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Public Land Name:
Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland Position Title:
CANCELLED Assisting Soil and Hydrologic Technician Agency: USFS Position Type: GeoCorps Position ID Number:
2023624, 2023625, 2023626, 2023627 Location:
Wyoming, Laramie (4-6 positions) Accepting Applications? No # of current Applicants: 0 Position Description:
Each project can accept up to 100 applicants. GeoCorps applicants can apply for multiple projects per season. Applicants must complete a cover letter for each project for which they apply.
For current applicants: You are considered a project applicant once you have successfully added the project to your profile while you are logged into your application form. The added project would appear under “POSITIONS YOU HAVE ADDED” for the GeoCorps America Program. You are encouraged to add projects before you complete your application components. In order to be fully considered for any position, you must complete all application components before the application deadline passes on 1 February. Login to your GeoCorps application profile to check the status of your application components, and make sure to complete any remaining items before the deadline passes.
We are seeking 4-6 individuals with an interest in soil science and/or water resources to support fuels reduction projects and contribute to groundwater dependent ecosystem (GDE) surveys across the Laramie, Brush Creek Hayden, and Douglas Ranger Districts. These field going positions will support fuels management projects by conducting surveys for soil and water resources. Candidates will learn to identify and map areas of concern to avoid or minimize resource impacts resulting from fuels treatments. Water resources surveys will include field validation and delineation of existing wetland and stream inventories and traversing through treatment units to identify and map previously unknown wetlands and streams.
Soils resource surveys will include surveying steep slopes for soil stability, digging small pits to identify sensitive soils, and using the Forest Soils Disturbance Monitoring Protocol to collect soils data such as texture, soil structure, and depth of forest floor. This data will inform post-treatment disturbance monitoring to track direct impacts to soil resources from treatment while shining a light on soil disturbance from historic management. The participants will be required to produce reports summarizing observations and findings on a project specific basis. Participants will also have opportunities to assist soil and water resource staff with other project work across the unit.
The GDE surveys are an exciting opportunity to improve our inventory of fens and springs throughout the Forest focusing on the Pole Mountain unit in the Sherman mountains of the Laramie Range. Selected candidates will be trained to identify, map, and collect data about fens and springs using the Forest Service GDE Level I Inventory.
The project is based out of the Laramie Ranger District Office, with most work taking place in the field (90%). The participants will work intermittently with a Forest Service Hydrologist and Soil Scientist, but fieldwork would primarily be completed independently or as a group of two in a backcountry setting. Field work will often involve strenuous physical activity, such as hiking cross country in steep terrain at high altitudes, traversing through jack-strawed timber stands, digging small soil pits, carrying equipment, and/or working in uncomfortable weather for many hours a day. Other equipment will be provided. A typical work week will include four 10-hour days from Monday to Thursday. This work schedule provides three-day weekends for opportunities to explore and enjoy everything Wyoming has to offer! Some field areas are remote and will require multi-day camping trips, although this is currently not anticipated.
This project is offered through the Geological Society of America's GeoCorps America Program, in partnership with the Minerals and Geology Management Program of the USDA Forest Service.
The program encourages participants to follow the same guidance provided to all USDA Goals, outcomes, and deliverables:
By the end of the fuels survey project, the participants will have completed surveys on approximately 1,000 acres of proposed fuels treatment units, organized and summarized all collected data and photos, and written a short report describing observations within each project. This data will be used by zoned Forest Service Hydrology and Soil Science staff to make recommendations for mitigating impacts to soils and water resources.
For the GDE project, all data will be added to the Forest GDE database. The survey efforts will provide data on previously unmapped groundwater dependent ecosystems. Participants will have the opportunity to develop and present a one-day field tour to Forest resource specialists to visit unique fens, explain the GDE protocol, and help coordinate a discussion on potential management impacts to fens. Agency involvement (project oversight, mentoring, team building, etc.):
Individuals selected will be mentored by and report to the zoned Hydrologist and Soil Scientist. There may also be opportunities to work with other resource staff on the Medicine Bow National Forest (e.g., botanist, silviculturist, archeologist, and range specialist). The Forest will provide the selected individuals with Forest and District orientation, project briefing and training, and weekly safety and project update meetings. A Forest Service vehicle will be made available to the individual for work after successful completion of defensive driving training, which will also be provided by the unit. Professional development & learning opportunities: (trainings, certifications, networking, etc.):
The selected individuals will work closely with zoned Soil Scientist and Hydrologist staff. Their knowledge and experience, along with other staff involved with the projects, will serve as a great knowledge base for the selected participants. There will be opportunities to network and develop contacts for future project work or job opportunities. The participants will be exposed to various protocols used in data collection. As they become available, the selected applicant will be encouraged to attend local workshops or trainings. Trainings may include First Aid/CPR, computer security, safety procedures, defensive driving, and GIS. Participants may also be provided with opportunities to learn from other resource staff and gain exposure to other resources. By the end of the project term participants gain knowledge of surveying for soil and water resources, become familiar with ArcGIS Online and Survey 123, and strengthen interpersonal skills for working effectively on a small field crew. Leadership Development:
Individuals will be assigned specific projects to complete and be responsible for data summaries for their project. Project leads will be responsible for leading safety discussions and organizing on the ground plans for surveys. Presenting Project Results:
Participants will be summarizing observations and data for projects into small reports and used by Forest Hydrologists or Soil Scientists to make resource specific recommendations during Forest project planning and implementation. Physical/Natural Environment:
The Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests extend from north central Colorado to central Wyoming. The Forests encompass portions of many mountain ranges including the Gore Range, Flat Tops, Parks Range, Medicine Bow Mountains, Sierra Madre, and Laramie Range. Work Environment:
The participant will work out of the Laramie Ranger District Office. Some office work will be required to prepare for field work and to document all work. Work will be approx. 90% field, 10% office. Qualifications:
Preferred applicants will have completed at least two years of college-level education in pursuit of a Bachelor's degree in hydrology, soil science, geology, physical science, or related areas of study. Ideal candidates will have some coursework in water resources and/or soil science and a strong interest in learning to apply that knowledge to support public land management projects. The participants should be able to work independently and/or in a small crew in the field with little oversight, have basic map reading and GPS orientation skills, and be comfortable hiking cross-country in a rugged mountain environment. Applicants must be able to start work between mid-May and early June and commit to a full 12 weeks.
The applicant must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent legal resident (Green Card holder). Prior to starting this position, the participant will need to pass a background check either with the host agency, GSA’s staffing partner Actalent, or both.
Vehicle / Driver's License Requirement (If applicable):
Applicant must have a valid U.S. driver’s license and a good driving record. A Forest Service vehicle will be available for job duties upon completion of Forest Defensive Driving training and completing all requirements specified by the Forest Service Fleet Manager. Prior experience operating four-wheel drive vehicles in rough terrain is preferred. A personal vehicle is strongly recommended due to limited public transit options and the many outstanding recreational opportunities to explore during three-day weekends. Position Dates:
June 6, 2023 - August 26, 2023 (flexible within a two-week window) Position Duration: 12 weeks Hourly Wage: $16.30/hour Housing Details:
Government housing is not available, and participants will be responsible for finding their own housing. During the summer, there are usually many opportunities to sublet apartments vacated by university students. The Forest plans to provide additional support in the form of either an extra payment or higher hourly wage to the participant to help offset local housing expenses. 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
Mike Kasten
Soil Scientist
2468 W Jackson St.
Laramie, WY 82070
 307-745-2427
 michael.kasten@usda.gov
 Website SECONDARY CONTACT INFORMATION
Lucie Law
Hydrologist
2468 W Jackson St.
Laramie, WY 82070
307-745-2399
lucie.law@usda.gov
Website
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