Geology Assistant AmeriCorps

Overview

POSITION DETAILS
Position (s): 4410
Position Title: Geology Assistant - Ameri Corps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Golden Spike National Historical Park, Corinne, Utah
Number of positions available: 1

Duration: 12 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 5/18/2026
End Date: 8/10/2026
Ameri Corps Slot Classification: 450 hours - this is the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve throughout the duration of their position.

• Segal Ameri Corps Education Award: $ 1,956.35 upon successful completion of position
• Weekly Living Allowance: $ 700.00 per week, fixed rate
• Relocation Allowance: $ 450.00 (distributed as a one-time lump sum with first paycheck)
• Student Loan Forbearance if applicable (administered by My Ameri Corps , directly)
• Student Loan Interest Payments if applicable (administered through My Ameri Corps , directly)

APPLICATION TIMELINE
Preference given to applicants who submit applications before Sunday, February 15, 2026. Applications will be reviewed after the Final date to receive applications passes. Positions will close after receiving 60 complete applications, or at 11:59 p.m. EST on February 15, 2026, whichever occurs first.

KEYWORDS: Mapping, GIS, Field Project, Geology, Resource Management

PURPOSE
This Geology Assistant is an Ameri Corps position. This position will help the park and partners identify current soil conditions. Findings will inform plans for native plant restoration projects. The project will provide significant insight into plant-soil relationships in the park.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The project will include reviewing existing geological history reports and maps. The participant will drive to different areas in the park and walk on foot to survey the area and determine sediment sampling sites. In the field, the participant will take photographs and collect GPS locations at each sample site. Soil collection tools (including augers and/or soil probes) may be used to take soil samples in various areas of the park.

The participant will complete analyses of sediment characteristics including textures, particle size, and geochemical components. A park soil map will be created to visualize the soil composition data. The participant will interpret results as it relates to native plant viability in the park. These findings will be presented in a final report.

Report that includes soil map(s), photographs, evaluation of current sediment conditions, and recommendations for actions needed.

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien.
• Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of secondary school to enroll as an Ameri Corps participant and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award
• Prior to starting the position, agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check for the employer of record, Conservation Legacy, and a separate government security background check for the host site.
• The applicant must be available to participate for the entire 12 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.

Applicants should be advanced undergraduate or graduate students whose educational background and career objectives are in geology or environmental science. Applicants must have completed basic undergraduate course projects toward a degree in geology, geoscience, environmental science or a related field. The park is looking for applicants that demonstrate strong leadership and team building skills. The participant must have the ability to work well with others.

Preference will be given to applicants with working knowledge in mapping – including ESRI (Arc Pro, ArcGIS online, Survey 123) and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint). Skills in research design, project management, and sediment sampling are desired. The applicant must be able to travel on foot on rough terrain.

Additional Position and Community Information

Location:

Golden Spike National Historical Park is in Box Elder County, Utah. It contains about 2,735 acres – much of which protects the long and narrow area of historical railroad grades. Nearest gas and food are in Corinne 25 miles east. The larger city of Brigham City is 32 miles east of the park, and Salt Lake City is 90 miles southeast.

Golden Spike was designated to commemorate the completion of the first transcontinental railroad in the United States. Physical/Natural Environment:
The area is in the Eastern Great Basin Desert with elevation ranging from 5,000 to 6,500 ft. There are views of hillsides and plains grasslands. The area is categorized as semi-arid, and temperatures reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. During glacial times, the area was under the water of Lake…