GSA Online Application System

 

 
 

Public Land Name:
Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests

Position Title:
Field Hydrogeologist

Agency: USFS

Position Type: GeoCorps

Position ID Number:
2015313

Location:
Steamboat Springs, CO

Accepting Applications?

# of current Applicants: 0

Position Description:
The GeoCorps participant will be working with the Forest Service Hydrology, Botany and Range Staff to assist with fluvial geomorphology stream surveys, continue an ongoing spring and wetland inventory focusing on groundwater dependent ecosystems including fens, and conduct riparian health monitoring, and with fisheries staff to implement watershed and fisheries improvement projects. Fieldwork will include mapping springs and wetlands, continuing an inventory which includes collecting data on flow, water chemistry, geologic setting and vegetation. This project includes using hydrogeology maps to assist in determining where springs and wetlands may be located, and then locating springs and wetlands through GPS and topographic maps. The fluvial geomorphology stream surveys will involve collecting stream cross section and longitudinal data using a laser level, doing pebble counts, collecting information on bank stability and greenline monitoring. The participant will also use a variety of techniques to monitor riparian vegetation and overall stream health. This position requires long hours in the field hiking over rough terrain in all types of weather, as well as a knowledge of ArcMap and GPS usage. This position is offered through the Geological Society of America's GeoCorps America Program in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service.

Goals, outcomes, and deliverables:
Summary of work done over the summer and analysis of survey data collected. Analysis will be done using Excel spreadsheets. In addition, provide a map of locations surveyed created with ArcMap.

Agency involvement (project oversight, mentoring, team building, etc.):
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Professional development & learning opportunities: (trainings, certifications, networking, etc.):
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Leadership Development:
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Presenting Project Results:
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Physical/Natural Environment:
The Routt National Forest is bisected by the continental divide and has high mountain peaks and alpine meadows, with elevations ranging from 7,000 feet to over 13,000 feet. The Steamboat Springs area is a structurally complex, glacially sculpted igneous and metamorphic terrane, with local geothermal hot spring development. The area is flanked to the west by gently dipping strata of the Cretaceous Mesaverde Group. The geology of the Routt National Forest is variable depending on which direction you head out of Steamboat Springs. Hot springs at Steamboat Springs bubble up throughout town. Water in these springs, heated by contact with hot rocks deep below the surface, rises rapidly along the fault zone that outlines the western edge of the Parks Range. Parts of Steamboat Springs lie on stream deposited glacial gravel or on the Browns Park formation, deposited in Miocene and Pliocene time as a mixture of dune sand, volcanic ash, silt and pebble stream deposited gravel. West of town the Yampa River valley is underlain by Mancos shale. The Parks range, north of town, was formed by glaciers in the ice age and valleys on both sides of the range head in steep walled cirques and terminate in glacial moraines. Tertiary basalt lava flows cap the Flat Tops near Yampa. The high wide valley of North Park near Walden is a syncline between the faulted anticlines of the Front Range and the Parks Range, with the volcanic Rabbit Ears Range to the southwest. The Rabbit Ears and Parks Range are hard volcanic breccias with volcanic rock fragments embedded in lava. North Park was never glaciated, though its floor is veneered with coarse glacial outwash gravel carried in by streams, which have channeled the former surface of North Park, leaving flat-topped terraces veneered with glacial outwash gravel.

Work Environment:
The participant will work on all three districts of the Routt National Forest and be stationed out of the district office in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Steamboat Springs is a small town of approximately 9,500 people situated at an elevation of 6,700 feet. It is located about 160 miles northwest of Denver, Colorado. The Yampa River runs through town and a number of geothermal hot springs are found in town. Work will consist of moderate field work. The participant will need a good pair of hiking boots, rain gear, and a daypack. Other field equipment will be provided. Some office work will be required to prepare for field work and to document all work. Work will be approximately 70% field and 30% office. Weather in the summer is highly variable with changing conditions. Thunderstorms are likely in the afternoons especially at higher elevations. Temperatures are inversely correlated with elevation. In Steamboat Spring the summer temperature ranges from the 30s and 40s (F) at night to 70s and 80s (F) during the day. The Forest has had widespread die-off of lodgepole pine due to the mountain pine beetle epidemic. The major hazard on the forest is walking over dead trees and being aware of falling trees, you will be required to wear a hard hat when working in areas of lodgepole pine. The Continental Divide splits the forest in half, with the eastern part drained by the North Platte River and the west drained by the Yampa River. Field work will involved hiking both on and off trail and navigating using maps and GPS. The Forest is very large and driving to sites can take up a lot of time, therefore you will be working four 10-hour days (Mon-Thurs).

Qualifications:
Applicants must have completed at least three years toward a degree in the geosciences, including basic coursework in geology, soils, and hydrology. Applicants should be able to work well in both field and office environments with little supervision. This position will involve mostly outdoor work and requires hiking in remote, high elevation areas and on rough terrain. The applicant should have strong map reading, orienteering, and GPS skills. The applicant should have basic ArcMap skills and be able to generate maps and work with GIS data. A government vehicle will be provided and the participant will be required to take a Defensive Driving Course prior to operating a government vehicle. 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.

Vehicle / Driver's License Requirement (If applicable):
{{Used as template for 2020 position; not real, so put it back to 2015}}

Position Dates:
June – September, 2015, start/end dates flexible

Position Duration: 12 weeks

Hourly Wage: $10.80

Housing Details:
Housing will be provided at no cost to the participant by the Routt National Forest. The housing is a government bunkhouse a few blocks from downtown Steamboat Springs. It is about 5 miles or a 25-30 minute bike ride to work from the house. No pets are allowed.

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.

PRIMARY CONTACT INFORMATION
Liz Schnackenberg
North Zone Hydrologist
925 Weiss Drive
Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
 (970) 870-2299
 lschnackenberg@fs.fed.us
Website

SECONDARY CONTACT INFORMATION
[Name here]
[Title here]
[Address here]
Laramie, WY 82070
 (307) 745-2313
 katie.buchan@usda.gov
Website