POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4551
Position Title: Hydrology Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Yosemite National Park, El Portal, California
Number of positions available: 1
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 12 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 01/18/2027
End Date: 04/12/2027
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: $ 1,956.00 upon successful completion of position (pre-tax)
- Weekly Living Allowance: $ 675.00 per week, fixed rate (pre-tax)
- Relocation Allowance: $ 450.00 (distributed as a one-time lump sum with first paycheck) (pre-tax)
- 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, June 14, 2026. Applications will be reviewed after the application deadline passes. Positions will close after receiving 60 complete applications, or at 11:59 p.m. EDT on June 14, 2026, whichever occurs first.
KEYWORDS: Hydrology, groundwater, streamflow, data analysis, snowpack
PURPOSE
This Hydrology Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. The water supply for multiple communities in Yosemite National Park rely on either groundwater or streamflow. Notably, the community of Tuolumne Meadows obtains their water from the Dana Fork of the Tuolumne River, flows in which are threatened by drought. During the drought years of 2015 and 2021, low snowpack caused Dana Fork flows to drop to the set withdrawal threshold, below which alternate water sources must be explored. Groundwater may potentially buffer the effect of multi-year droughts on both meadow systems and streamflow and be more resilient in the face of drought or low snowpack than other freshwater sources. Conversely, the municipal water supply in Yosemite Valley is sourced directly from groundwater. The project will analyze water sample data from streamflow, known spring locations, and groundwater wells in Tuolumne Meadows and Yosemite Valley regions, and investigate recharge dynamics. Samples from water supply sources in both locations will be included in water sample analysis in order to better understand age distribution of the municipal water supply in those locations. The SIPs contributions to this project will help inform park managers about the resiliency of alpine groundwater supported meadow and stream systems, as well as water supply sources in the face of drought conditions.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Alpine groundwater in Yosemite supports many native and rare plant species and provides unique habitat for aquatic and terrestrial animals alike. Furthermore, groundwater flows into streams and rivers during the late summer and fall when snow has mostly melted off the landscape, preventing them from going dry when rainfall and snowmelt are scarce. Snowmelt is known to be a major source of recharge for groundwater meadow systems, but the residence time of this recharge in meadows is uncertain. During droughts, streamflow also can come almost entirely from groundwater. Thus, groundwater may potentially buffer the effect of multi-year droughts on both meadow systems and stream flow. Additionally, little is known about the extent to which spring water and older groundwater sourced from deep within the granitic bedrock contributes to these systems.
The SIP will support a groundwater study focused in Tuolumne Meadows aimed at understanding groundwater sources and residence times in alpine and meadow systems. The SIP will primarily conduct analysis and interpretation of data from water quality samples, stream gages, groundwater monitoring wells, and snowpack. They will also have the opportunity to apply groundwater/surface water modeling techniques or end member mixing analysis to further constrain their analysis.
DELIVERABLES
The SIP will be responsible for producing analytical figures and data and summarizing the results and findings in a final report.
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
The applicant must have completed an undergraduate degree in hydrology, chemistry, earth sciences, or related field. Current or recent graduate students are encouraged to apply. Previous experience with geochemical, water quality, groundwater, or streamflow data is desirable, as well as general experience with complex data analysis and scientific writing. Previous coursework in geochemistry, hydrology, groundwater, coding, and earth science broadly are a plus. The applicant should be able to conduct projects well independently both in the office and in the field, have basic map reading and GPS orientation skills, and must be comfortable hiking cross-country in a rugged mountain environment. Strong coding and computing skills are essential, including organizing and analyzing large environmental data sets.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
Yosemite National Park is famous for its soaring cliffs, spectacular waterfalls, deep glacial valleys, and rugged wilderness. Yosemite Valley includes such geologic landmarks as Half Dome, El Capitan, and Yosemite Falls, the tallest waterfall in North America. The elevation of the park ranges from 2,127 ft. in the western foothills to 13,114 ft. at the crest of the range. Yosemite National Park is in the center of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, which were formed during two phases of mountain building. The Yosemite landscape consists of primarily granitic rocks with sparse metamorphic roof pendants. Small glaciers and snowfields still cling to the highest peaks and feed clear rushing creeks and rivers. The 11,000 feet of altitudinal variation in the park supports a wide variety of life forms. During the dates this position is open, much of the high country above 8,000 feet is under snow, but Yosemite Valley and the Merced River Canyon are generally snow-free for much of the winter. Most fieldwork will take place in these areas. The job may involve strenuous physical activity (steep hiking for several hours at altitude), and exposure to heights and to weather extremes. The participant will receive training in backcountry safety, travel, and navigation. Mariposa, the nearest community, has a large grocery store, hospital, public library, etc. Smaller versions of these facilities are also located in Yosemite Valley. Fresno (~90 miles away) is the nearest large (university) town with a full range of amenities, including Fresno-Yosemite International Airport. Yosemite National Park has almost unlimited hiking, snowshoeing, and backcountry skiing opportunities in the winter, and hosts a small ski resort at Badger Pass.
HOUSING
Park housing is available and will be provided at no cost to the participant.
Housing is in shared facilities, either in a dorm, apartment, or house in El Portal. The selected candidate will most likely be sharing a kitchen and living space with another individual but may have their own room. Units are furnished with beds, couches, tables, dressers, full bathrooms, range, oven, and refrigerator.
You should bring any household items you cannot live without. Some recommendations of items you may want to bring: sheets, pillows, and bedding for a twin size mattress, mattress pad, towels, toiletries, personal computer, a variety of warm weather clothing, rain gear, clothes hangers, laundry basket/hamper, bicycle (not necessary, but nice to have), decorations to make you feel at home, broom, mop, and cleaning supplies, kitchen towels, dishcloths, sponges, plates, bowls, mugs, glasses, pots, pans, utensils, and coffee pot or tea kettle. If placed in shared housing, you will receive roommate contact information before move-in to coordinate bringing shared items, if desired.
Cell reception in El Portal is limited (Verizon is best, but all carriers are spotty due to the landscape). Cable TV and Internet are not provided, but WiFi is available at the library, community center, and two residential 'hubs,' or can be set up at the resident’s expense. Pets and other occupants are not permitted.
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.
OUR COMMITMENT
Stewards Individual Placements and Conservation Legacy are 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 Scientists in Parks using the email address at the base of the home page, under “Questions? Contact Us!”
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 the host site throughout the 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, monthly accomplishment tracking, a mid-term report, and a final report.
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 (5) 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 Yosemite 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!”
