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Hydrology Technical Assistant

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, 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:  Hydrology Technical Assistant - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: 504 9th St, Craig, AK 99921

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

Terms of Service:

•                  Start Date: May 18, 2026

•                  End Date: August 7, 2026

•                  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 Hydrology Technical Assistant at the Tongass National Forest, Thorne Bay/Craig Ranger District.

This position is part of the Aquatics Team hydrology crew, based at the Craig Ranger District. The participant will assist the Hydrologist in collecting, organizing, and analyzing hydrologic data in preparation for natural resource management on Prince of Wales Island. Fieldwork will include a variety of surveys related to the protection and management of aquatic resources, including stream and road inventory, stream productivity, physical and biological characteristics, and habitat improvements. Some physical labor may be required for stream restoration projects. This position requires long hours in the field, hiking over rough terrain in all types of weather, and a  knowledge of ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS online.

The participant can expect to produce a summary of the service done over the summer, emphasizing issues found within the assessed roads and streams, and also complete analysis of the collected survey data. Data will be collected using ESRI Survey123 and Field Maps. The analysis will be done using Excel spreadsheets, and a concise report will be prepared. In addition, the participant will update a map of the surveyed locations using ArcGIS Pro/Field Maps. A template will be provided.

 

Description of Duties:

·        Assists the Hydrologist in the collection, organization, and analysis of hydrologic data in preparation for natural resource management on Prince of Wales Island.

·        Organize and maintain gear and equipment.

·        Prepare data sheets, GPS units, iPads, and maps for survey work.

·        Conduct a variety of surveys related to the protection and management of aquatic resources including stream inventory, stream productivity, stream utilization, physical and biological characteristics, and habitat improvements or rehabilitation programs.

·        Process, organize, and update hydrologic and fisheries data using Microsoft Excel, ArcGIS, ArcGIS Online, and apps like Collector and Avenza Maps.

 

Qualifications:

·        Able to work well in both field and office environments

·        This position will involve primarily outdoor work and requires physical hiking and labor in remote areas on rough terrain

·        Willing to be a team player and work independently sometimes

·        Basic ArcGIS Pro skills and be able to generate maps and work with GIS data.

  • 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: 

·        Familiar with aquatic resources

·        Coursework in geology, hydrology, ecology, or natural resources conservation

·        Experience in off-grid, remote, or backcountry environments

 

Additional Position and Community Information

·        Prince of Wales Island (POW) is the largest island in southeast Alaska’s Alexander Archipelago and the third largest US island. It measures approximately 130 miles from north to south and encompasses approximately 1,427,659 acres. POW has thousands of miles of coastline and hundreds of smaller islands west of POW. The weather is mild but wet. Summertime temperatures range in the 60's, and most winter days rarely fall below freezing. Precipitation is abundant, and snowfall is variable. The lush ferns and foliage carpeting the forest floor result from over 100 inches of rainfall annually. The most pleasant months generally fall between May and September. The land is heavily forested with Sitka spruce, hemlock, and cedar. The emerald green slopes of the island drop off abruptly into marine waters and provide some of the most breathtaking scenery in the United States. Day length changes with the seasons, from 18 hours of daylight in the summer to 18 hours of darkness in the winter. The geology is generally characterized by recently glaciated, Paleozoic through Cenozoic sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks.

·        Prince of Wales Island is approximately 40 air miles from Ketchikan, Alaska. It is reached via the Inter-Island Ferry or by charter float plane. The community of Craig (approximately 1250 people) is remote with minimal amenities; however, there is a grocery store, library, sports shop, gas station, one pizza place, a couple of restaurants, and a community gym and aquatic center. There are hundreds of miles of roads on Prince of Wales, mostly unpaved. Recreation opportunities are abundant, and water-based activities such as boating and fishing are prevalent. There is little development on the island. The setting is typical of southeast Alaska, with abundant rain, rugged terrain, and dense old-growth forests.

Housing Description:

 

·        Housing is provided by the host forest. The housing is bunkhouse-style facilities where communal living exists and rooms are used as residential quarters. The bunkhouse includes a TV with VHS and DVD player, two bathrooms with shower/bathtub, laundry room with washer and dryer,and full kitchen with plenty of cookware and utensils. Each room has two twin beds and wardrobes. There is a possibility of not having to share a room, depending on occupancy.

 

Is a personal vehicle required:

 

·        Personal vehicle is not required.

 

Benefits:

  • Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $1,956.35
  • Living Allowance of $600.00 per week.
  • Additional Benefit of $100.00 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: Malcolm Cross at malcolm.cross@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.

·        Staff will educate the participant on the many aspects of public land management on the Tongass National Forest, including travel management, watershed restoration, sustainable timber harvest, and serving with partners (tribal, state, non-profit). Training will include basic GIS, data management in the Forest Service, Survey123, and field maps. The participant will serve directly with the Hydrologist on conducting water resource and road inventories following established procedures to support management programs and Forest planning. This will give them a good foundation for completing the fieldwork. The participant will have many opportunities to serve with other resources to see what a career at the Forest Service would be like.

 

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.