| Public Land Name: | Great Smoky Mountains National Park | | Position Title: | Geologist | | Position ID Number: | 233 | | Location: | Gatlinburg, TN | | Position Description: | The GeoCorps participant will work with a multi-discipline natural resource team to assist with the development of a Physical Resources Information and Issues Overview report for Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM). The report will evaluate existing natural resource information pertaining to GRSM and analyze the major natural resource issues within the context of that information. The park is currently re-evaluating its inventory and monitoring program and attempting to focus on priority management issues. This multi-discipline report will assist the park in focusing its efforts to address important management concerns as well as integrate issues across program areas, such as between geology, air, and water. 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 the geosciences or earth sciences. Graduate students in the geoscience or earth science field are preferred. Ability to integrate expertise into other natural resource disciplines (i.e., air and water resources) is important. Previous research, field experience, and writing experience are desirable. The applicant must be able to work well independently, both in the office and in the field, and with other natural resource professionals to integrate natural resource disciplines in defining current conditions and issues. Basic computer skills are required, including working with electronic databases and GIS maps. Desktop publishing skills are desirable. Applicant must have a valid driver’s license and a good driving record. Out-of-state travel may be required; expenses will be paid if this is the case. | | Position Dates: | April - August; 11-12 weeks; start/end dates flexible | | Payment: | $2750; housing provided | | Housing Available: | The park will provide housing at no cost to the participant. Most of the park housing is behind the headquarters and within walking distance of downtown Gatlinburg. Some housing is in more remote areas of the park but is adjacent to park trails, campgrounds, and picnic areas. Most units are houses with 2 to 3 bedrooms and several baths. There are some apartment units (one and two bedroom) that are also available. Housing in the park is generally shared during the peak season. Housing includes pots and pans, dishes and glasses. The participant should bring his/her own bed linens and towels. More specific information will be provided. | Physical/Natural
Environment: | Biological diversity is the hallmark of GRSM, which encompasses over 800 square miles in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. No other area of equal size in a temperate climate can match the park's diversity of plants, animals, and invertebrates. Over 10,000 species have been documented in the park and scientists believe an additional 90,000 species may exist. The park is the largest federally protected upland landmass east of the Mississippi River. Dominated by plant-covered, gently contoured mountains, the crest of the Great Smokies forms the boundary between Tennessee and North Carolina, bisecting the park from northeast to southwest in an unbroken chain that rises more than 5,000 feet for over 36 miles. Elevations in the park range from 875 to 6,643 feet. The Great Smoky Mountains are among the oldest mountains in the world, formed 200-300 million years ago. They are unique in their northeast to southwest orientation, which allowed species to migrate along their slopes during climatic changes such as the last ice age, 10,000 years ago. The glaciers of the last ice age scoured much of North America but did not quite reach as far south as the Smokies. Consequently, these mountains became a refuge for many species of plants and animals that were disrupted from their northern homes. In recognition of the park's unique natural resources, the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) have designated GRSM as an International Biosphere Reserve and the park has also been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With more than nine million annual visitors, it is the most visited national park and is located within a day's drive of two-thirds of the U.S. population. Unfortunately, air pollution, invasive species, and urban encroachment are impacting the natural wonders of the GRSM. | | Work Environment: | The job will include both office and field work environments. Working in the field can involve strenuous physical activity (steep hiking for several hours at altitude (elevation range: 875 to 6,643 feet msl)), and exposure to heights and to weather extremes is possible. Temperatures are 10 to 20 degrees cooler on the mountaintops. Snow may fall in March, but by May daytime highs often reach the 80s. Spring night-time temperatures vary from below freezing in March to the 50s in May. Rainfall is common during the spring season. Summer is hot and humid. July and August highs reach the 80s and 90s. Evening lows are in the 60s and 70s. Fall highs are in the 70s and 80s during September, falling to the 50s and 60s in early November. The participant will receive training in backcountry safety, travel, and navigation. | | # of current Applicants: | 10 |
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 Finley | | Title: | Chief of Resource Management & Science | | Street Address: | 107 Park Headquarters Road | | City/State/Zip: | Gatlinburg, TN 37883 | | Phone: | 865-436-1245 | | Email: | nancy_finley@nps.gov | | Website: | http://www.nps.gov/grsm |
| | SECONDARY CONTACT INFORMATION | | Contact Name: | David Vana-Miller | | Title: | NPS Water Resources Division, Planning Program Lea | | Street Address: | 7333 W. Jefferson Ave. | | City/State/Zip: | Lakewood, CO 80235 | | Phone: | 303-969-2813 | | Email: | David_Vana-Miller@nps.gov | | Website: | http://www.nature.nps.gov/water/planning/ |
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