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APPLY NOW   Public Land Name: Colville National Forest Position Title: CLOSED Field Hydrology Technical Assistant Agency: USFS Position Type: GeoCorps Position ID Number: 2024606, 2024631, 2024632 Location: Washington State, Newport (3 positions) Accepting Applications? No # of current Applicants: 52 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 2 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. Apply by 2 February. The GeoCorps participant will be working with the Forest Service Hydrology staff to carry out the following: This position will primarily hiking and driving in rough terrain to assess the hydrologic impacts from the forest service roads system and potential areas for slope failures• Additional opportunities to assist with fluvial geomorphology stream surveys • Support an ongoing spring and wetland inventory focusing on groundwater dependent ecosystems including fens • Conduct riparian health monitoring in support of timber, fuels and recreation projects. Fieldwork will include mapping springs, wetlands, illegal motorized routes prioritized for rehabilitation, culverts and continuing an inventory which includes collecting data on sediment inputs, erosion hazard, vegetation and overall watershed health as it relates to management activities. This project includes using hydrogeology maps to assist in determining where springs and wetlands may be located, and then locating springs and wetlands through GPS and topographic maps. The fluvial geomorphology stream surveys will involve collecting stream cross section and longitudinal data using a laser level, doing pebble counts, collecting information on bank stability and greenline monitoring. Some physical labor may be required for restoration projects (seeding, erosion mat placements and fencing). The participant may work with a partner or independently. This position requires long hours in the field hiking over rough terrain in all types of weather, as well as a knowledge of ArcGIS Pro and GPS usage. Previous experience driving on rough forest roads is beneficial. This project is offered through the Geological Society of America's GeoCorps America Program, in partnership with the Lands, Minerals, and Geology Washington Office of the USDA Forest Service. The program encourages participants to follow the same guidance provided to all USDA Forest Service employees and partners, which is to follow CDC guidance and stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and boosters that protect against the new and most prevalent variants. Goals, outcomes, and deliverables: The participant can expect to produce a summary of the work done over the summer with an emphasis on issues found within the assessed roads and slope, and also complete analysis of the collected survey data. Data will be collected using ESRI Survey123 and Field Maps. The analysis will be done using Excel spreadsheets and preparing a concise report. In addition, the participant will update a map of the surveyed locations using ArcGIS Pro/Field Maps. A template will be provided. Agency involvement (project oversight, mentoring, team building, etc.): The participant will engage in the seasonal employee orientation to cover basic safety and operating in the forest environment. This will include: Driving a FS vehicle on Forest roads, vehicle maintenance, how to use a radio, check-in and check-out procedures, wildlife interactions, reporting a wildfire, tree identification, First aid and CPR etc. The participant will be partnered with Forest Service staff for at least the first 2 weeks for training. If the participant is comfortable, they may have opportunities to work independently but will otherwise be partnered up. Professional development & learning opportunities: (trainings, certifications, networking, etc.): Staff will educate the participant on the many aspects of public land management on the Colville National Forest, including travel management, watershed restoration, sustainable timber harvest, fuels reduction, rangeland management, working with partners (tribal, state, county, non-profit). Trainings will include basic GIS, data management in the Forest Service, Survey123 and field maps. The participant will work with the Hydrologist directly on how to assess the hydrologic stability and landslide hazard of roads and inventory ground water dependent ecosystems. This will allow them a good foundation for the field work to be completed. The participant will have many opportunities to work with other resources to see what a career at the Forest Service would be like. Leadership Development: The participant will have the opportunity to participate in interdisciplinary groups, contributing to general leadership experience. Though this is not a leadership position, by completing the orientation training, being trained by an FS staff member and ultimately working successfully as part of a team, they will have a good foundation for leadership positions in future years. The participant can demonstrate leadership skills by taking initiative on safety training, vehicle maintenance, equipment care and data stewardship. Successful development of these skills will translate across public lands jobs and provide a good background for future employment. Most FS employees start as summer seasonal positions and the opportunity to work in an interdisciplinary environment with GIS, Range, Botany, Wildlife, Fisheries, Archaeology, Fuels Management, Wildfire Suppression, Recreation, Silviculture, Timber Harvest and Management, Visitor Services and Soil Sciences is one of the broadest networking opportunities available in public lands and helps participant find career paths that are relevant to them and make a difference in sustaining the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. Past participants have gone onto work with the BLM, Gallatin County Conservation District and in the private sector. Presenting Project Results: The participant may be asked to present the findings from their project to local USDA Forest Service staff near the conclusion of the project. The participant is also encouraged to present their results at a GSA Annual Meeting or GSA Section Meeting. Physical/Natural Environment: The Colville National Forest is a 1.1 million acre forest that was first shaped more than 10,000 years ago by Ice Age glaciers that carved three major valleys of today's Columbia, San Poil-Curlew, and Pend Oreille River flowing north into Canada before entering the Columbia River. Work Environment: The participant will work out of the district office. Some office work will be required to prepare for field work, and to document all work. Work will be approximately 80% field and 20% office. Qualifications: Applicants must have completed at least one year toward a degree in the geosciences, including basic coursework in geology, ecology, soils, and hydrology. Applicants should be able to work well in both field and office environments with little supervision. This position will involve mostly outdoor work and requires hiking and physical labor in remote, high-elevation areas and on rough terrain. The applicant should be willing to be a team player as well as work independently sometimes. The applicant should have strong map reading, orienteering, and GPS skills. The applicant should have basic ArcGIS Pro skills and be able to generate maps and work with GIS data. A government vehicle will be provided and the participant will be required to take a Defensive Driving Course prior to operating a government vehicle. br br Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. legal permanent resident (Green Card holder). Applicants must have a valid driver's license from a U.S. state or U.S. territory (i.e., Puerto Rico) and a good driving record. Prior to starting this position, the participant will need to pass a background check either with the host agency, GSA’s staffing partner, or both. p strong Applicants must be eligible to participate in Public Lands Corps, which means applicants must also: ul li Be between 18-30 years old inclusive during the timeframe they would em finish /em the project (military veterans are permitted to be up to 35 years old during participation) /li li Have a high school diploma or GED /li /ul /strong em Compliance with Public Lands Corps eligibility requirements is defined by the legislation supporting Public Lands Corps opportunities (16 U.S. Code § 1723 - Public Lands Corps program). a href "https://www.fs.usda.gov/working-with-us/careers/public-lands-corps" Read more /a about the benefits and requirements of participating in Public Lands Corps with the USDA Forest Service. /p /em Vehicle / Driver's License Requirement (If applicable): Applicants must have a valid driver's license from a U.S. state or U.S. territory (i.e., Puerto Rico) and a good driving record. Position Dates: June–September 2024 (start/end dates flexible) Position Duration: 12 weeks Hourly Wage: $16.50/hour Housing Details: Government, dormitory-style housing might be available in Newport or Sullivan Lake, WA on a case-by-case basis. If housing is unavailable an extra monthly income payment will be provided. 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 Katie Buchan East Zone Hydrologist 315 N Warren Ave Newport, WA 99156  509-671-3689  katie.buchan@usda.gov Website SECONDARY CONTACT INFORMATION Karen Honeycutt Natural Resource Program Manager 765 South Main Street Colville, WA 99114  509-684-7224  karen.honeycutt@usda.gov Website