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Position Title: Field Technician/Abandoned Mine Hunter - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: 3232 Nursery Rd, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83815

Application Timeline: Preference given to applicants that submit application by January 29, 2025

Terms of Service:

• Start Date: 6/14/2026 (flexible)

• End Date: 9/4/2026 (flexible)

• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 450 Hour Slot

GEOSCIENTISTS IN FORESTS PROGRAM:

The USDA Forest Service Washington Office Lands, Minerals and Geology (WO-LMG) in partnership with the Conservation Legacy is pleased to announce the 2026 Geoscientists in Forests (GSF) Program offering paid professional development opportunities to emerging geoscientists that leverage Agency capacity to conduct critical geologic work in alignment with the administration’s priorities (see Executive Orders and Secretarial Memos listed below).

The GSF Program specializes in individual placements that address geoscience-related needs and management priorities. The program is designed for individuals aged 18-30, and veterans up to age 35. Projects involve predominantly field-oriented research, inventory and monitoring, and geoscience interpretation for agency staff and the public. GSF programs support Forest Service responsibilities under Executive Orders on American energy (EOs 14154, 14156, 14241), Secretarial Memo 1078-005, and the Public Land Corps Act’s workforce development focus.

The primary purposes of the Geoscientists in Forests Program are to:

• Address critical geoscience needs on National Forest System lands;

• Foster geoscience career growth to support mineral and energy development in alignment with the administration’s priorities;

• Provide on-the-ground geoscience training and immersive paid developmental experience for emerging geoscience professionals under Forest Service mentorship

POSITION:

The Geoscientists in Forests Program is seeking geoscience professionals to address critical needs on National Forest System lands. 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. The USDA Forest Service - Lands, Minerals, and Geology in partnership with Stewards will host a Field Technician/Abandoned Mine Hunter at the Idaho Panhandle National Forests.

This Field Technician/Abandoned Mine Hunter is an AmeriCorps position that will mainly focus on abandoned mine inventory projects including site inspections, documenting conditions and hazards and updating database with findings. Includes some office/GIS tasks but mostly expected to be a field going position. There will be a lot of driving and hiking, some in difficult terrain, and mostly solo once training is complete. Mine sites can be anywhere within the IPNF boundaries. Applicant may also assist in administration of the Emerald Creek Garnet Area which includes working at the site and assisting the public through the garnet collection process.

By the end of the project it is expected that 30-40 mine features will have been visited and inventoried and the IPNF abandoned mine lands (AML) database updated. Mine specific mitigations will be prescribed for sites that are found within proposed timber sale harvest & burn units based on the information gathered, which the participant will learn to do.

Description of Duties:

· Technician will use ArcGIS/LiDAR imagery and other available tools to pinpoint and load known mine feature locations into a tablet or phone using Survey 123/Avenza or other similar program for field planning

· Using a Forest Service vehicle, technician will find and inspect mine sites, and fill out a survey form using a tablet for each feature identified as potentially hazardous/requiring action

· Accurate location information will be collected/recorded for each site/feature

· Finding sites may include driving on low-maintenance roads that could be quite rough and hiking in variable terrain as needed

· Photographs will be taken of each feature, including a scale when possible

· Measurements will be taken of each feature where practicable

· Water flowing from adits may be tested using a multi-parameter tester to record pH, temperature, salinity etc.

· Collected data and access information will be uploaded to AGOL and used to update current inventory tables

· Data may be entered into nationwide AML database and/or ArcPRO

· For open features technician will provide suggestions on how best to mitigate the hazard depending on remoteness/access and level of risk present

· Technician may be trained to use the hand-held XRF analyzer to sample soils and waste rock dumps at mine sites and record findings

· Technician may be asked to work at the Emerald Creek Garnet Area public dig site occasionally. Tasks would include greeting the public & checking them in, answering questions, assisting in site maintenance and monitoring activities

Qualifications:

· Advanced hiking skills in difficult terrain and be very safety conscious

· Outdoor experience is essential

· Ability to collect data using electronic devices and upload information to online portal, update database/spreadsheets, take good photographs, measurements and notes and keep things organized.

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• Applicants must be between ages of 18-30 years old, or up to 35 for veteran, based on Public Land Corps Act of 1993 authorizing this AmeriCorps opportunity.
• 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.
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.

· Able to pass a federal background check for Forest Service credentialing and technology access.

· Over 21 and possess a valid driver's license (or have had a valid driver’s license for 3 or more years) and a good driving record if needed to drive a government vehicle.

Preferred Qualifications:

· College coursework in Geosciences or related fields

· Prior abandoned mine experience

Additional Position and Community Information

· Northern Idaho is part of the Rocky Mountain province and is dominated by several mountain ranges and large lakes and river systems. Rocks include Belt Supergroup quartzite and argillite/siltite sequences along with large granitic intrusions and smaller scale mafic intrusions. Outdoor recreation opportunities include hunting, fishing, camping, gold panning, 4 wheeling/dirt biking, foraging for mushrooms and huckleberries, bird/wildlife watching and boating.

· Most of the mine sites are located in remote areas of the Forest, though some are proximal to roads/towns and trails. The terrain tends to be very steep and rugged and some areas have not had timber or fuels treatments for decades and access roads, if present, tend to be heavily brushed and may be impassible. Office will be in a cubicle setting but is expected to be minimal.

· The area is known for its natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities, which include hunting, fishing, camping, gold panning, 4 wheeling/dirt biking, foraging for mushrooms and huckleberries, bird/wildlife watching, swimming, boating, rafting etc.

· The participant will learn about abandoned mines and how they are managed on federal lands, how to assess a site for hazards, learn about the different methods used to close mines and make recommendations for closure of specific sites, work on navigation skills and GIS/maps. Participant will learn to write mitigation plans for sites within timber sale harvest units or prescribed burn units to avoid risk to human health & safety and damage to resources. May serve with forest archaeologists and learn about site assessment and mine inventory work from the heritage perspective as well.

Housing Description:

· There is some housing available in our Avery, ID District location which is a barracks/dorm situation with shared rooms. Internet is provided. Field sites are in the Silver Valley along I-90 and surrounding areas, primarily.

Is a personal vehicle required:

· Personal Vehicle is required for transportation from housing to District Office.

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $1,956.35
• Living Allowance of $600.00 per week.
• Additional Benefit of $100.00 per week.
• Student Loan forbearance if Eligible (administered by MyAmeriCorps, directly)
• Interest Payments if Eligible (administered through MyAmeriCorps, directly)

How to Apply
Apply on-line at: https://stewardslegacy.org/open-positions. In addition to your resume, please submit a one page cover letter highlighting why you are interested in this position and how your background and experience will help you succeed in this position.

Application Timeline: Position will close on January 29, 2025.

Supervisor Name and Contact Information:

· Program Contact information: Sam Rush at srush@conservationlegacy.org

· Service Site Contact information: Niranjan Walters at niranjan.walters@usda.gov

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 the hiring manager.

Additional Details

Our Commitment:

Conservation Legacy is 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 the hiring manager.

Time Requirements:

• This position is expected to serve 40 hours each week, but exact service schedules may vary. Likely 4-10s schedule will be followed.
• Lunch breaks will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service.
• 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 an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
• In-house training provided by FS Staff.

Evaluation and Reporting:

As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of 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.