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APPLY NOW   Public Land Name: Willamette National Forest, McKenzie River and Middle Fork Ranger Districts Position Title: Hydrogeology Research Assistant Agency: USFS Position Type: GeoCorps Position ID Number: 2015326 Location: McKenzie Bridge, OR and Westfir, OR Accepting Applications? # of current Applicants: 0 Position Description: The GeoCorps participant would be working with Forest Service personnel to inventory and map springs and wetlands on the McKenzie River and the Middle Fork Ranger Districts of the Willamette National Forest. The GeoCorps participant will use a national inventory protocol that characterizes springs and wetlands based on such factors as size, geomorphic features, hydrologic features (presence of channels, extent of standing water, flow) and the habitat created by these features. The data will contribute to research on ecosystem services, monitoring effects of climate change and human impacts, and characterization of springs and wetlands on lands managed by the Willamette National Forest. The spring and wetland data will be incorporated into a GIS database for use by managers and scientists. The inventories would build on the efforts of past research and mapping. A final report will summarize data and any findings. Local scientists and Forest Service personnel will be available to the participant to provide mentorship and training. During the first portion of the project, the participant will be stationed out of the McKenzie River Ranger Station while the second half will be out of the Middle Fork Ranger Station. 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: Participant will update the Willamette National Forest’s portion of the national GDE database, provide field notes and completed data on GDE features, and compile a photo log of spring and wetland features (soil cores, plants, geologic features). Upon completion of the project, a map with GPS locations of all sampled springs and wetlands, and a final report will be required. Agency involvement (project oversight, mentoring, team building, etc.): The participant will be provided Forest Service new employee orientation training and project specific training during their first month. The participant will have daily oversight by the District Hydrologist (s) though they may not go into the field with the intern on a daily basis, and the participant will be expected to work at least part of their time in the field by themselves. Professional development & learning opportunities: (trainings, certifications, networking, etc.): The participant will have the opportunity to go to Forest Service hosted GIS training as needed. The participant will be encourage to develop solve problems and gather information for the research project using their own networks and well as to develop new ones through the local university and Agency staff. The Forest Service work lead (s) will steer the participant towards likely mentors inside the agency as well as outside of it. Leadership Development: Presenting Project Results: Physical/Natural Environment: The Willamette National Forest is a large, complex forest, encompassing over 1.6 million acres in Oregon, which stretches for 110 miles along the western slopes of the Cascade Mountain Range. There are four Districts on the Forest that roughly correspond with four sub-basins of the Willamette River basin: North Santiam, South Santiam, McKenzie River and Middle Fork Willamette sub-basins. It is known for its numerous volcanic peaks, the forested Cascade Range, and its outstanding rivers ( www.fs.fed.us/r6/willamette/). The elevation of the Forest ranges from about 1,500 feet (460 m) above sea level on the western edge of the forest to almost 10,500 feet (3,200 m) at the top of Mount Jefferson, Oregon's second highest peak. The Willamette National Forest receives 80 to 150 inches (2,000 to 3,800 mm) of precipitation each year, much of which falls in the form of snow accumulating in higher elevations from October through April. The rain and snow melt drain into the McKenzie, Santiam and Willamette Rivers, which flow from the Forest and provide high quality drinking water to the citizens of Eugene, Salem, Corvallis, and Albany. There are over 1,500 miles (2,400 km) of rivers and streams on the Forest and over 375 lakes. The McKenzie River watershed is the source of most of the available water is the Cascade Mountains. Like most of the Willamette National Forest, it includes two distinct geologic provinces: the High and Western Cascades. The older Western Cascades relies on shallow, sub-surface flow which manifests itself in a surface water dominated hydrology with high flashy flows in winter and low flows in late summer. The young, lava-dominated High Cascades systems are extremely porous, and precipitation is filtered and stored in a sponge-like deep aquifer. Residing in this aquifer for up to 10 years, water then emerges at several springs at near freezing temperatures and very consistent flow year round. These springs of the McKenzie River support the stronghold population of bull trout in the Willamette basin ( visitmckenzieriver /new/mckenzie-river/geology). Work Environment: The participant will need a good pair of hiking boots, rain gear, and a daypack. Other field equipment will be provided. The participant will often be working by themselves. Supstantial office work will be required to prepare for field work and to document all work. Lab work may also be needed. Qualifications: Applicants must be working toward, or already have, a degree in hydrology or geosciences, including basic coursework in geology, soils, and hydrology. Advanced coursework in these fields as well as some additional coursework in basic ecology will make the applicant competitive. Applicants should be self-motivated and be able to work well with little to no supervision. This position will involve outdoor work in challenging field environments and requires hiking in remote, high elevation areas and on rough terrain often by one’s self. The applicant should have strong map reading, orienteering, and GPS skills in addition to being able to operate a 4WD vehicle. Strong applicants should have intermediate ArcMap skills and be able to generate maps, work with GIS data, and edit geodatabases. A government vehicle will be provided, and the participant will be required to pass a Defensive Driving Course prior to operating a government vehicle. Applicants must have a valid driver’s license and will be expected to provide a DMV report on their driving record in order to drive Forest Service vehicles. A private vehicle is highly recommended in order to travel on personal time. 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): Local scientists and Forest Service personnel will be available to the intern to provide mentorship and training. Position Dates: Late May - September, 2014, start/end dates flexible Position Duration: 12 weeks Hourly Wage: $2,750 Housing Details: Housing will be provided at no cost to the participant. Housing is a dorm situation, with separate kitchen and shower facilities. Housing locations are remote and a private vehicle is highly recommended in order to travel on personal time. 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 Bonny Hammons Hydrologist 57600 McKenzie Hwy McKenzie Bridge, OR 97413  (541) 822-7205  bhammons@fs.fed.us Website SECONDARY CONTACT INFORMATION Johan Hogervorst Forest Hydrologist 3106 Pierce Parkway, Suite D Springfield, OR 97477  (541) 225-6430  JHogervorst@fs.fed.us Website