Hydrology Technical Assistant

Position Title:

Hydrology Technical Assistant – Ameri Corps

504 9th St, Craig, AK 99921

Preference given to applicants that submit application by January 29, 2026.

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.

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.

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

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 Ameri Corps 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 Hydrology Technical Assistant at the Tongass National Forest, Thorne Bay/Craig Ranger District.

This position is part of the Aquatics Team hydrology crew, based at the Craig Ranger District. The participant will assist the Hydrologist in collecting, organizing, and analyzing hydrologic data in preparation for natural resource management on Prince of Wales Island. Fieldwork will include a variety of surveys related to the protection and management of aquatic resources, including stream and road inventory, stream productivity, physical and biological characteristics, and habitat improvements.

Some physical labor may be required for stream restoration projects. This position requires long hours in the field, hiking over rough terrain in all types of weather, and a knowledge of ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS online.

The participant can expect to produce a summary of the service done over the summer, emphasizing issues found within the assessed roads and streams, and also complete analysis of the collected survey data. Data will be collected using ESRI Survey
123 and Field Maps. The analysis will be done using Excel spreadsheets, and a concise report will be prepared. In addition, the participant will update a map of the surveyed locations using ArcGIS Pro/Field Maps. A template will be provided.

• Assists the Hydrologist in the collection, organization, and analysis of hydrologic data in preparation for natural resource management on Prince of Wales Island.
• Organize and maintain gear and equipment.
• Prepare data sheets, GPS units, iPads, and maps for survey work.
• Conduct a variety of surveys related to the protection and management of aquatic resources including stream inventory, stream productivity, stream utilization, physical and biological characteristics, and habitat improvements or rehabilitation programs.
• Process, organize, and update hydrologic and fisheries data using Microsoft Excel, ArcGIS, ArcGIS Online, and apps like Collector and Avenza Maps.

• Able to work well in both field and office environments
• This position will involve primarily outdoor work and requires physical hiking and labor in remote areas on rough terrain
• Willing to be a team player and work independently sometimes
• Basic ArcGIS Pro skills and be able to generate maps and work with GIS data.

• United States citizen, United States national, or a…