Stewards Individual Placements and the US Forest Service will host an Applicant Webinar for all interested candidates on Thursday, January 8 at 3 PM ET / 1 PM MT. Please register to attend or review the recording here: Geoscientists in Forests | Stewards Individual Placement Program

Position Title: Physical Scientist Technician - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: 1393 Highway 169, Ely, MN 55731

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

Terms of Service:

• Start Date: 5/25/2026

• End Date: 8/14/2026

• 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 Physical Scientist Technician at the Superior National Forest, Kawishiwi Ranger District.

This Physical Scientist Technician is an AmeriCorps position that will serve ut of the Kawishiwi Ranger District office in Ely, MN, with a local, USFS soil scientist or geologist supervising their day-to-day activities. Primary duties of two of the positions will be largely focused on soil and water resource program projects, whereas the third position will be focused more on minerals inventory and monitoring.

The participants will gain valuable insight into the complexities of natural resource management on a national forest and explore various career opportunities. The data collected and information provided by the participants will be used for monitoring reports, accomplishment targets, and vegetation or minerals management projects. Participants will share and discuss the information gathered with their local, USFS soil scientist or geologist mentor. As time allows, the participants may be asked to present preliminary results from their service (either in writing or orally) to one or more Forest Service staff. Clearly written and properly stored project data is expected.

Description of Duties:

· Data entry and management in ArcGIS Pro, Arc GIS Online, and mobile device applications like Survey123 and Field Maps

· Document and evaluate the effects of forest management activities on soils, water resources, and forest vegetation

· Implementation and effectiveness monitoring of best management practices

· Conduct soil and water resource inventories in support of watershed restoration or vegetation management planning and implementation

· Mineral materials inventory and monitoring

o Landform and mineral material source identification

o Sieve tests

o Gravel pit volume calculations, inspections, identification of nonnative invasive plants, documentations of trespass, and evaluation of gravel pit operations

Qualifications:

· Able to work in the field with little supervision and can work independently and with others

· Able to demonstrate an awareness of safety (e.g., driving on rough gravel forest roads).

· Basic computer skills.

· Ability to communicate verbally and listen well

· The project involves outdoor work in all kinds of weather, buggy at times, and hiking in rugged terrain.

• 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:

· Soils and geosciences education

· Plant identification

· Experience with Microsoft Office Applications

· Experience with Survey123, Field Maps, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Pro

Additional Position and Community Information

· Much of the Superior National Forest consists of boreal forest (mixed conifer/aspen/birch) with many lakes, streams, and wetlands. Post glacial terrain is rugged, sometimes hilly, with areas of rock outcrops (i.e., the Canadian Shield). The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) is about a million acres, and one-third of the Superior National Forest.

· The project includes driving forest roads and hiking in remote areas over rough terrain. Conditions can be humid and buggy at times. The Forest has mixed cell phone coverage. Participants will be supplied with In-reach Garmin devices and radios to communicate, and for emergencies.

· Forest Service management and research and staff will be overseeing the project. The participant will be working largely with local mentors at the Kawishiwi Ranger District Office. They will also have opportunities to work with soil scientists, geologists, hydrologists, botanists, ecologists, and other management on the Superior National Forest, including research staff at the Northern Research Station in Grand Rapids, MN. Whether in the office or out in the field, participants will be working mostly in a team environment.

· At the beginning of the assignment, the local, USFS soil scientist/geologist mentor will work with the participants to identify projects of interest to further pursue and incorporate into the overall work plan as time allows. Hydrology, recreation, and wildlife have been other resource areas explored in past pursuits.

· Participants will have opportunities to work both independently and in a team environment, refining their leadership, planning, organization, and time management skills. They will get exposure to the Forest Service organization and a better understanding of how government agencies function. These positions will be expected to largely assist with field and office needs of the projects. However, depending upon the aptitude of the applicant a larger coordination role may be warranted.

Housing Description:

· Government housing is located at the duty station in Ely, MN, with parking accommodation and walking distance from the office. It's dormitory style accommodations with air conditioning and WiFi. It has designated cabinet space for each resident, along with a shared kitchen and living room space. Rooms are set up with bunk beds but are rarely shared between two people. Male and female residents are generally housed in separate bunkhouses. No pets are allowed. Visitors are allowed but not overnight. No alcohol is allowed.

Is a personal vehicle required:

· Personal Vehicle is not required.

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: Dave Morley at david.morley@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.
• 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.

· As time allows, all participants may be offered opportunities to attend local workshops or conferences, pertinent to the duties of the assignment and/or their long-term career development

· Safety is very important to the Forest Service, so all participants will be enrolled in and expected to complete all locally required safety training. As time allows, other safety training opportunities may be available (e.g., First Aid/CPR).

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.