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| Public Land Name: | Mount Rainier National Park | | Position Title: | Geomorphology / Glaciology Technician | | Agency: | NPS | | Position ID Number: | 2012001 | | Location: | Ashford, WA | | Position Description: | Under the Regional Geomorphologist’s supervision, the technician will assist a master’s student in a field project mapping all of Mount Rainier’s glaciers. In addition to mapping the spatial extent of the glaciers, particular care will be taken to field identify the termini of the glaciers, and identifying areas with ice-cored rock, and differentiating stagnant (versus active, moving) ice. (Note that debris covered ice can be either active or stagnant.) In the past, stagnant (non-moving) ice has been associated with destructive glacier outburst floods (jökulhaups) and debris flows.
The objective of the project is to know the true spatial extents of the glaciers, including rock and debris covered ice that is usually not mapped correctly in earlier surveys. In addition, they will characterize the bedrock topography surrounding stagnant ice masses, as certain configurations are much more prone to producing destructive glacier outburst floods or jökulhaups.
A secondary objective is to assess and refine recent estimates of glacier area (and to the extent possible volume) change.
The information on stagnant ice and surrounding bedrock configurations collected by this project will be further analyzed by other on-going park projects, in the context of outburst flood and debris flow potential.
Glacial extent and ice status are important to know for many reasons, including: (1) climate change; (2) regional hydrology; (3) ecological impacts (temperature and water quality); (4) the public’s insatiable curiosity about glaciers; and, perhaps most importantly, (5) geologic risks from glacier-sourced debris flows.
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.
| | Materials to be produced by participant: | Map of glacier extents, surrounding bedrock, and ice and debris status. A final report will be produced that discusses the methods for gathering data, the analyses conducted, and the results of the analyses.
Additionally, the report will include maps (supplied in digital format) of all Mount Rainier glaciers with ice extents and ice types (active, stagnant) listed. The report will also include a bibliography of the information and data sources that were compiled in this task (this information will be included in an appendix to the project report).
| | Qualifications: | Masters degree student (or higher) preferred, in geomorphology, geology, glaciology or a related field. Field mapping skills and knowledge of GIS and GPS important. Ability to hike steep, alpine terrain in varying weather conditions is required. Glacier travel experience is a strong plus. Applicant must have a valid driver’s license and a good driving record. Prior to starting this position a government security background clearance will be required. | | Position Dates: | Late spring to early fall, with flexible start/end dates. | | Position Duration: | 12 weeks | | Stipend: | $2,750 | Travel Allowance:
(For non-local candidates) | $250 | | Housing Allowance: | $0 | | Housing Details: | Park will provide housing at no cost to the participant. Private or semi-private room with shared kitchen, bath, and laundry facilities. Housing may be located either within the park at Longmire, or nine miles outside the park at Tahoma Woods. A personal vehicle is recommended, but not necessary. Cell phone reception may be poor or non-existent in most areas of the park. | Physical/Natural
Environment: | Mount Rainier is an active volcano blanketed with more than a cubic mile of glacial ice and permanent snow. It presents significant hazards for the Puget Sound communities downstream, in the form of outburst floods, lahars, and debris flows. The processes that created and re-create this inspiring beauty continue today. The geologic story of Mount Rainier is the source of its striking scenery, diverse flora and fauna and life zones, weather patterns, and recreation. The mountain was set aside as a national park in 1899 as an outstanding example of volcanic and alpine scenery and processes. The Nisqually Glacier is one of the longest-studied in North America. On November 6th and 7th of 2006, the park had a record-breaking rain event, causing massive flooding, a great deal of infrastructure damage, and debris flows. For more information, visit the park's website at http://www.nps.gov/mora. | | Work Environment: | Involves considerable field work, in wilderness terrain, walking over rough and uneven surfaces, and exposure to sun, wind, rain, snow cold and other environmental hazards. The trails are steep or non-existent in many places. The offices are simple, but provide the essentials of a work environment. Cell phone reception is poor or non-existent in most areas of the park. | | # of current Applicants: | 21 |
If you have questions about the application and selection process, please contact Matthew Dawson. If you have questions about any aspect of the position — description, qualifications, housing, dates — please contact the primary or secondary contact below. The Primary and Secondary Contacts will not accept application materials sent to them via e-mail, mail, fax, etc. See the full Mosaic program details at the Mosaics in Science home-page. | | PRIMARY CONTACT INFORMATION | | Contact Name: | Paul Kennard | | Title: | Regional Fluvial Geomorphologist | | Street Address: | Mount Rainier National Park 55210 238th Avenue East | | City/State/Zip: | Ashford, WA 98304-9751 | | Phone: | (360) 569-6743 | | Email: | paul_kennard@nps.gov | | Website: | http://www.nps.gov/mora |
| | SECONDARY CONTACT INFORMATION | | Contact Name: | Scott Beason | | Title: | Park Geologist | | Street Address: | Mount Rainier National Park 55210 238th Avenue East | | City/State/Zip: | Ashford, WA 98304-9751 | | Phone: | (360) 569-6781 | | Email: | scott_beason@nps.gov | | Website: | http://www.nps.gov/mora |
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