Watershed and Geology Program Assistant

• Location Conservation Legacy,Virginia, VA, 23219,United States
• Base Pay $600.00 - $600.00 / Week
• Other Compensation $100 Weekly Additional Benefit
• Job Category Individual Placement, Ameri Corps, Individual Placement

Application Timeline: Preference given to applicants that submit application by October 31, 2025

Terms of Service:

• End Date: 1/1/2027

GEOSCIENTISTS IN FORESTS PROGRAM:

The USDA Forest Service Washington Office Lands, Minerals and Geology (WO-LMG) in partnership with the Conservation Legacy is pleased to announce the 2026 Geoscientists in Forests (GSF) Program offering paid professional development opportunities to emerging geoscientists that leverage Agency capacity to conduct critical geologic work in alignment with the administration’s priorities (see Executive Orders and Secretarial Memos listed below).

The GSF Program specializes in individual placements that address geoscience-related needs and management priorities. The program is designed for individuals aged 18-30, and veterans up to age 35. Projects involve predominantly field-oriented research, inventory and monitoring, and geoscience interpretation for agency staff and the public. GSF programs support Forest Service responsibilities under Executive Orders on American energy (EOs 14154, 14156, 14241), Secretarial Memo , and the Public Land Corps Act’s workforce development focus.

The primary purposes of the Geoscientists in Forests Program are to:

• Address critical geoscience needs on National Forest System lands;

• Foster geoscience career growth to support mineral and energy development in alignment with the administration’s priorities;

• Provide on-the-ground geoscience training and immersive paid developmental experience for emerging geoscience professionals under Forest Service mentorship

POSITION:

The Geoscientists in Forests Program is seeking geoscience professionals to address critical needs on National Forest System lands. Stewards Individual Placements (Stewards), a program of Conservation Legacy, provides individuals with Ameri Corps service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. The USDA Forest Service - Lands, Minerals, and Geology in partnership with Stewards will host a Watershed and Geology Program Assistant at the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests .

This Watershed and Geology Program Assistant is an Ameri Corps position that will support multiple programs including watershed, soil, and geology for the George Washington & Jefferson National Forests (GWJ). The Geoscientists in Forests (GSF) participant will primarily be working with the Forest Geologist, Soil Scientist, and Hydrologist.

Under the Geology Program, the Geoscientists in Forests (GSF) participant will conduct inventory and monitoring of abandoned mine lands (AML), karst resources and geologic hazards. Duties will include conducting field assessments and monitoring throughout the national forest. Underground entry for conducting cave health assessments will be part of these duties. Additional duties may include project management of specific reclamation projects along with fossil location and identification.

The individual placement will work under the guidance of the Forest Geologist. All field work will rely on topographic maps and satellite imagery to assist in determining where pertinent resources are located and through use of LiDAR, accurately document resource concerns and follow up action items or remediation needs.

Under the Watershed Program (i.e., soils, hydrology, air/climate), the individual placement will inventory and assess risks to surface water quality, groundwater, groundwater dependent ecosystems, and stream habitat. The individual placement will field verify and map the water resource, and assess the hydrogeologic setting, soils and vegetation, land use, etc. Other needs include conducting stream classifications, spring and karst inventories, as well as monitoring of project implementation and best management practices effectiveness.

The participant will field verify and map springs/seeps and may collect flow data, water chemistry, aquatic life, etc. The individual…