GSA Online Application System

 

Public Land Name: Buffalo National River Position Title: Karst Hydrologist Agency: NPS Position Type: GeoCorps Position ID Number: 2015621 Location: Harrison, AR Accepting Applications? # of current Applicants: 0 Position Description: Buffalo National River (BNR) was the first river to receive the "National River" designation in America. BNR flows through the thick carbonate sequence of the southern Ozarks, one of the most cave and karst rich areas of North America. The scenery is spectacular with soaring bluffs, deep lazy pools, and exciting rapids. Cave mapping, water quality monitoring, geologic mapping, and dye tracing show complex interactions between surface and ground waters. This complex interaction has recently been placed in the spotlight by activities initiated outside of the park boundary. In 2013 a large Confined Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) for swine was placed on a mojor tributary to the national river. Waste management at the CAFO consists of collecting manure and process waste water into storage pits below the barns and outside uncovered waste storage ponds (WSP). The WSP are built on cave rich limestone. Manure from the WSP are spread on 402 acres of fields. Over 90% of the field areas are underlain by karst. In addition, over 40% of the fields lie within the floodplain of Big Creek. The river is at high risk of contamination by protozoa, bacteria, viruses, nitrates, and phosphorus from this facility. The Karst Hydrologist will assist the park by improving our understanding of the complex interconnectivity between surface and groundwater. The Karst Hydrologist will review current water quality data collection and analysis and dye tracing data; providing advice on additional work that should be completed. The Karst Hydrologist will help to develop funding proposals to achieve this additional work. In addition to these duties, the Karst Hydrologist will assist with cave mapping and condition monitoring, water quality monitoring, review of scientific research proposals and projects, and education and interpretation activities. If you have questions about the application and selection process, please contact GSA's GeoCorps managers.  If you have questions about any aspect of the position — description, qualifications, housing, dates — please direct them to the contact(s) listed in the project description. Remember, application materials can only be submitted online. The project contact(s) will not accept application materials sent to them via e-mail, mail, fax, etc. See the full program details at the GeoCorps homepage.