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Public Land Name:
Assateague Island National Seashore

Position Title:
Groundwater Hydrologist [Guest Scientist]

Agency: NPS

Position Type: GuestScientist

Position ID Number:
2015060

Location:
Berlin, MD

Accepting Applications?

# of current Applicants: 0

Position Description:
The purpose of this position is to assist with the design and implementation of a long term groundwater monitoring program for Assateague Island National Seashore. The Seashore has been identified as one of the 25 national parks most at risk from the effects of global climate change. Accelerated sea level rise, more frequent and intense storm events, rising temperatures, and changes in patterns of precipitation are all expected to drive significant ecological change. Fresh ground water resources are thought to be among the most vulnerable natural resources along Assateague. The potential for climate-driven changes in the quantity and quality of Seashore ground water resources have become a significant park management concern. This project will identify and analyze trends within a new groundwater data set and assist with the development of an overall strategy and protocol for long term monitoring of this vulnerable resource. The resulting protocol will be utilized to address the following questions: 1) How will predicted sea level rise scenarios affect the quantity, spatial extent, and quality of ground water resources? 2) How will the predicted increase in storm intensity and frequency affect water quality in freshwater ponds? 3) How will increased air temperature and the potential for longer and more severe droughts affect ground water resources and freshwater ponds? 4) How will conversion of salt marsh to tidal mud flats and open water (a potential consequence of SLR) affect the island’s ground water resources? 5) How will changes associated with fresh ground water availability affect resident T&E species? 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.

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.