POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4410
Position Title: Geology Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Golden Spike National Historical Park, Corinne, Utah
Number of positions available: 1
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 12 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 5/18/2026
End Date: 8/10/2026
AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 450 hours - this is the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve throughout the duration of their position.
BENEFITS
- Segal AmeriCorps 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 MyAmeriCorps, directly)
- Student Loan Interest Payments if applicable (administered through MyAmeriCorps, directly)
APPLICATION TIMELINE
Preference given to applicants who submit applications before Sunday, February 15, 2026. Applications will be reviewed after the application deadline 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 AmeriCorps 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.
DELIVERABLES
Report that includes soil map(s), photographs, evaluation of current sediment conditions, and recommendations for actions needed.
QUALIFICATIONS
- 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 AmeriCorps 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.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
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 (ArcPro, 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
POSITION SETTING
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. There 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 Bonneville. Lake sediments and old lake terraces are visible. Service Environment: Field projects may take place in remote locations and could be a few miles from the nearest road. Some areas will have little to no cellphone coverage. Applicants must be capable of traveling on foot on rough and steep terrain carrying field equipment. office projects will be required for mapping and lab results analyses.
VEHICLE AND DRIVERS LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
- Applicant must have a valid driver's license to drive a government vehicle.
- A personal vehicle is REQUIRED for this position.
HOUSING
Park housing is NOT available. The selected candidate will be responsible for finding housing in the nearby area.
Housing options are available for rent in the neighboring areas of Tremonton (27 miles northeast of the park) and Brigham City (32 miles southeast of the park). Rent averages between $600 - $1600 per month.
OUR COMMITMENT
Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional 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. Ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions.
TIME REQUIREMENTS
- This position is expected to serve full time each week, but exact service schedules may vary based on project needs. Lunch breaks and days off will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service hours.
- 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 pertinent project and site training from host site throughout term
- Member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
- Access to free professional development webinars led by Conservation Legacy staff
EVALUATION AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of minimum AmeriCorps 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.
HOW TO APPLY
Apply online, all Scientists in Parks positions are listed at: https://conservation-legacy.breezy.hr/. Complete the application for this position, highlighting why you are interested in the position and how your background and experience will help you succeed in this position. Be prepared to upload your resume and unofficial transcript as part of completing the application questionnaire.
Once you begin applying for a position, the application must be completed in one sitting. You cannot save and return later to complete it. Applicants can apply for up to five Scientists in Parks positions per season. You need to complete a separate application for each position in order to be considered. You should receive a confirmation email after successfully submitting an application. Sometimes institutional email filters/settings can redirect, or block emails related to the application. We recommend watching spam, junk, and promotional email folders in case your service delivers messages there. Please visit How to Apply for additional resources and information about applying (i.e., learn what materials to have ready for applying, find a worksheet that previews application questions, etc.). Learn more about Scientists in Parks at: https://www.scientistsinparks.org/.
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. Participants serve with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits to provide institutional capacity, develop community relationships, and support ecosystem health. Stewards in partnership with the Scientists in Parks program will host the Geology Assistant at Golden Spike National Historical Park.
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 Scientists in Parks using the email address at the base of the home page, under “Questions? Contact Us!”
