| Public Land Name: | Denali National Park | | Position Title: | Field Geologist / Paleo Technician (2 Positions) | | Position ID Number: | 22 | | Location: | Denali Park, AK | | Position Description: | The GeoCorps participants will participate in several tasks in the Physical Sciences group at Denali. The primary task will involve reconnaissance search for paleontological features and mapping of the stratigraphy and structure of the Cantwell Formation (sedimentary unit) within the park. This task will involve the inventory of fossils sites, documenting the physical parameters of the feature/site, aquiring GPS coordinates, and phtodocumenting the sites. Specifically, much of the effort on the Cantwell (some 65% of the time) will likely involve searching bedrock on steep mixed soil and rock ridges for fossil material. This work will involve single or multi-day field traverses of target areas with one or two field partners. The participant will sometimes prepare sketches of stratigraphic sections to document the fluvial nonmarine sequences, and particularly note unconformities, and/or paleosoil strata, which may contain fossil evidence as the conditions dictate. Sites will be evaluated for condition as per the existing NPS guidance, including site re-location, fossil type confirmation, site condition assessments, and other documentation.
Participants will also be involved in developing preparing or delivering outreach or educational products through the Murie Science and Learning Center (MSLC) to possibly include geo or paleo posters or display material, talks on geology or paleontology, assisting or leading in park or MSLC field trips, assisting or representing the park regarding outside researcher efforts, or other forms of geoscience application.
The participants will also participate in the oversight of mining claim restoration activities by private contractors. The participant will act as a government contract inspector, observing the contractor activity which can involve mining debris removal, contaminated soils testing and excavation, floodplain and earthwork construction, and revegitaion efforts. The participant will keep a daily diary on the contractor activities, photo document those activities, and otherwise provide NPS supervision on the contract accomplishments. The inspector is only required to document and identify the activities and the report the same to COTR on a timely basis.
Other tasks may include topographic surveys, mine lands restoration assessments, and possibly assisting in geotechnical or mining reclamation activities in various locations in the park. Some required support tasks may include remote camp (wall tent & weatherport) mobilization set-ups, and demobilization.
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 should be pursuing, or have, a degree in the geosciences, and must have completed required coursework in sedimentology, stratigraphy, structure, field methods & mapping. Additional coursework in historical geology, vertebrate or invertebrate paleontology, and/or biostratigraphy would make the applicant more competitive. Some coursework or external experience in engineering or environmental geology would be helpful for the mine restoration tasks. The applicant should be able to work well independently, both in the office and in the field with little supervision, have basic map reading and GPS orientation skills, must be able to interpret aerial photos, and be comfortable hiking cross-country in a rugged mountain environment. Computer skills in Microsoft Excel and database management are required. Applicant must have a valid driver’s license. | | Position Dates: | May 30 - Sept 3; 12 weeks; start/end dates flexible | | Payment: | $2750; housing provided; travel allowance available | | Housing Available: | Housing will be provided at no cost to the participant. Housing is furnished as one or two person cabins (at park headquarters) with stove, refrigerator, sink & cupboards with running cold water. A nearby bath-house has sinks, toilets, showers and laundry facilities are available. Also nearby is a recreation hall, with satellite TV, DVD, pool tables & ping pong, etc. Some field work will involve remote site camping (wall tents or weatherports) which will have cooking stove and utensils and sometimes refrigeration for food storage. Portions of the work will involve backpacking for multiple nights. Backpack camping gear (backpack, tent, sleeping bag, stove cooking pots, etc.) will be supplied by the park. | Physical/Natural
Environment: | Denali is a 6 million acre park with the Alaska Mountain Range as a backbone, replete with extensive glaciers and braided rivers, miles of wet tundra plateaus, and countless glacial lakes and ponds, all capped by the magnificent 20,320 ft Mt. McKinley. The geologic core of the park consists primarily of Paleozoic and Mesozoic marine sedimentary rocks with some Cretaceous and Tertiary plutonic intrusions and volcanic episodes, modified by near continuous tectonic compression and late Tertiary Glaciation. | | Work Environment: | Field work will be performed in a park environment where the terrain is steep, uneven, and rocky. Approaches are frequently lengthy and covered with thick vegetation. Some tasks may require travel on snow or ice (glacier) conditions. Assignments involve backcountry camping in all varieties of weather, and tasks may include moderate to strenuous physical exertion (long periods of standing, hiking, or climbing). Exposure to wildlife (i.e. brown or grizzly bears) is common, and precautions when hiking or camping cannot be emphasized enough. A bear safety orientation course is required at the park. Weather is unpredictable, but summers are usually some days of dry, relatively clear conditions, with intermittent, and sometimes seemingly lengthy, periods of wet, drizzling conditions. Good personal rain-gear is a must, with optional under layers (like fleece) for colder and windier conditions. Much of the paleontological search is on exposed ridge or mountain tops where conditions are often wet, cold and windy. Relatively water resistant hiking boots are good for most of the mountainous work, while some switch to rubber boots for river bar or tundra travel. Don’t forget the bug repellant and/or bug jackets. Interior Alaska’s mosquito reputation is not a trivial issue. Denali, Alaska – 250 miles north of Anchorage, 120 miles south of Fairbanks. Park headquarters is accessible by auto, bus or train. | | # of current Applicants: | 28 |
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: | Phil Brease | | Title: | Geologist | | Street Address: | Denali NP
P.O. Box 9 | | City/State/Zip: | Denali Park, AK 99755 | | Phone: | (907) 683-9551 | | Email: | Phil_Brease@nps.gov | | Website: | http://www.nps.gov/dena |
| | SECONDARY CONTACT INFORMATION | | Contact Name: | Guy Adema | | Title: | Physical Scientist | | Street Address: | P.O. Box 9 | | City/State/Zip: | Denali Park, AK 99755 | | Phone: | (907) 683-6356 | | Email: | guy_adema@nps.gov | | Website: | http://www.nps.gov/dena |
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