6 |
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: | Ed Wenschhof | | Title: | Chief Ranger, Division of Natural Resources Management & Protection | | Street Address: | Antietam National Battlefield
302 E. Main St. P.O. Box 158 | | City/State/Zip: | Sharpsburg, MD 21782 | | Phone: | 301-432-2243 | | Email: | Ed_wenschhof@nps.gov | | Website: | http://www.nps.gov/anti |
| | SECONDARY CONTACT INFORMATION | | Contact Name: | Lindsey Donaldson | | Title: | Biological Science Technician | | Street Address: | Antietam National Battlefield
302 E. Main St. P.O. Box 158 | | City/State/Zip: | Sharpsburg, MD 21782 | | Phone: | 301-432-2243 | | Email: | Lindsey_Donaldson@nps.gov | | Website: | http://www.nps.gov/anti |
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