Individual Placement - Hydrology & Physical Science Technician at Organ Pipe Cactus National Mo

Individual Placement – Hydrology & Physical Science Technician at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument Job Description

Position Summary

This position will support the Physical Science Program at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument (ORPI) by contributing to hydrology and water quality monitoring, conducting geomorphology surveys, and assisting with the maintenance of a network of weather stations throughout the monument. This position will be a combination of field work, equipment maintenance, data and data entry. Fieldwork will be conducted throughout ORPI, including backcountry settings and along the international border between Mexico and the United States.

Hosting Organization

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

Location

Ajo, AZ

Schedule

September 28, 2026 - February 12, 2027

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Channel Morphology- using laser level to conduct cross section surveys in seven washes that cross the international border with Mexico;
Quitobaquito hydrology – assisting with routine discharge and pond level measurements. Other tasks may include vegetation management to keep the spring channel and source in good condition, and maintaining water supply to pan evaporation testing equipment;
Water quality – assisting with measuring water quality parameters at Quitobaquito and Dripping springs. May include field work at tinajas, as well as assisting with calibration and maintenance of equipment;

Marginal Duties

Other duties include recording field data on a variety of devices and assisting with data entry. As appropriate, there may be opportunities to assist the other Resource Division programs, including wildlife biology, botany, cultural resources, and ecological monitoring.

Required Qualifications

• Experience working with hand‑held GPS, maps, and compass for field navigation and data collection
• Ability to perform manual, physical labor for up to 10 hours per day, exposed to the elements, and must be able to occasionally lift and/or move 50 pounds or more
• Ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally, with a broad audience
• Ability to live and work in rural and remote field and office setting
• Must possess a clean, valid, state‑issued driver’s license
• Due to the remote setting, a personal vehicle is required

This SCA Position is authorized under the Public Land Corps Authority. All participants must be between the ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, or veterans age 35 or younger. Participants must also be a citizen or national of the United States or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States. Hours served can be applied toward the Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience conducting fieldwork in a desert or other challenging outdoor environments.
• Familiarity with hydrology and/or water quality field methods, such as measuring stream discharge, reading flumes and staff gauges, using water quality multiparameter meters, and measuring depth to groundwater.
• Experience using survey equipment for geomorphology or similar field applications.
• Degree or coursework in hydrology, geology, natural resources, environmental science, or a related field.
• Familiarity with desktop and mobile GIS and mapping software, including Avenza, ArcGIS Pro, Arc Map, ArcGIS Online (AGOL), Field Maps, and Survey
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Living Accommodations

The field assistant will have their own room in a shared house with up to 3 other residents. They will share a bathroom with 1 other person. Housing units come fully furnished and stocked with kitchen implements, pots and pans, etc. Park housing is located approximately 35 miles from the nearest grocery store in Ajo. Phoenix and Tucson are both about 2.5 hours away and offer full services.

Compensation

• Living allowance - $720/week;
• Roundtrip travel allowance - $1,100;
• Duty‑related travel (work related reimbursements) - $1,500

All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.

Personal Vehicle Information

Recommended

Additional Benefits

Off‑Road Vehicle Safety

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Student Conservation Association, Inc., is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members and is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere where lifestyles may grow personally and professionally.