| Public Land Name: | BLM Arizona Strip District | | Position Title: | Physical Science Technician | | Position ID Number: | 94 | | Location: | Saint George, UT | | Position Description: | The GeoCorps participant will maintain GIS databases containing abandon mines, paleontological resources and mineral exploration drill hole inventories. The abandoned mines are located throughout the District including the Grand Canyon Parashant and Vermilion Cliffs National Monuments. Paleontological resources include significant discoveries of dinosaur trackways in the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. Mineral exploration is conducted by drilling within the Field Office boundary. The participant will perform field inspections and produce all pertinent documentation. The objective is to collect abandon mine, paleontological resource and drill hole data and integrate this data into the GIS databases for monitoring.
Specific tasks include the following:
Pre-field Work: review the resource data to be inventoried; identify drill holes or other features that need to be inspected. Create GPS waypoint files to assist in locating the features to be inspected and upload the waypoints to the GPS.
Field Work: GPS and collect data using a data dictionary, photograph features and surface disturbances; identify paleontological resources, safety hazards (shafts, adits, open pits, open drill holes). Document that drill hole plugging and reclamation is complete or needs to be completed.
Post-field Work: download GPS data; export GPS data into Arc Map; update the GIS database with field data (the table of attributes will be updated based on the field inspections); make ArcMap maps of appropriate scale; fill out Word document inspection forms; download pictures; print copies of pictures or insert the photographs into the MS Word inspection document; submit the inspection document with photographs and ArcMap map.
For the participant's professional growth, we may also include site visits at other types of mineral development operations, or other land management functions.
The participant will learn how to collect, manage, consolidate, and present data in a GIS database that is usable and easily understood; and the basic techniques for mineral exploration, including the principles of reclamation. Prior to starting this position a government security background clearance will be required.
| | Qualifications: | Applicants should have completed at least two years toward a degree in land use or natural resources; coursework in geology or engineering is required. A working knowledge of resource-grade GPS mapping and being proficient in the use of ArcGIS 9.2, Pathfinder Office 3.1, Microsoft Word and Excel is necessary. Applicants must have good organizational skills, an interest in and ability to work in remote locations and must be physically able to work in rugged terrain, extreme temperatures, and to work independently with little supervision. The ability to use topographic maps and a compass for navigation is an asset. A safe driving record and 4x4 off road driving experience is necessary; ATV experience is useful. The selected applicant will need to take a government defensive driving course to operate BLM vehicles.
| | Position Dates: | May - Aug; 12 weeks; start/end dates flexible | | Payment: | $2750; plus $1500 housing allowance | | Housing Available: | A $1,500 housing allowance will be provided in addition to the $2,750 stipend, along with information and suggestions on short-term rentals in the St. George area. The participant is responsible for securing his/her own housing. | Physical/Natural
Environment: | St. George lies within the transition zone between the Colorado Plateau Physiographic Province to the east and the Basin and Range Physiographic Province to the west. The city is primarily built on Triassic rocks that give rise to gently sloping questas. St. George is surrounded by Jurassic bluffs of red sandstone along with Quaternary lava flows that form black ridges. To the North Pine Valley Mountain is one of the world's largest laccoliths composed of granitic rock. It is a desert climate and summertime temperatures regularly exceed 100F. St. George is centrally located within driving distance of seven National Parks and Monuments, numerous wilderness areas, renowned mountain bike trails, and countless outdoor recreation opportunities. | | Work Environment: | Approximately 50% of the work will be outdoors and the remainder indoors. Because of summertime temperatures, the outdoor work schedule is flexible. The town of St. George has most amenities, including a regional airport. Cheaper air fares, however, can be expected out of Las Vegas (2 hours by car) or Salt Lake City (4 hours). | | # of current Applicants: | 4 |
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:
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