POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4563
Position Title: Geology Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Yellowstone National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Number of positions available: 1
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 26 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 10/25/2026
End Date: 04/25/2027
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: $ 3,697.00 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: Hydrothermal, Geochemistry, Volcanology, Geomorphology, GIS
PURPOSE
This Geology Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. The SIP Member will assist with chemical and thermal field and administrative/office projects, allowing for the collection and analysis of high-quality data on patterns and changes within the Yellowstone hydrothermal system. The Member will coordinate various projects furthering the mission of the YNP Geology team.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The Yellowstone National Park Geology department works to monitor, preserve, and research the parks’ complex and fascinating hydrothermal systems and geological resources. The department’s priorities and responsibility span a variety of tasks from hydrothermal monitoring to risk assessment to data management. Depending upon the skill level, knowledge, and interest of the SIP Member, the Member may be involved in one of the following projects: 1) The SIP Member will develop and revise SOPs and other documentation in order to systematize departmental workflows. 2) The SIP Member will maintain a network of data loggers based in the Old Faithful area and other regions of the park during the winter, to better understand how these loggers (and especially telemetered loggers) respond to winter conditions 3) The SIP Member will collect chemistry data from select thermal features in winter to better understand year-round chemistry changes to these features. Other tasks include collecting chemical and temperature data from hydrothermal features; maintaining scientific monitoring equipment across the park; assisting and accompanying outside scientists conducting research; assisting and accompanying Yellowstone National Park divisions in natural resource preservation; providing geologic guidance on infrastructure design and maintenance; and educating the public about the park’s geologic systems.
DELIVERABLES
The skill level, knowledge, experience, and interest of the SIP Member will determine which specific projects and deliverables that the Member will be focusing on. The Member may: Develop departmental SOPs on using department equipment and software, along with analyzing supplemental data to show the robustness of such methods; develop a standard protocol for cataloging geologic samples; conduct routine field activities to service and download data from environmental dataloggers; design and construct improved equipment for monitoring high-temperature aqueous environments; analyze data collected on the recovery of thermophilic bacterial colonies from graffitiing; gather long-term satellite data of Biscuit Basin to quantify hydrothermal feature change; document hazards to personnel when getting to different hydrothermal sites; or update a protocol for publishing hydrothermal data for publication.
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 of the SIP project. 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 activities 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. Demonstrated skills in programming (Python is preferred) or database management is also necessary. An applicant must have the ability to conduct projects 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 mostly performed in the office, with opportunities for field activities. The position will be based out of Old Faithful Village in the interior of Yellowstone National Park, WY, at an elevation of 7,500 feet. 32 miles to the north is the town of West Yellowstone, MT, a small town which has two grocery store and several restaurants. Bozeman, MT is about 120 miles from Gardiner. Most park roads are closed in the winter to wheeled traffic, and staff will be issued a snowmobile to travel about the park. When in the field, the individual should anticipate conduct projects in mountain weather conditions with the presence of wildlife, including large mammals. It will be winter during the SIP project period, so temperatures will likely be in the 50s and below. Winter weather can be below freezing and snowing. field activities may require travel of up to 60 miles by snowmobile. Multi-day field projects sessions may require overnight stays in the interior of the park, for which housing will be provided. Snowmobile training will be provided.
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 Member. The SIP Member will be responsible for all their own cooking and house cleaning. Park housing does not provide WiFi. No pets are allowed. Verizon tends to be the best cellular service.
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 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!”
