POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4408
Position Title: Geology Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Yellowstone National Park, 22 Stable St, Wyoming
Number of positions available: 1
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 26 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 5/4/2026
End Date: 11/2/2026
AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 900 hours - this is the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve throughout the duration of their position.
BENEFITS
- Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: $ 3,697.50 upon successful completion of position
- Weekly Living Allowance: $ 600.00 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: Hydrothermal, Geochemistry, Volcanology, Geomorphology, GIS
PURPOSE
This Geology Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. Our SIP participant's have been integral in creating and completing projects essential to our mission to monitor and inventory Yellowstone's volcanic features and protect other geologic resources that make the world's first national park extraordinary. Depending on project chosen, participants will also assist with chemical and thermal field projects and administrative/office projects, supplementing the collection and analysis of high-quality data on patterns and changes within the Yellowstone hydrothermal system. The participant will coordinate various projects furthering the mission of the YNP Geology team.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The participant will perform essential projects in preserving the natural physical system for future generations to enjoy. Within this service the participant will perform vital monitoring and inventory activities on Yellowstone's hydrothermal systems - projects that is mandated by congress. They will also assist in the management of databases that house data collected by the participant. The participant’s duties may include conducting general geologic field projects, collecting geologic and water samples, maintaining/downloading temperature data loggers, measuring thermal water pH and conductivity, constructing geologic/image databases, using petrographic microscopes, and creating geologic and other maps. Other duties may include:
- Assist the park geologist and Geology Program staff to identify and mitigate geologic hazards.
- Assist with review and auditing of permitted science research and projects. Yellowstone hosts approximately 175 permitted researchers per year.
- Operate and maintain Geologic inventory and monitoring equipment.
- Construct GIS, geologic and image databases.
- Create print and web-based science content derived from assignments and interactions with researchers to educate visitors and increase environmental literacy for the park.
- Field projects that includes interacting with a broad staff of geoscience researchers, educators, law enforcement rangers, landscape architects and other participants and seasonal staff.
DELIVERABLES
- Create and present geologic datasets
- Create content for visitor interpretive displays and presentations
- Create and display datasets on maps with GIS software
- Create reports describing field and laboratory projects findings and share these findings with Park management and other vested parties
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 26 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
The applicant must possess an undergraduate degree in geology, geophysics or related geoscience degree by the start date. A candidate either in possession of or in the process of obtaining an advanced degree in geology or geophysics is preferred. Experience with geologic field work is required. A solid proficiency with the Microsoft Office suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.) is required. Experience with mobile mapping software such as ESRI Field Maps and Survey 123 is preferred, and proficiency in ArcGIS 10.x or ArcGIS Pro is necessary. Experience with natural resource field data collection is required. An applicant must have the ability to work both independently and as part of a team and be able to hike five miles with a 30-pound pack over steep or uneven terrain. Applicants must have a valid driver license.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
This position is within Yellowstone National Park’s Yellowstone Center for Resources division, which houses the park’s natural and cultural resources workgroups. projects will be performed in both the office and in the field. The position will be based out of the park headquarters in Mammoth Hot Springs, WY, at an elevation of 6300 feet. Much of the projects is in done in geyser basins at 6,000 to 8,000 ft elevation, and the mountains in Yellowstone can reach 12,000 ft. Five miles to the north of Mammoth is the town of Gardiner, MT, a small town which has a grocery store and restaurants. Livingston, MT is approximately 60 miles to the north. A small city, Bozeman, MT, is about 85 miles from Gardiner. When in the field, the individual should anticipate working in mountain weather conditions with the presence of wildlife, including large mammals. The service opportunity will span late spring, summer, and early fall, so temperatures can easily range from the 40s to the 90s. Snow and below-freezing weather can occur late into spring or in early fall. field projects may require travel of up to 60 miles by car and/or up to five miles hiking carrying a 30 lb backpack. Weather can change rapidly and without warning, including sudden wind, rain, thunder, or hail. Dressing in layers is highly recommended for Yellowstone’s extreme temperatures.
VEHICLE AND DRIVERS LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
- Applicant must have a valid driver's license to drive a government vehicle.
- A personal vehicle is recommended for this position.
HOUSING
Park housing is available and will be provided at no cost to the participant.
Park housing is provided at no cost to the participant. Housing will likely be a private room in a shared house with shared kitchen and bathroom facilities. Basic furniture will be supplied. Bedding, towels, and cooking supplies will need to be brought to the park by the SIP participants. The SIP participant will be responsible for all their own cooking and house cleaning. It is unlikely that housing will have WIFI, although there are locations (e.g. the Mammoth Rec Center) at which individual can access WIFI. No pets are allowed. Verizon tends to be the best cellular service.
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 Yellowstone National 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!”
