POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4399
Position Title: Hydrology Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Water Resources Division, Lakewood, Colorado
Number of positions available: 1
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 52 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 6/1/2026
End Date: 5/31/2027
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: saltwater intrusion, sea level rise, groundwater, water supply, coastal processes, monitoring, water quality, environmental changes
PURPOSE
This Hydrology Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. Currently, there is no centralized source of data on the location of groundwater wells in coastal parks. Without this information, the NPS does not know the complete status of freshwater resources and their vulnerability to the effects of rising groundwater tables, sea level rise, and saltwater intrusion. This position will positively impact a number of potential resource evaluation and vulnerability assessment efforts related to groundwater resources to guide management decisions in coastal parks.
A first important step will be to identify and attribute the groundwater wells located within these coastal park units, following preexisting workflows and data repository structures developed for an ongoing inventory of groundwater wells being conducted for inland park units. Next, locations evaluated to have high resource concerns and/or vulnerability will be classified for additional real time or periodic monitoring of water level and salinity. These locations may include wells which supply potable water to park units, areas where shallow groundwater supports wildlife and plants, and locations where cultural, historical, or infrastructure resources are being impacted by the changes in groundwater geochemistry due to saltwater intrusion.
These efforts will be impactful in better understanding the scope, extent, and severity of saltwater intrusion in coastal park settings, and better inform proactive and protective responses to the impacts this process may have on a broad range of NPS resources.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Coastal areas are often the intersection of fresh and saline waters. This intersection can create variety marsh, estuary, and brackish water ecosystems and unique fresh-saline interface groundwater systems. When the balance of these waters is changed, however, natural and cultural resources may become impaired or lost. As ocean levels rise and large storm events become more significant, the freshwater resources at these interfaces are becoming more vulnerable. One of these resources is the fresh groundwater lens that often sits both above and adjacent to saline marine waters. These fresh groundwaters are the source of potable supply for park operations and visitors, provide water to plants and wildlife and protect the condition and integrity of current and historic infrastructure.
As the impacts of rising groundwater tables, groundwater pumping, sea level rise, and saltwater intrusion become more apparent in coastal park units, it is also becoming apparent that our understanding of these changes and their impacts is limited.
The objective of this service opportunity is to develop a centralized repository of groundwater information at coastal parks, determine status of data availability, develop methods for evaluating vulnerability, and assist with selecting and instrumenting areas for data collection and monitoring. Specific duties will include serving with the primary and secondary supervisors to identify sources of information, determine attributes to collect and document, develop, and populate a repository of site information, inventory results, research papers, and other pertinent references, and develop a spatial database of the information in either an ArcGIS Pro or ArcOnline interface. Data collection methods will be developed and tested, and site visits to more than one NPS unit will be necessary to collect or confirm data or test methods and protocols.
This service opportunity is unique in that it is not based at a park unit, rather with the national-level Water Resources Division which provides assistance to park units nationwide. Additionally, this position is co-developed and co-managed by the Groundwater and Ocean and Coastal Resources Programs of the Water Resources Division as the issue bridges both subject areas. The Groundwater Program focuses on the sustainability of groundwater resources for park operations, visitors, and dependent ecosystems. Project areas include water supply systems, groundwater quality, groundwater/surface water interactions. The Ocean and Coastal Resources Branch focuses on the 88 ocean and coastal park units within the NPS, with focus areas including but not limited to sea level rise, sediment and shoreline management, aquatic invasive species, and restoration. Both Programs support park management needs, including addressing current and anticipated environmental changes related impacts on natural and cultural resources, facilities and infrastructure, visitor use and safety.
DELIVERABLES
The desired product at the completion of the one-year term is a spatial database with links to a data repository for wells located within the ocean and coastal park units of the National Park Service. While nationwide in scope, efforts may be focused in areas that have been determined to have a higher likelihood of impact from saltwater intrusion and/or have more sensitive water sources or freshwater dependent resources.
A data repository of site-specific groundwater resources, as well as relevant issue papers or research on the topic of sea level rise and saltwater intrusion will be developed as the groundwater inventory is occurring. Finally, a presentation to WRD staff at an all-hands meeting towards the end of the service opportunity will summarize the project and provide recommendations for future projects.
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
Looking for a candidate with a college degree in an earth or environmental sciences field (hydrology, geology, or coastal geomorphology for example) with a strong geospatial and/or database experience or coursework exposure.
The candidate should be detail oriented and have active knowledge of MS applications (Word and Excel), ArcPro and ArcOnline, and be able to effectively communicate orally and in writing, with strong interpersonal skills. The candidate should have the ability to work both independently as well as within a team environment.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
This position is with the National Park Service Water Resources Division in Lakewood, CO, though flexibilities exist if a candidate is already in or near Fort Collins, CO. The project's environment is primarily an office setting and can require long periods of sitting.
Some limited out of town travel may be necessary for periods up to one week. There would be no more than 4-5 of such trips over the course of the service opportunity and may include travel by government vehicle or via air travel. All travel is budgeted into the service opportunity.
Project trips would be daily fieldwork with in-park lodging or nearby hotel stays. Field projects may require carrying up to 40 pounds of personal and scientific equipment over the course of field days that may extend up to 10 hours of field time.
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 NOT available. The selected candidate will be responsible for finding housing in the nearby area.
Park housing is not available, as this is a NPS Natural Resources Stewardship and Science Directorate (Water Resources Division) position and not a Park Unit position. The position is at the Denver Federal Center in Lakewood, CO. If the ideal candidate is already located in or near Fort Collins, CO, an opportunity may exist to projects in WRD's Fort Collins office. The participant will projects in one of the two Colorado locations.
Nearby housing options in Lakewood or Fort Collins and the surrounding towns include apartments and room rentals. Rent costs start at around $900/month for a room in a shared house to $1200/month for an apartment, and vary depending on furnishings, amenities, and location. Both Lakewood and Fort Collins are home to colleges and universities, so sublet options may be available. Red Rocks Community College and Colorado Christian College are in Lakewood, and Colorado School of Mines is nearby in Golden. Colorado State University and Front Range Community College are in Fort Collins. A few websites that list available rentals are Apartments.com, Roomster.com, and Zillow.com. For reference, the Lakewood office location is within zip code 80225 and Fort Collins office location is within 80525.
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 Hydrology Assistant at Water Resources Division.
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!”
