| Public Land Name: | Idaho Panhandle National Forest | | Position Title: | Geologist | | Position ID Number: | 84 | | Location: | Coeur d Alene, ID | | Position Description: | The GeoCorps participant will work intermittently with the IPNF Geology & Minerals Staff, but most of the field work will be done independently. The participant will have the opportunity to work with a small interdisciplinary team of Forest Service geologists, soil scientists, hydrologists, fisheries biologists and other specialists in assisting with mining-related projects. The position will involve a combination of both field and office work, depending on the status of current Forest projects. The work will be in support of resource management activities related to active mining plans of operation for locatable minerals (gold and silver), review and inventory of abandoned mine lands (AML) for closures, and assistance with Superfund (CERCLA) clean up projects. As opportunities arise, the participant may be asked to compile existing Minerals Materials (sand, gravel and bedrock quarries) site information. Field work may include: assisting in inspections at active mine sites; assessment of AMLs including the evaluation of physical safety hazards, environmental impacts by mine waste rock and mill tailings, safety closures of mine opening, and habitat restoration; collection of soil, rock and water samples for chemical analysis; and establishment and monitoring of flow and turbidity meters. Training will be provided prior to working independently. Many sites will be accessed by vehicle, although some independent hiking in mountainous, forested terrains will be required. Office work may include: generating reports (including maps and digital photos); working with basic spreadsheets (MS Excel); generating maps using ArcGIS; literature review; and organization and filing of mining plans of operation. A completed Government security background check application will be required prior to starting this position. | | Qualifications: | The applicant should have, or be nearing completion of, a BS degree in geology, geo-engineering, or environmental science with coursework including physical geology, mineralogy, petrology, and stratigraphy. Optional coursework in structural geology, geomorphology and mining-related reclamation work will make the applicant more competitive. The participant should be able to: work well independently, both in the office and in the field with little supervision; have basic topographic map-reading skills; have GPS orientation skills; be able to interpret aerial photos; and be comfortable hiking cross-country in a rugged mountain environment. Computer knowledge in Microsoft Office software (Word and Excel) and ArcGIS is required. Applicant must have a valid driver’s license and be able to complete a 4 wheel drive road test and attend a defensive driving course prior to driving a Forest Service vehicle. Time management skills and organizational ability desired. | | Position Dates: | Jun - Sept; 12 weeks; start/end dates flexible | | Payment: | $2750; plus $2000 housing allowance | | Housing Available: | The participant will be responsible for finding her/his own housing and will be given a housing allowance of $2000 for the 12 weeks. There are many rental options (furnished and non-furnished) available in and near Coeur d'Alene. The Forest Service may be able to assist with housing, if contacted by the participant. A personal vehicle is not required, but is highly advisable. | Physical/Natural
Environment: | The Idaho Panhandle National Forests (IPNF) comprise about 2.5 million acres of public lands, which lie within the scenic "panhandle" of northern Idaho and extend into eastern Washington and western Montana. Approximately 300 miles from the Pacific Ocean, the IPNF is in the east-central part of the Columbia Plateau, with the Cascade Mountains to the west, the Bitterroot Mountains to the east, and the Clearwater Mountains to the south. The area surrounding the IPNF has a long and complex geologic history that has resulted in features ranging from deep, crystal clear glacially carved mountain lakes and streams to the broad, rolling valley of the Rathdrum Prairie carved out by the cataclysmic rush of water from the breaching of Glacial Lake Missoula approximately 13,000 years ago. A large, ancient, continental-scale fault system named the Lewis and Clark line, cuts through the area and provides the plumbing system for the rich silver ores of the famous historic mining camps throughout the region. Metamorphosed sedimentary rocks that are part of the vast Proterozoic Belt Basin make up the bulk of the bedrock exposure in the area, with the exception of a few square miles of 50 to 200 million year-old igneous rocks. The igneous rocks include pillowed and columnar basalt remnants of the massive Columbia River basin flood basalt event that dammed rivers and lakes to form large, fossil-rich lacustrine sections. | | Work Environment: | The participant will work out of the IPNF Supervisor's Office in Coeur d'Alene, ID (population ~35,000) within 30 minutes of Spokane, WA (population ~400,000) where there is a regional airport. Local summer attractions include boating, water skiing, hiking, fishing, parasailing, rock climbing, white water rafting and other outdoor activities. Depending on time of year, weather can be wet and cool or hot and dry – so be prepared for anything. Participant will need a good pair of hiking boots. Other backcountry equipment will be provided. | | # of current Applicants: | 14 |
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: | Mindy Sue Vogel | | Title: | Geologist | | Street Address: | 3815 Schreiber Way | | City/State/Zip: | Coeur d Alene, ID 83815 | | Phone: | 208-765-7452 | | Email: | msvogel@fs.fed.us | | Website: | http://www.fs.fed.us/ipnf/ |
| | SECONDARY CONTACT INFORMATION | | Contact Name: | Jeff Johnson | | Title: | Forest Geologist | | Street Address: | 3815 Schreiber Way | | City/State/Zip: | Coeur d Alene, ID 83815 | | Phone: | 208-765-7442 | | Email: | jkjohnson@fs.fed.us | | Website: | http://www.fs.fed.us/ipnf/ |
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