Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Grand Canyon Conservancy and Grand Canyon National Park, is seeking two Hydrology Members to assist NPS Staff with backcountry hydrology fieldwork projects, data collection, and data management. 

For more information about ACE, please visit our website. 

Start Date: February 3rd, 2025

Estimated End Date: November 8th, 2025 (extension may be possible)

*a 40-week minimum commitment is required*

Location Details/Description: The member will report to the Geosciences Program of the Science and Resource Management Division of Grand Canyon National Park in Flagstaff, Arizona. The member will primarily be working in the Flagstaff office and be performing field work on multi-day, overnight backcountry projects in the park. A significant part of the workload will be in support of hydrology and aquifer studies (e.g., spring and stream monitoring and dye trace studies) related to the Trans-Canyon Water Line and other large park infrastructure projects. There will be opportunities for cross-training in other Programs, such as Paleontology, Air Quality, and Geohazards.

Grand Canyon National Park in Northern Arizona encompasses more than 1.2 million acres, including 278 miles (447 km) of the Colorado River and adjacent uplands. Located on the ancestral homeland of 11 Associated Tribes, Grand Canyon is one of the most spectacular examples of erosion and geologic exposure anywhere in the world and offers incomparable vistas above and below the canyon rim. There are multiple aquifer systems throughout the park, as part of a larger regional aquifer system, that create unique springs and riparian areas in the canyon.

The duty station for this position is in Flagstaff, Arizona, approximately seventy miles from the park.

For more information about Grand Canyon National Park, please visit the NPS website. 

Position Overview: The member will be responsible for assisting with the planning and preparation of multi-day backcountry trips into the canyon. This will include creating field itineraries, completing necessary forms & permits for backcountry work, reviewing and following Standard Operating Procedures for hydrologic data collection and maintenance of monitoring equipment. In the field, the member will assist with instrumentation and maintenance of backcountry cave, spring, and stream gage sites; perform hydrology data collection of water samples, discharge, water quality measurements, and downloads of logger data in accordance with protocols; and backcountry hiking, camping, and caving. In preparation for field work, the member will assist with research of previous trip reports, research of existing gauge setups, and types of instrumentation. The member will also be responsible for the data management of field samples to include data mining, compilation, organization, and archiving into Park database systems.

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Schedule: Work schedule is flexible and consists of 80 hours per two-week pay period. Office days are typically 8 hours, and field days are typically 10 hours. Some weekend work should be expected.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $840/week to offset the costs of housing, food, and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service and 640 hours of service. If the duration of a PLC-eligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service (~16 weeks), the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC-eligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general eligibility information on our website.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or NPS. The member will report to the Geosciences Program Manager of the Science and Resource Management Division of Grand Canyon National Park located in Flagstaff, Arizona. The member will primarily be working in the Flagstaff office and be performing field work on multi-day, overnight backcountry projects in the park. Housing will need to be procured by the members in the Flagstaff area. 

Project Travel Allowance: ACE members will be reimbursed for up to $200 in relocation expenses to Flagstaff and will have up to $4000 to spend on eligible project travel and professional development opportunities. Eligible project travel for this position must be approved by ACE staff prior to purchase. 

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support. Members will also complete NPS-specific training and be trained on the field procedures and data management work in the Geosciences Program at the Park.

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident.
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner. 
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record.
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required two-part criminal history check.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation. 
• Members may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are required.
• Ability to carry 30-50lb packs on multi-day, overnight backcountry trips. 
• Ability to hike in steep and rugged terrain, often off-trail, during extreme weather conditions (heat, cold, wet, dry).
• Comfortable caving and working in dark, sometimes narrow passages.
• To learn more about ACE eligibility requirements, please visit our website. 

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a minimum of an undergraduate degree in geosciences or a related field with coursework in hydrology, geomorphology, and geologic field methods, or similar subjects.
• Experience measuring water quality and flow and collecting water samples in the field.
• Knowledge of hydrology data loggers, installation, and data transfer.
• Knowledge of ArcGIS and statistical programs (e.g., “R”, Python, etc.) for data management, mapping, and analysis.
• Knowledge of basic scientific research protocols.
• Experience with climbing, ascending, or rappelling using ropes.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions: 

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain, and camp overnight under field conditions. Ability to carry 30-50lb packs on multi-day backcountry trips. Ability to hike in steep and rugged terrain, often off-trail, during extreme weather conditions (heat, cold, wet, dry).
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 30-50 lbs., ability to move up to 30-50 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. 
• Noise Environment: Quiet to Moderate Noise.
• Travel: This position may require domestic travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, fast-flowing streams, desert conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/Members or resources.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the NPS. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the NPS. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the NPS, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to NPS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.