Cave Guide - Geoscientists in Forests

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Position Title:  Cave Guide - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: 1312 Federal Way, Thorne Bay, Alaska 99919

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 Cave Guide at the Tongass National Forest, Thorne Bay Ranger District.

El Capitan Cave is the longest mapped cave in Alaska, with over two miles of explored passages. The USDA Forest Service (USFS) is seeking two Geoscientists in Forests participants to serve as Cave Guides in this unique and scenic environment. Primary duties include leading small groups (15 or less) on interpretive tours of El Capitan Cave. Tours generally last two hours and include discussion regarding the area's natural, cultural, and geological features. Secondary duties include minor trail work; brushing, cleaning, and mowing the administrative camp area, and other similar duties assigned. Guides are encouraged to explore the surrounding public lands to become better sources of area information. Guide training will be provided on site. In addition, field orientation with specialists (geology, archaeology, etc.) and required safety training (e.g., first aid/CPR, bear awareness, defensive driving) will be provided. Former guides have recommended that cave guides bring their own vehicle, if possible, to allow for some freedom to explore the island during off time. The project is seeking two candidates to participate this season.

The goal of this program is to provide safe, engaging and educational tours of El Capitan Cave to the public. Visitors to the cave will leave the tour with a better understanding of Cave and Karst resources and the natural environment of the Tongass National Forest.

Description of Duties:

·        Provide interpretive cave tours of El Capitan Cave

·        Maintain the El Cap Campground and administrative site (brushing, mowing)

Qualifications:

·        Willingness to engage with the public and experience working or recreating outdoors

·        Comfortable working in a damp, cold, underground environment and able to climb 250 feet of elevation to the cave

·        Must be comfortable living at a remote, off-grid cabin with no electricity.

• 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: 

·        Familiarity with cave and karst resources

·        Relevant experience in interpretive, public-facing or educational work

·        Coursework in the fields of geology, hydrology, ecology, archeology, or natural resources conservation

·        Experience in off-grid, remote, or backcountry environments

Additional Position and Community Information

·        Projects will take place on Northern Prince of Wales Island at the El Capitan Cave Interpretive Site. The site sits along the ocean, and the surrounding area is rugged and mountainous. In the temperate rainforest, summer temperatures rarely exceed 75 degrees Fahrenheit and rain is frequent. The local geology is generally characterized by recently-glaciated, paleozoic, sedimentary rocks including the Heceta Limestone.

·        The service site includes a 1/4-mile, moderately uneven trail through the forest to reach the cave. The tour route through the cave is approximately 900 feet. The cave is in a primitive condition with no artificial lighting, and natural, loose-cobble floors. The cave is constantly 42 degrees, drippy, and 100% humidity.

·        During the week (Wednesday-Sunday), guides will live at the El Capitan Cave Administrative Cabin, and may return to Thorne Bay in their off time where they will be given rooms at the Thorne Bay Bunkhouse. The service siteis approximately a 2-hour drive from the Thorne Bay Ranger District and a 30-minute drive to the nearest paved road. The nearest community is Whale Pass, about 45-minutes away, which has a library and small convenience store. A vehicle is provided by the USFS for travel to and from the Thorne Bay Ranger District to The El Cap Site.

Housing Description: 

·        Free onsite housing is provided by the USFS at no cost to the participant. Housing will be provided at the El Capitan Cave site on service days and at the Thorne Bay Bunkhouse on off days.

·        "On Duty" days (El Capitan Cave site) – Housing is in a rustic bunkhouse that fits 4 individuals. The shared bunkhouse space offers basic kitchen appliances, dishware, utensils, pots/pans, etc. and basic shower and heat in the facility. The bunkhouse has an outhouse. There is no electricity or cell phone service.

·        "Off Duty" days (Thorne Bay) – Bunkhouse rooms are provided; rooms may be shared with one other person. Bunkhouse has a full kitchen, shower, laundry, and common living room area. Bunkhouse is located approximately one mile from the grocery store, ¼ mile from the convenience store, and ½ mile from the library (free Internet access).

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
• Relocation Benefit of $1,200.00
• 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: Anna Harris at anna.harris1@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.

·        Guides will become knowledgeable, through experience and training by the Thorne Bay Geology office, in cave and karst resources as well as forest resources. Guides will gain a thorough understanding of cave and karst development, local geology, ecology, and history. They will become proficient and confident in leading groups safely through caves, and interpreting them for the public.

·        Guides will receive Forest Service safety trainings such as First Aid and CPR; also cave safety specifics. They will serve directly with the Thorne Bay Geology office to manage the Cave Interpretive Program, including interpretation/education, communications, health and safety, customer service, and marketing. The participants will have the opportunity to network with local geologists, archaeologists, and resource specialists.

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.

Salary : $100 - $600