GIS and Trail Wayfinding Field Technician
Summary: American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Joshua Tree National Park, is seeking 3 members to contribute to our parks Trails Management Plan, and 49 Palms project, Hidden valley, and California Riding Hiking projects working with and alongside National Park Staff.
For more information about ACE and to apply, please visit:
Start Date: 01/09/2023
End Date: 01/13/2024
*a 52-week minimum commitment is required *
Location: Joshua Tree National Park encompasses nearly 800,00 acres in southern California. Joshua Tree is situated in the Mojave Desert and the Colorado Desert we generally have mild winters with occasional rain or snowstorms. In the summertime the greater Joshua Tree area reaches temperatures well over 100 degrees. In the winter, spring and fall times Joshua Tree provides excellent opportunities for rock climbing and wilderness exploration. The nearby towns of Twentynine Palms and Yucca Valley have all services like groceries, libraries, etc. Palm Springs has bigger city amenities 45 minutes away. Los Angeles and Las Vegas are both about 3 hours away. We're located only a few hours from the California coast and about 3 hours from the Mexican border with the state of Baja California Norte.
For more information about Joshua Tree National Park, please visit: https://www.nps.gov/jotr/index.htm
Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $780.00/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly. A reimbursable gear allowance at a Not To Exceed rate of $400 is available. A reimbursable travel/ relocation allowance at a Not To Exceed rate of $800 is available.
Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or Joshua Tree National Park.
Scheduling: Each ACE member is expected to work a schedule of 4, 10-hour days a week. Monday- Thursday from 6am-4:30pm.
Position Description: American Conservation Experience (ACE) and Joshua Tree National Park (JOTR) is recruiting to hire an experienced Geographic Information System (GIS) technician that has a fundamental understanding of all aspects of trail planning and alignment. Applicants must be able to competently identify trail structures such as check-steps, muti-tier wall, riprap, and water bars. Applicants must be able to understand trail planning for reroutes and must be able to identify problematic sections of trails.
The Trail GIS Field Technician will perform duties related to a broad spectrum of projects including, but not limited to trail assessments, data entry, trail maintenance work, drystone work, leading youth groups, and graffiti clean-up. Assisting the parks sign shop with fabrication and installs. More specifically, the Trail GIS Tech will be involved in the following projects:
· Ground-truthing and updating GIS data.
· Conducting trail assessments on existing trails and conducting new assessments for potential future trails in Joshua Tree.
· Working alongside the parks GIS specialist and GIS staff to compile information for system updates.
· Creating an updating metadata.
· Provide GIS technical assistance, training, and planning with filed office staff on GIS software and geodatabases.
· Applicants may assist NPS trail crew with project work on trails, dry-stonework, and maintenance runs.
· Applicant must have the experience to safely navigate off and on trail, read maps and plan for unforeseen weather changes.
This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.
Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a hiring authority upon completion of their term of service. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility.
Qualifications:
Required:
● Members must be US citizen or Permanent Resident, as required to comply with U.S. government contracts
● Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
● Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
● A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
● Willing to undergo and must pass required criminal history checks.
● Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
● ACE Members must verify that they are fully vaccinated for Covid-19 or have requested and been granted a medical or religious exemption to vaccination by the time they start their term.
● To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website here: https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements
Preferred Skills:
● Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a bachelor's degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as GIS field collecting, trail work, trail assessments, dry-stonework, and working in a team environment.
● Proficient using GIS software, specifically ESRI suite including ArcMap with working knowledge of components, tools, and techniques to create maps, manipulate and analyze data, as well as organize layers, required.
● Capacity to collect and maintain filed data in an organized manner that is easily understood and accessible to other staff.
● Applicant must have experience to safely navigate off trail, read maps and plan for unforeseen weather changes.
● Knowledge of trail maintenance, trail tools, dry-stonework, GIS data collecting/ data entry, basic carpentry hand tools.
● Ability and willingness to work with local youth and conservation corps on short term projects.
● Deep interest in trail work, trail assessments, trail structures and the benefits of GIS regarding trail planning.
● Knowledge of the Mojave region, including common plants, wildlife, and/or geology/topography, desirable.
● Effectively communicate, both written and orally, with a diverse audience.
● Physically able to work long days outside in inclement weather, hike on and off trail. Able to carry up to 50 pounds of equipment.
● Successful applicant(s) must complete a Department of Interior (DOI) background investigation or submit paperwork to NPS human resources indicating an active and fully adjudicated background investigation has already been completed prior to beginning position.
To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to the online application page for this position here:
Early consideration will be given as resumes are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position, please feel free to contact Recruitment and Outreach Specialist, Shannon Borowy at sborowy@usaconservation.org
EEO: American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.