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Public Land Name:
Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest and Rocky Mountain Research Station

Position Title:
Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems Survey [SUMMER]

Agency: USFS

Position Type: GeoCorps

Position ID Number:
2015311

Location:
Centennial WY

Accepting Applications?

# of current Applicants: 0

Position Description:
APPLICATIONS ARE STILL BEING ACCEPTED FOR THIS SUMMER OPPORTUNITY. The GeoCorps participants will work with Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station scientists to (1) instrument and collect seasonal data on known springs and groundwater-dependent ecosystems on the Glacier Lakes Ecosystem Experiments Site (GLEES); (2) inventory and characterize springs and groundwater-dependent ecosystems elsewhere on the Medicine Bow- Routt National Forest (MBRNF); (3) assist with additional research and monitoring projects on the MBRNF. This is an extension of a project that was initiated in summer 2011. The participants will install and download temperature loggers in known springs at GLEES; map springs and wetlands elsewhere on the MBRNF, conducting an inventory, including data collection on flow, water chemistry, geologic setting, vegetation, soils characteristics (especially in well-developed peatlands) and indicators of past and present beaver activity.

Goals, outcomes, and deliverables:
Our objectives are to (1) monitor water temperature and seasonal flow at known springs throughout the field season; (2) determine how springs and wetlands are distributed relative to slope, aspect, elevation, distance to streams, underlying geology, and snowpack distribution; (3) to characterize features of the springs and wetlands, including size, geomorphic features, hydrologic features (presence of channels, extent of standing water, flow), and wetland soil properties (depth, organic matter content, color). The inventory data is contributing to research on ecosystem services, monitoring effects of climate change, and characterization of ground-water dependent ecosystems in the southern Rocky Mountains. The spring and wetland data will be incorporated into site and forest-level GIS databases.

Agency involvement (project oversight, mentoring, team building, etc.):
The GeoCorps participants will be paired with scientists from the Rocky Mountain Research Station, but will also interact with resource specialists (hydrologist, botanists) on the Medicine Bow- Routt NF. They will receive training in inventory methods from an experienced hydrogeologist (USFS Groundwater Program) and interact throughout the season with graduate students and staff from the University of Wyoming, who are also studying the hydrology of headwater systems on the forest.

Professional development & learning opportunities: (trainings, certifications, networking, etc.):
The GeoCorps participants will be trained in data and sample collection and work with Forest Service researchers (riparian ecologist and physical scientist) and resource managers. They will be mentored in research methods and wetland and riparian ecology, but also be expected to apply their background knowledge of geology, hydrology, and/or physical sciences.

Leadership Development:

Presenting Project Results:

Physical/Natural Environment:
The Glacier Lakes Ecosystem Experiments Site (GLEES) is located in the Snowy Range, south-eastern Wyoming, on the Medicine Bow National Forest. GLEES is an alpine/subalpine site with a short growing season (elevation: 3300-3500 meters) more of the site is above treeline, with more exposure and greater wind velocity and frequency. Climate varies strongly with elevation, with snow increasing and temperatures decreasing with elevation. The climate is cool and humid with long, cold winters and short, cool summers. Average annual temperature is 0.5 °C, and frost can occur any month of the year. Nearly two-thirds of the precipitation falls as snow from October to May; annual precipitation at headquarters averages 1.2 m. During the field season, rainstorms (sometimes with hail and snow) are typical.

Work Environment:
The participant will work (1) in the Glacier Lakes Ecosystem Experiments Site, located near Centennial, WY (approximately 50-70% of the time); and (2) at various locations throughout the Medicine Bow- Routt National Forest, CO and WY (approximately 30-50% of the time). This is a field position conducted in alpine and subalpine environments. The participant will need a good pair of hiking boots, rain gear, daypack, and back-pack for possible over-night hikes. Other field equipment will be provided. Some office work will be required to prepare for field work and to document all work; lab work will include preparation for water sample collection, some sample processing, and data entry (especially during rain-out days).

Qualifications:
Applicants must be working toward, or already have, a degree in the hydrology or geosciences, including basic coursework in geology, soils, and hydrology. Advanced coursework in these fields will make the applicant competitive, as well as some additional coursework in basic ecology. Applicants should be able to work well in challenging field environments with little supervision. This position will involve mostly outdoor work and require extensive hiking in remote, high elevation areas and on rough terrain. The applicant should have strong map reading, orienteering, and GPS skills in addition to being able to operate a 4WD, manual transmission truck. A government vehicle will be provided and the participant will be required to take 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 will be required in order to travel on personal time.

Vehicle / Driver's License Requirement (If applicable):
We are requesting 2 positions. if we obtain additional funding, one or both positions could potentially be extended.

Position Dates:
June- September; start/end dates flexible

Position Duration: 12 weeks

Hourly Wage: $2,750

Housing Details:
Housing will be provided at no cost to the participant at Centennial Work Center, Centennial, WY. Housing is a dorm situation, with kitchen and bathroom facilities that are shared with other field staff. Personal vehicle is needed for non-work related transportation.

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
Kate Dwire
Research Riparian Ecologist
USFS Rocky Mountain Research Station; 240 West Prospect Road
Fort Collins, CO 80525
 (970) 498-1016
 kadwire@fs.fed.us
Website

SECONDARY CONTACT INFORMATION
David Gloss
Hydrologist
Medicine Bow-Routt National ForestSouth Hwy 130, PO Box 249
Saratoga, WY 82331
 (307) 326-2510
 dgloss@fs.fed.us
Website