POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4479
Position Title: Geomorphology 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: 20 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 10/11/2026
End Date: 02/28/2027
AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 675 hours - this is the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve throughout the duration of their position.
BENEFITS
- Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: $ 2,817.00 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: fluvial geomorphology, geomorphology, hydrology, geology, riverine processes, streams, rockfall
PURPOSE
This Geomorphology Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. Large wood survey: The large wood survey would quantify whether park policy changes and river restoration efforts over the past ten years have been successful at reversing decades of systematic damage to aquatic habitat in Yosemite Valley. Results would be used to plan future river restoration efforts in the park.
Rockfall: With frequent rockfalls and nearly 5 million annual visitors, Yosemite National Park is subjected to significant rockfall risk. Rockfall related road closures are common, there are occasional impacts to infrastructure, and even injuries and fatalities. The results of this effort will inform the public about rockfall risks through an interactive web map and supporting publications and help park managers decide how to understand and mitigate risk to trails, roads, and other infrastructure. This will also help to develop a protocol for more efficiently documenting and reporting rockfalls in Yosemite.
Glaciers: The relating to glacier change will help to determine the amount of water that glaciers contribute to streamflow, potentially impacting both downstream ecosystems and domestic water supplies for park visitors and employees.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The SiP will contribute to geomorphology projects in Yosemite National Park with Yosemite's geology and hydrology staff. The main focus of the position is to complete a large wood survey in the Merced River in Yosemite Valley, while other projects will focus on two major aspects of Yosemite geology - rockfalls and glaciers.
Large wood survey: Systematic removal of large woody debris from natural waterways in Yosemite began in the 1800s and continued until the 1980s. Recent research indicates that large wood removal was a primary driver of channel incision along substantial portions of the Merced River in Yosemite Valley. The resulting incision has led to extensive floodplain disconnection, reduced groundwater levels, simplification of channel planform and morphology, and decreased aquatic habitat quality. Hydraulic models of the Merced River have shown that riverbanks that used to overtop on a 2-yr recurrence interval now require a 5-yr or more recurrence interval flood to overtop.
In 2014 the superintendent issued a directive for the park to retain large wood in waterways to enhance aquatic habitat complexity and maintain geomorphic and ecological river processes. This study will assess whether large wood in the Merced River has increased relative to prior inventories conducted in the late 1990s, 2009, and 2011. The survey will be used to identify priority areas along the river for a pilot project to add large wood to the river, and determine if consistent implementation of the 2014 large wood retention directive and nearly a decade of river restoration projects have increased the amount of large woody debris in the river.
Rockfalls: Yosemite National Park experiences frequent rockfalls and other slope movements (such as debris flows), with an event occurring about every 5 days on average. Because rockfalls pose considerable risk to visitors and employees, tracking rockfall activity, analyzing these data, and sharing the information with park managers and the public is an essential tool for mitigating rockfall risk. The primary means of rockfall documentation in Yosemite is with a rockfall database (Stock et al., 2013), which records rockfall and other slope movement events going back to 1857. The database includes information about timing, location, size, impacts, and associated environmental conditions. Yosemite recently converted the database from a spreadsheet to a geodatabase and interactive web map:
https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/03e5fb490eaf4bef92494923a99c4fa0/
Collaborating with Yosemite's Park Geologist and collaborators at the U.S. Geological Survey, the project will update the rockfall geodatabase through 2024 and expand the database through the addition of supporting data, photos, and videos. The project will analyze rockfall occurrence data to understand better spatial patterns of rockfall activity and temporal patterns of rockfall triggering related to environmental conditions. The SIP will also assist in the field with rockfall response and documentation.
Glaciers: Yosemite National Park retains two small glaciers and associated ice patches. These glaciers, the subject of study since 1872, have been shrinking steadily. The second focus of this project would compile existing data relating to glacier area change through time, create a geodatabase and web map of glacier change through time, and analyze the data to determine trends and estimate when the glaciers may disappear.
DELIVERABLES
The primary deliverables will be a large woody debris inventory and summary report comparing current results with past surveys. Secondary deliverables will include an updated rockfall geodatabase and web maps of rockfalls and glacier extent, both available to the public. Other deliverables include field notes, photos, GIS-based maps and shapefiles, data tables, figures, and short reports, all of which may be incorporated into longer reports or publications. Many prior participants in Yosemite have been co-authors on peer reviewed maps and publications.
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 20 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
The applicant must have completed an undergraduate degree in the geosciences or earth sciences by the start of the position. Current or recent graduate students are strongly encouraged to apply. Previous geologic or hydrologic field experience, experience with data collection and analysis, coding, and writing experience are highly desirable, as is coursework in geomorphology, hydrology, geology, glaciology, and/or remote sensing. 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. The applicant must be able to conduct projects in cold and potentially rainy/snowy conditions while conducting winter field projects in Yosemite Valley. Computer skills are essential, including ArcGIS and large data sets. Prior experience with remote sensing data such as satellite and aerial imagery, lidar and/or Structure-from-Motion photogrammetry data is a plus.
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. 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 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 Geomorphology 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!”
