Soil, Water, and Geologic Hazard Assistant

GEOSCIENTISTS IN FORESTS PROGRAM

Stewards Individual Placements and the US Forest Service will host an Applicant Webinar for all interested candidates on Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 3 PM ET / 1 PM MT. Please register to attend or review the recording here: Geoscientists in Forests | Stewards Individual Placement Program

Position Title:  Soil, Water, and Geologic Hazard Inventory Assistant - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: 811 Constitution Avenue, Bedford, IN 47421

Application Timeline: Preference given to applicants that submit application by January 29, 2026.

Terms of Service:

•                  Start Date: 6/1/2026

•                  End Date: 8/21/2026

•                  AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 450 Hour Slot (12 Weeks)

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 1078-005, 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 AmeriCorps 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 Soil, Water, and Geologic Hazard Inventory Assistant at the Hoosier National Forest.

This Soil, Water, and Geologic Hazard Inventory Assistant is an AmeriCorps position that will work on a variety of forest wide projects for the Hoosier National Forest’s Watershed program, conducting comprehensive monitoring and inventory to collect and analyze soil, water, and geologic data in support of active forest management and watershed planning efforts.

Participants will collaborate with watershed staff for technical guidance but day to day will be expected to work independently. Opportunities will be provided to the participant to shadow other programs to develop additional skills and experience. There will be flexibility built into the life of the project to develop additional deliverables or field work based on the participants’ interests and experience, provided that work will be in support of active forest management and watershed restoration planning.

The Hoosier National Forest presents a unique geologic setting, with steep slopes, karst terrain, and dynamic soil–water interactions, with many restoration opportunities and management challenges. The work performed in this position will help improve hazard awareness, strengthen watershed condition monitoring, and modernize geospatial datasets that support Forest-wide planning.

By the end of the project, the participants will produce detailed summary reports documenting landslides, erosion, soil disturbance, road–stream crossings, and hydrography across the Hoosier National Forest. These reports will provide quick reference to field findings and link directly to accompanying GIS shapefiles, databases, and applications. All products will be stored within agency file systems for long-term use in NEPA planning and active forest management.

This project supports the Forest and administration’s priorities for efficient, science-based decision-making by providing defensible data that streamlines environmental review and project development. The information collected will help improve planning timelines and strengthen the foundation for future timber, fuels, and watershed restoration projects that promote healthy, sustainable ecosystems.

Results from this work will ultimately be integrated into agency databases, improving data consistency across programs. The participants will also contribute to Watershed Restoration Action Plans, Watershed Condition Framework Assessments and specialist reports for NEPA, directly supporting on-the-ground management and restoration outcomes.

Description of Duties:

·        Inventory of landslides and other areas of mass erosion

·        Forest soil disturbance monitoring (FSDMP)

·        Best management practice (BMP) monitoring

·        Road stream crossing assessments

·        Water quality data collection

·        Field verification of Forest Hydrography Flowlines

·        Develop GIS maps and apps for soil and water resources

·        Prepare final reports of their work over the 12 week period

o   The participants' work will be incorporated into the writing of Watershed Restoration Action Plans (WRAP) and identification of a new priority watershed for the Hoosier National Forest.

Qualifications:

·        Pursuing or have recently completed a bachelor’s degree in Geology, Soil Science, Hydrology, Environmental Science or a related natural resources field.

·        Completed a variety of Earth Science related coursework, including, but not limited to, classes in geomorphology, hydrology, soils, sedimentology, and introductory field methods classes.

·        Comfortable working independently in remote field settings and have the ability to work safely in rugged terrain under varying environmental conditions.

·        Familiar with basic earth science principles

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• Applicants must be between ages of 18-30 years old, or up to 35 for veteran, based on Public Land Corps Act of 1993 authorizing this AmeriCorps opportunity.
• Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award.
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.

·        Able to pass a federal background check for Forest Service credentialing and technology access.

·        Over 21 and possess a valid driver's license (or have had a valid driver’s license for 3 or more years) and a good driving record if needed to drive a government vehicle.

Preferred Qualifications:

·        Experience with ArcGIS Pro, AGOL, Mobile GIS data collection, ESRI Mobile Apps, geologic field techniques, field data collection, and technical or scientific writing.

·        Strong knowledge in weathering and erosion, the different forms of mass wasting, and how water interacts with the landscape. Candidates should be prepared to apply this knowledge to land management activities.

Additional Position and Community Information

·        The Hoosier National Forest is located in the unglaciated hill country of south-central Indiana, characterized by rugged terrain with steep slopes, ridges, and dissected uplands. The underlying geology is primarily Mississippian and Pennsylvanian sedimentary rocks, including limestones, dolostones, sandstones, shales, and siltstones. Much of the Forest exhibits karst features such as sinkholes, caves, and subsurface drainage, while areas of softer bedrock and thin soils are prone to landslides and mass erosion.

·        These geologic and soil conditions directly influence surface water movement, slope stability, and watershed processes, making them highly relevant for field inventories of landslides, soil disturbance, road–stream crossings, and verification of hydrography. The combination of steep terrain, variable soils, and karst features provides both unique challenges and learning opportunities for participants, while directly supporting active forest management and watershed assessment.

·        Participants will work in a mixed environment, splitting time between fieldwork on the Hoosier National Forest and office-based GIS, data analysis, and report preparation. Fieldwork will involve navigating rugged terrain, steep slopes, and forested areas, providing hands-on experience in soil, water, and geologic data collection. Office tasks will focus on mapping, database management, and preparing summary reports.

·        The Forest Supervisor’s office is located in Bedford, IN, which offers affordable housing, grocery stores, and local services. Bloomington, IN., approximately 20 miles from Bedford, is home to Indiana University, providing a vibrant cultural scene, additional housing options, shopping, dining, and recreational opportunities. These communities ensure that participants relocating to the area have access to both everyday necessities and larger city amenities while working on the Forest.

·        This project will provide participants with hands-on experience in field inventories of landslides, soil and water quality monitoring, and road–stream crossing assessments, as well as GIS mapping, data analysis, and report preparation for active forest management and NEPA planning. Participants will gain technical proficiency in field work, watershed assessment, data management and will have extensive experience in ArcGIS by the end of the project.

·        Participants will work closely with the forest hydrologist, stream restoration project manager, and ecosystems program manager, who will provide guidance, mentorship, and oversight while allowing independent work. The Forest Hydrologist has a varied background in land management, having worked previously as a geologist in lands and minerals for the Bureau of Land Management and can provide participants with guidance on navigating different agencies, different types of projects, and a career in federal land management. The Stream Restoration Project Manager is a joint employee who works for both the Forest Service and The Nature Conservancy who is very knowledgeable in stream restoration and ecological work and can teach participants about working in land management for both the government and for private entities like companies and non-profit organizations.

Housing Description:

·        Housing is not provided. Site will provide community resources, help participant connect with potential housing providers, and support coordination with other participants (if schedules align).

Is a personal vehicle required:

·        It will be important for the participant to have a personal vehicle for transport to and from Supervisor’s Office, located in a rural area 20-30 minutes from housing options.

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $1,956.35
• Living Allowance of $600.00 per week.
• Additional Benefit of $250.00 per week.
• Childcare Coverage if Eligible
• Student Loan forbearance if Eligible (administered by MyAmeriCorps, directly)
• Interest Payments if Eligible (administered through MyAmeriCorps, directly)

How to Apply
Apply on-line at: https://stewardslegacy.org/open-positions.  In addition to your resume, please submit a one page cover letter highlighting why you are interested in this position and how your background and experience will help you succeed in this position.

Application Timeline: Position will close on January 29, 2026.

Supervisor Name and Contact Information:

·        Program Contact information: Sam Rush at srush@conservationlegacy.org

·        Service Site Contact information: Christopher Bolen at christopher.bolen@usda.gov

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager. 

Additional Details

Our Commitment:

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full consideration of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential job functions. Physical requirements may include periodic overnight travel, non-traditional work hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. The ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.

Time Requirements:

• This position is expected to serve 40 hours each week, but exact service schedules may vary.
• Lunch breaks will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service.
• Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.

Orientation and Training:

• Member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.

·        Through collaboration with staff, contributions to reports and maps, and potential involvement in NEPA documentation, participants will strengthen project planning, decision-making, and scientific communication skills. The Participants will have the chance to work with other Forest programs to gain experience and skills beyond what is offered by the project and network with all the staff on the Hoosier and other forests and see all the possible career paths that land management, and the Forest Service have to offer.

Evaluation and Reporting:

As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service.

Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking.