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Cave Management Specialist

Stewards Individual Placement Program
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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 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: Cave Management Specialist - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: 401 Fairgrounds Rd, Rolla, MO 65401

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

Terms of Service:

•                  Start Date: 05/18/2026 (negotiable)

•                  End Date: 08/07/2026 (negotiable)

•                  AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 450 Hour Slot

 

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 Cave Management Specialist at the Mark Twain National Forest.

This project supports the cave and karst program on the Mark Twain National Forest, which includes over 900 caves. There are multiple opportunities for projects based on the interests of the applicant, including using GIS to digitize existing cave maps, checking gates and locks, streamlining databases, and assisting with an ongoing sinkhole mapping project. There may be opportunities to do cave monitoring as well. All of these projects support protection and management of cave resources within the forest.

Specific Project goals will depend on the project the applicant is interested in, but all projects help cave management on the forest. Digitizing cave maps helps inform surface management above underground passages, streamlining databases helps specialists more efficiently conduct analysis for other NEPA projects, cave gate and lock inventory helps with cave protection and monitoring vandalism.

Description of Duties:

·        Create and manipulate cave data using ESRI’s ArcPRO GIS software

·        Create and implement plans for field work

·        Produce a final report outlining work performed during the service term

·        Maintaining good data management practices while working with spatial/ database information

·        Work professionally and collaboratively with forest staff and collaborators

·        Perform work in a manner that ensures safety for themself and those around them

 

Qualifications:

·        Actively pursuing (or recently completed) a degree in geology or natural resource related field

·        Experience or interest in caving and management of cave resources

·        Knowledge/ experience using Mircosoft office software

  • 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 using ESRI GIS software (ArcGIS, ArcPro, Survey123, etc.)

·        Experience using 4wd vehicles and hiking in remote areas preferred

 

Additional Position and Community Information

·        Mark Twain National Forest (Forest) includes approximately 1.5 million acres of federal land in 29 Missouri counties. The Forest has six ranger districts, seven wilderness areas, numerous Missouri Natural Areas, two national trails, the Glade Top Trail National Scenic Byway, over 900 caves, and the Eleven Point and Lower Current National Scenic Rivers. Mark Twain National Forest is truly a working Forest that accomplishes a full range of vegetation and recreation management activities on the Forest. These include timber harvest and regeneration activities, timber sale improvement, prescribed fire, developed and dispersed recreation, and mining. It is consistently in the top 10 to 15 producing Forests in the nation. The forest is primarily located on the Salem Plateau, which is dominated by layers of exposed sandstone and dolomite. The karst geology created by the erosion of surface and subsurface sedimentary rock resulted in a landscape of springs, seeps, fens, caves, sinkholes, and clear cold water streams.

·        This project will be split between the office in Rolla and field sites across the forest. Office time will primarily consist of computer tasks at a desk. Field work may occur across the forest, ranging from 20 min to 3+ hours away from Rolla and include hiking in steep/ rocky terrain in hot weather. No overnight travel is anticipated. The Forest Supervisor’s Office, Rolla, is in central Missouri. Rolla is within a 1.5 to 2-hour drive of three major cities (St. Louis to the east, Springfield to the west, and Jefferson City/Columbia to the north). The population is approximately 19,000, not including students attending the local Missouri University of Science and Technology. Local amenities include a range of restaurants, multiple hospitals, and abundant outdoor recreation activities like canoeing, hiking, and fishing.

·        The participant will gain insight into how a working forest within the National Forest System operates and balances competing interests between recreation, industry, and natural resource stewardship. The participant will gain access to GIS training relevant to cave management that will be applicable to future projects. The participant will gain valuable skills performing fieldwork in remote areas. There will be opportunity to learn about and assist program areas outside of geology if desired.

 

 

Housing Description:

 

·        Housing is not available. Rolla is a college town with considerable housing for students. We will help the applicant find housing that fits their needs, and provide additional stipend money to cover the housing costs.

 

Is a personal vehicle required:

 

·        It will be important for the participant to have a personal vehicle[LS3] . Rolla is a small town with basic amenities, but less than a large metro area. The closest larger cities are 100 miles away, and most recreation opportunities in the area (outdoor, arts, cultural, etc. would not be available without a vehicle. Commuting to the office would be challenging without a vehicle as well, depending on housing location. There is no public transportation.

Benefits:

  • Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $1,956.35
  • Living Allowance of $600.00 per week.
  • Additional Benefit of $250.00 per week.[GE4] [SK5] 
  • 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: Samuel Knopka at samuel.knopka@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.
  • Safe Driving Training
  • ArcGIS Training
  • Basic Cave safety training

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.