EES NEWSLETTER
WEEK OF OCTOBER 8, 2024
EES 5010 GEOSCIENCE SEMINAR - 10/11/2024 - 125 TROWBRIDGE HALL - 3:30PM
Stephen J. Gustafson, PG - Civil & Environmental Engineering Section (CEMVR-EC-DN), US Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District
Life & Times of an Environmental Geologist
A discussion of Steve's previous background in environmental consulting, his experience with environmental laws/regulations and how they play a role in his job at the Corps, the ecosystem restoration side of his job at the Corps, and finally his volunteer efforts within Scott County.
REMINDERS
- Plans Of Study Deadline - Grad: 10/15
- Early Registration - Winter ‘24 & Spring ‘25: 11/11 - 11/30
- Single Thesis Deposit Due By 5PM CST: 12/9
- Close Of Classes: 12/13
- Final Exam Week: 12/16 -12/20
EES Annual Homecoming event - 10/25/24
Join us on Friday afternoon, 10/25, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Department of Geology at the University of Iowa!
There are several events from 10/24 - 10/26, with Friday highlights below:
- 9:00AM - Noon - EES Alumni Board Meeting, 135 TH
- 1:30 - 2:30PM - Dr. Emily Finzel will present regarding the new School of Earth, the Environment and Sustainability, 125 TH
- 2:30 - 3:30PM - Poster Session on First Floor Trowbridge
- 3:30 - 5PM, Distinguished Alumni Lecture: Dr. Bruce Railsback (BA, History - Iowa, ‘80; BS, Geology - Iowa, ‘81, MS, Geology - Iowa, ‘83; PhD - University of Illinois, ‘89), “An Earth Scientists’ Periodic Table of the Elements and Their Ions”
Full schedule to come next week!
Two CLAS departments collaborate for third Edge of Space Academy
The most recent cohort got hands-on with space-based instrumentation, conducting research, and working as a team as part of the immersive program led by the Department of Physics and Astronomy and Department of Geographical and Sustainability Sciences. (https://clas.uiowa.edu/news/2024/10/two-clas-departments-collaborate-third-edge-space-academy)
Volunteers (unpaid) wanted to wash mastodon bones
Do you have the patience to gently wash mud from fragments of bone on a Tuesday evening (5pm - 7pm) in Trowbridge Hall? Contact Tiffany Adrain (tiffany-adrain@uiowa.edu) if so or stop by TH 235 or 236 any afternoon.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
PROFESSIONAL / POST-GRAD
NRS2 Responsibilities:
- Interpret lidar derivatives and orthoimagery in ArcPro for digitizing landslide landforms.
- Participate in the Wildfire-Associated Landslide Emergency Response Team for assessing geologic hazards post-wildfire.
- Assist in conducting post-fire hazard assessments, including reconnaissance evaluations and installing/maintaining monitoring equipment.
- Contribute to reports about post-fire geological hazards.
- Perform field validation of landslides and alluvial fans.
- Update and create landslide inventories, susceptibility modeling, and hazard/risk maps, and verify these maps in the field.
- Manage and populate spatial geodatabases related to landslide data.
- Provide scientific consultation to state and local agencies and engage with stakeholders to promote and educate on landslide hazard assessments, as part of a team.
- Work well as part of a team to complete program objectives.
NRS3 Responsibilities:
- Use aerial imagery, lidar, and other remotely sensed products in ArcGIS Pro to identify landslide hazards.
- Plan and lead post-wildfire emergency assessments of geologic and hydrologic hazards, in both field and office settings.
- Develop and generate pre- and post-fire planning geologic and hydrologic models that highlight areas at risk of debris flows following a fire so that communities can make educated decisions.
- Independently determine how, when, and where post-fire hazard assessments are conducted, and train team members on proper field techniques.
- Supervise the installation and monitoring of post-fire monitoring equipment.
- Interpret results of post-fire monitoring equipment to calibrate post-fire debris flow models to Washington in partnership with federal agencies.
- Engage in active and continuous communication with agency and interagency partners, local partners, and the public in areas where research is being conducted to ensure a full understanding of the hazards mapped and the appropriate uses of the data.
- Serve as a project lead, in charge of reviewing the team’s mapping and monitoring progress for projects.
- Work well as part of a highly collaborative team to complete project objectives.
- This is a supervisory position.
Horticulturalist 12-Month, Full-Time, Non-Exempt - Grinnel College, Grinell, IA
Are you passionate about creating beautiful and sustainable landscapes? Grinnell College is seeking a dedicated and innovative Horticulturist to join our Facilities Management Grounds Team. In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to shape and maintain our vibrant campus environment, contribute to exciting planting projects, and enhance the natural beauty of our community. If you are someone who values excellence in horticulture, enjoys working collaboratively, and is eager to make a lasting impact, this position is for you!
This role is a union position so benefits and salary will be in line with the approved union contract.
Key Responsibilities
- Maintain and enhance the campus grounds, focusing on woody and perennial species.
- Collaborate with the team to innovate and improve landscape designs and plant collections.
- Participate in seasonal and event-specific projects, including snow removal and special campus events.
- Proactively identify and report service or repair needs to Facilities Management.
- Embrace and promote sustainability practices in all aspects of grounds maintenance.
Minimum Qualifications
- Associate’s degree or equivalent from two-year college or technical school
- Three years or more relevant work experience
- Flexibility to work varied hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and during special events
- Experience operating a variety of grounds/landscape equipment, including tractors, skid loaders, mowing equipment, and snow removal tools
- Ability to perform minor repairs on equipment and maintain it in peak condition
- Knowledge of plant species identification and management of invasive species
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and adapt to changing circumstances
- Demonstrated ability to create landscape design plans and communicate them to a variety of audiences
- State of Iowa certified pesticide applicators license in categories 3OT (turf/ornamentals) and 6 (right of way)
- Ability to manage interpersonal conflict as it arises
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree
Geologist Position - Lettis Consultants International (LCI) - Concord, CA
Lettis Consultants International (LCI) is looking to hire one Geologist to work on consulting and applied research projects in the fields of Engineering Geology and Geologic Hazards Assessment. The opening is an in-person position designated to work out of our Concord, California office. Although our focus is on junior-level hires (Staff and Project with 0 to 8 years of professional experience), we are interested in hiring highly motivated, creative, and successful consulting scientists with any amount of experience who are seeking professional and intellectual growth.
Applicants are expected to have an advanced degree (MS or PhD) and demonstrate outstanding analytical, writing, and oral communication skills. Travel to domestic and international field sites may be expected. Please submit your resume and a cover letter to newhires@lettisci.com.
Examples of previous work products (reports, dissertations, published papers) and professional references are desired.
LCI is an Earth Science consulting firm specializing in engineering geologic, seismic, and natural hazards investigations. LCI is a California state and federally certified small business headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area with satellite offices in the Sacramento area, Southern California, and Georgia. LCI is dedicated to providing its clients with science-based solutions to technically challenging Earth Science problems. LCI personnel have extensive experience conducting large, logistically complex, multi-disciplinary studies for critical facilities such as dams, canals, pipelines, and nuclear power plants within the US and internationally.
Desired technical skillsets include:
- Seismic and engineering geology
- Quaternary geologic, geomorphic, and/or active fault mapping,
- Pedogenic soil description and USCS soil classification,
- Application of Quaternary geochronology techniques for better understanding of geomorphic surfaces and processes,
- Paleoseismic studies, including trenching, geophysical, and borehole investigations of active faults,
- Landslide mapping, slope stability assessment, monitoring, and mitigation
- Drilling (soil borings and rock coring) to characterize subsurface geology, including stratigraphy, landslide geometry, and engineering geologic conditions,
- Instrumentation, including installation or analysis of data from piezometers, inclinometers,
- Bedrock geologic mapping, including petrographic, structural, and geochemical analyses,
- Cross-section construction and balancing,
- Interpretation and manipulation of lidar data, multi-beam bathymetric data, stereo aerial photography, and multispectral imagery,
- Review and synthesis of geologic, seismic, and geophysical datasets,
- Technically proficient with ArcGIS Pro; advanced GIS skills preferred,
Salary and Benefits
LCI’s compensation package includes full-time employment company paid medical and dental for employee and dependents; vision coverage; flexible spending program, life insurance, long- term disability insurance, paid maternity/paternity leave; 401(k)/Roth with company 3% safe harbor contribution; paid time off including 10 company holidays, vacation, sick, jury duty and bereavement.
LCI offers flexible work schedules, an employee assistant program (EAP), and is committed to providing professional growth and development in the form of scientific, educational, and philanthropic activities that contribute to the continuing education of all employees.
LCI is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a team that represents and values the diverse backgrounds of its employees. LCI promotes a positive work environment of inclusion, where we respect each other’s differences and recognize that a diverse and inclusive environment is key to our success.
This job specification should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive standards of the position. Incumbent will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as needed.
INTERNSHIP, RESEARCH, SCHOLARSHIP, FELLOWSHIP, & GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
INTERNSHIP
SUMMER INTERNSHIPS 2025 AT FREEPORT-MCMORAN
Freeport-McMoran is the largest publicly traded producer of copper in the world. It is headquartered in Phoenix and the North American mines are in Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado.
Internship categories include geology, environmental science, geomechanical engineering, mine engineering, and other types of engineering and supply chain. Working at a mine or in mining is a unique experience!
Apply here: https://lnkd.in/gBvnHNMy
Qualifications include: Full-time student currently enrolled at an accredited four-year university majoring in an appropriate discipline or closely related field; OR Recent college graduate having graduated within 12 months prior to internship start date with a degree or closely related field
The estimated pay range for this role is currently $27.50 - $34.25 /hour
RESEARCH
Join the Marek Lab at Virginia Tech studying the diversity of soil arthropods in California: opportunity for a Master’s student to collaborate on a California Institute for Biodiversity supported project investigating the soil arthropod diversity in California
This project seeks to discover and document arthropod diversity of shallow subterranean habitats (SSH) in California, accomplishing the following objectives: (1) survey subterranean arthropods in unexplored soil/MSS habitats of California, (2) deposit thousands of specimens of arthropods in museums, and (3) share data online in repositories that follow F.A.I.R. standards (data will be free, accessible, interoperable, and reusable). More about the sampling methodology is here: Harrison et al. 2024: https://doi.org/10.3897/subtbiol.49.128521).
Opportunities are also available to study the taxonomy and systematics of millipedes, including local Californian species. We provide competitive pay with a graduate research assistantship of $34k plus tuition and benefits. A start date in the Spring 2025 semester is preferred.
More details here: https://millipedes.ento.vt.edu/graduate-students/
winter break, 3-credit field course along the caribbean coast of mexico (ecosystem field studies)
Caribbean Ecosystem Field Studies
December 28, 2024 - January 17, 2025
· Earn 3 undergraduate college transfer credits in this exciting 3-week, hands-on, marine field study course.
· Learn practical scientific skills & field research methods through snorkeling, SCUBA diving & investigating the coral reef, beaches & spectacular coastal ecosystems of the Caribbean.
· Engage & connect with a dynamic & diverse group of student peers from throughout the US and beyond.
Get out in nature by the ocean, breath fresh air, earn credit, and enjoy a safe and inspiring field science course in the Caribbean Coral Reef
Open to students from all universities & majors | Accredited by the University of Montana at Missoula, Environmental Studies Program: ENST 391- for 3 undergraduate semester transfer credits
Direct questions to Professor Steve Johnson, EcoFS Director at steve@ecofs.org
Visit www.ecofs.org for all info!
WANT TO SHARE SOMETHING IN THE WEEKLY EES NEWSLETTER?
The EES Department newsletter is published every Tuesday during the academic year, outside of semester breaks. If you would like to add an event, club meeting, or other item of interest, please submit an email to clas-ees@uiowa.edu, with the subject heading "Newsletter item," on Fridays by noon, and your submission will be added to the following Tuesday's newsletter.
Thank You & Have a Great Week!