|
Public Land Name:
Sierra National Forest, Supervisors Office Position Title:
Soil Science Assistant Agency: USFS Position Type: GeoCorps Position ID Number:
2015319 Location:
Clovis, CA Accepting Applications? # of current Applicants: 0 Position Description:
The participant will work on several projects including assessing soil conditions for planned fuel and timber projects, Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Soil Monitoring, assessing meadows for restoration, inventorying and monitoring caves in the Kings River Geological Area and Giant Sequoia National Monument.
Assess pre-treatment and post-treatment soil conditions in areas proposed and treated for fuel reduction and timber harvest. Pre-treatment soil condition data will be used to characterize soil condition and establish baseline soil condition. Post-treatment soil condition data will be used to determine if the project resulted in meeting soil quality management objectives. Work will include collecting and analyzing soil bulk density samples, determining soil cover and testing for soil compaction along pre-determined transects using the Forest Service National Soil Monitoring Protocol.
Conduct OHV Soil monitoring to determine if system trails are meeting soil quality management objectives. Soil monitoring will use the Region 5 OHV Soil Monitoring Protocol endorsed by the State of California and used in the state Green Sticker Program. Work could include collecting soil moisture and soil strength data for an OHV Soil Moisture Monitoring Project in the Miami Basin OHV area.
Assess meadow condition by 1) determining the magnitude of conifer encroachment into meadows in non-wilderness areas of the Sierra National Forest, especially in the Whiskey Creek Planning Area, using a combination of sequential aerial photos and existing GIS layers. 2) Conduct a field assessment of selected meadows to: validate and correct the results of the aerial photo analysis; assess current meadow condition and past stressors, and use this to determine the likely causes of meadow degradation and conifer encroachment; determine the relative roles of surface and ground water in sustaining meadow vegetation and controlling conifer encroachment. Piezometers may be installed in some of meadows pending an environmental assessment and approval.
Monitor and Inventory caves in the Giant Sequoia National Monument, Kings Cavern Geologic Interest Area and the Kaiser Wilderness Cave Area to determine conditions of speleothems and use of the cave by recreationists. Data will be collected to determine significance of caves according to the Federal Cave Resources Protection Act of 1988.
The primary projects will be the pre-treatment and post-treatment soil condition assessment project and the meadow condition assessment project. As time allows OHV Soil Monitoring and Cave Monitoring and Inventory will be conducted. Job hazards will be addressed through the Forest Service Safety Program. The GeoCorp Intern will accompany and assist the Forest Geologist on on-going projects and walk-in requests that require field work and/or geologic assessment for the requested project. On going projects could be located on the Stanislaus National Forest, Sierra National Forest, Giant Sequoia National Monument, and Sequoia National Forest. Goals, outcomes, and deliverables:
A complete report with maps and figures will be produced on at least one project. Map will be produced using GIS software. Analysis of data in the form of spreadsheet data, charts and tables could also be produced as data for other projects underway by Sierra National Forest Soils staff. Depending on the interest of the intern an abstract of one of the projects could be submitted to the 2013 GSA Annual Meeting for an oral or poster presentation. (GSA abstract deadline is approximately early/mid-August.) Agency involvement (project oversight, mentoring, team building, etc.):
Participant will work under the direction of the Forest Soil Program Manager and Forest Soil Scientist. In addition, intern will work most of the time with another person while they are in the field. Professional development & learning opportunities: (trainings, certifications, networking, etc.):
Opportunities for learning and using Geographical Information System (GIS) software will be provided including downloading GPS data into GIS map projects. Training and use of field PC will be provided in soil data collection projects. Training will include basic online training courses in GIS as well as using GIS and GPS in work projects. Leadership Development:
Presenting Project Results:
Physical/Natural Environment:
The Sierra National Forest is located in Central California between Yosemite National Park and Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park. The Sierra National Forest has predominantly granitic bedrock with metamorphic roof pendants, and some volcanic rocks. The higher elevations have been glaciated leaving as evidence spectacular glacial moraines, cirque basins, and glaciated valleys. The forest has five Wilderness Areas that include the Monarch Wilderness, Dinkey Lakes Wilderness, John Muir Wilderness, Ansel Adams Wilderness, and the Kaiser Wilderness. Work Environment:
The participant will work out of the Sierra National Forest Supervisor’s Office located in Clovis, CA. Clovis is a full service community located adjacent to Fresno, CA and about 3 hours from the Pacific Ocean. Typical weather in the summer has highs in the low to high 90’s. Work will consist of moderate fieldwork including climbing steep slopes and accessing narrow passages in caves. The applicant should be able to carry a 40 lb. back pack. Participant will need a good pair of hiking boots. Other field equipment will be provided. Working on Saturdays is sometimes required. As with any scientific field, office work will be required to prepare for field work and to document all work. Mentor will try to get intern into the field at least 75% of the time. A car is not necessary but is highly encouraged to explore some of our great National Parks and the coastal area. Be prepared to go into the field on your first day. Qualifications:
Applicant should have basic course work in geology or soils that includes Geomorphology, Hydrogeology, and Introduction to Soils. Optional course work in Soil Morphology, Soil Classification, General Botany, Plant Ecology and GIS would make the applicant more competitive. The applicant should be able to work well on their own and with a crew, both in the office and in the field, have good map reading and orientation skills, able to interpret aerial photos, and be equally comfortable hiking cross country in a rugged mountain environment one day and spending the next day at a computer. The applicant should have a valid drivers license. Applicants will be expected to provide a DMV report on their driving record in order to drive Forest Service vehicals. Vehicle / Driver's License Requirement (If applicable):
Position Dates:
Starting late May or June and ending late July or August, 2015, with some flexibility to the start/end dates (within reason). Position Duration: 12 weeks Hourly Wage: $2,750 Housing Details:
Interns will be expected to find their own housing and will be given a housing allowance of $2000 to cover the 12 week position. Please go the http://fresno.craigslist.org/apa/ or http://www.fresnobee.com/classifieds/category/Rentals websites to see local housing opportunities. Mentor will provide information on apartments in the area or possible room mate opportunities.Interns will be expected to find their own housing and will be given a housing allowance of $2000 to cover the 12 week position. Please go the http://fresno.craigslist.org/apa/ or http://www.fresnobee.com/classifieds/category/Rentals websites to see local housing opportunities. Mentor will provide 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
Alan Gallegos
Southern Sierra Province Geologist (Sierra NF, Seq
Sierra National Forest1600 Tollhouse Road
Clovis, CA 93611
 (559) 297-0706
 ajgallegos@fs.fed.us
 Website SECONDARY CONTACT INFORMATION
Steve Ostoja
Ecosystem Management Staff Officer
Sierra National Forest1600 Tollhouse Road
Clovis, CA 93611
(559) 297-0706
stevenmostoja@fs.fed.us
Website
|
GSA Online Application System
APPLY NOW
