POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4337
Position Title: Geology Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Geologic Resources Division, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science, Lakewood, Colorado
Number of positions available: 1
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 52 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 05/04/2026
End Date: 05/03/2027
AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1700 hours - this is the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve throughout the duration of their position.
BENEFITS
- Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: $ 7,395.00 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)
- For 52-week positions only:
- Free Healthcare Coverage (opt in)
- Childcare Coverage (opt in)
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: Abandoned mineral lands, database, QA/QC, field verification, mining engineer
PURPOSE
This Geology Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. NPS AML sites and features are important historical remnants of past mining and mineral activity in areas that are now administered by the NPS. Some of these sites and features have public safety or environmental impacts. Many sites also have cultural resources or landscape values and provide critical wildlife habitat. In 2008, the Department of the Interior (DOI) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) released an audit of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and NPS abandoned mineral lands. In NPS AML sites and features are important historical remnants of past mining and mineral activity in areas that are now administered by the NPS. Some of these sites and features have public safety or environmental impacts. Many sites also have cultural resources or landscape values and provide critical wildlife habitat. In 2008, the Department of the Interior (DOI) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) released an audit of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and NPS abandoned mineral lands. In response to the OIG audit, NPS conducted an on-the-ground inventory and assessment of AML sites Servicewide and summarized its findings in a 2014 report entitled Abandoned Mine Lands in the National Park System: Comprehensive Inventory and Assessment. The 2014 NPS report identifies 37,050 AML features (mined areas or orphaned oil and gas wells) at 3,421 sites in 133 NPS park units. This information is contained in the AML database, but for the NPS to address these features systematically, the bare-bones information in the database must be verified and/or updated. The projects done by the SIP will play a vital role in helping the AML team and park staff better evaluate the 37,050 AML features and direct these funds to the features posing the highest risks.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Duties: The purpose of this position is to help support the nationwide Abandoned Mineral Lands (AML) Program. Primary duties will be collaborating with the AML team and AML parks to update the information in the NPS database. Over 130 park units across the service contain approximately 37,050 AML features (adits, waste rock piles, structures, roads, equipment, prospect pits, shafts, tunnels, etc). The AML database lists these features, but much of the required information describing each feature (resource impacts, safety concerns, wildlife values, needed reclamation service) is missing, incorrect, or outdated. The SIP will also help the AML team evaluate and change the fields in the database to increase its utility as warranted. Specific Tasks: (1) Database Review and Updates: Collaborate with the AML team and park staff to review sites and features contained within the database as part of a comprehensive database QA/QC process. This may involve producing spreadsheets or maps to support the verification of data. GIS mapping should be used to assist in feature verification. This will likely be an iterative task requiring multiple rounds of QA/QC with park staff to ensure that the database is as accurate to current conditions as possible. 2) Project Completion Reports: Collaborate with the AML team and park staff to ensure that completed AML projects have corresponding completion reports utilizing existing templates and formats. (3) The SIP will travel to 1-2 parks with members of the AML team as part of Surveying/Ground Truthing and Construction Observation. The SIP will not travel alone and will always be accompanied by an AML Team Member when in the field. It is critical to see the environment and variety of mine features in the field, especially to assist with verifying data and understanding mine closure methods.
DELIVERABLES
The goal for the SIP is to gather verify/update information for 50% of the features currently listed in the AML database.
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 52 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Necessary Skills: Excellent written and oral communication skills, the ability to take initiative and interact/participate well with a team. The position also requires close attention to detail (for example, to notice a discrepancy in data). For field projects, the SIP must be comfortable in the outdoor environment, be willing to hike long distances with equipment and water, take notes while in the field, and follow safety protocols and instructions. Skills with Excel or other spreadsheets are necessary. At least basic GIS skills are desired. Applicable coursework: natural resources, mining engineering, environmental science, reclamation/restoration, GIS, geology.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
The SIP will primarily complete projects in the GRD office at 1 Federal Center, Building 50, in Lakewood with occasional site visits to national parks, weather and funding permitting. Lakewood is within the Denver Metro area. The Regional Transportation District (RTD) provides public transportation access via bus route 76. Downtown Denver is about 10 miles from the office location. There are museums, art galleries and shopping, as well as a range of bars and restaurants. It is an international air travel hub. There are parks within easy bicycling distance from the office location and the mountains can be seen out the windows of the building. There are numerous state parks and national forest lands throughout the state that provide additional opportunities for recreation, biking, hiking, kayaking or just simple escape from society. In addition to extensive city parks and open space, outdoor recreation opportunities abound with 300 days of sunshine a year. Two NPS areas—Rocky Mountain National Park and Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument—are within a 2-hour drive. National forests, wildlife refuges, and state parks are even closer.
VEHICLE AND DRIVERS LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
- Applicant must have a valid driver's license to drive a government vehicle.
- A personal vehicle is not required for this position.
HOUSING
Park housing is NOT available. The selected candidate will be responsible for finding housing in the nearby area.
The Denver-metro housing market is extremely competitive with very low vacancy rates. As such, average monthly rents range from $1100 for studio apartments to $1500 for one-bedroom apartments. Shared housing or room rentals are a somewhat more affordable option. Candidates that already live in the Denver area are encouraged to apply. GRD can advise the selected candidate regarding housing opportunities and neighborhoods as needed.
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 Geologic Resources Division, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science.
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!”
