GIS Data Management Fellow - USFWS Region 6 Regional Office- Remote

GIS Data Management Fellow - USFWS Region 6 Regional Office- Remote

SummaryAmerican Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking one GIS Data Management Fellow to contribute to GIS and data management projects alongside FWS Region 6 RO Staff. In addition to ad hoc assistance with regional mapping requests, this position will mainly support refuge field stations in the organization and management of geospatial data related to current and past management actions (e.g., grazing, chemical use, restorations, plantings, etc). Data will be compiled and entered into national GIS data layers.

For more information about ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org.

Start Date: Mid Sept/Early Oct 2023Estimated End Date: 09/30/2024*a 52-week minimum commitment is required, approximately 2080 hours*

Location Details/Description: USFWS Region 6 Regional Office, Lakewood, CO, Remote

The Mountain-Prairie Region consists of 8 states in the heart of the American west including Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming. The region is defined by three distinct landscapes. In the east lie the central and northern Great Plains, primarily the vast mixed- and short-grass prairies. To the west rise the Rocky Mountains and the intermountain areas beyond the Continental Divide, including parts of the sprawling Colorado Plateau and the Great Basin. The northeastern part of the Region contains millions of shallow wetlands known as the "prairie potholes," which produce a large portion of the continent's waterfowl.

Some of the nation's greatest rivers rise in the Region including the Missouri, Colorado, and Platte rivers. The fish and wildlife that make their home on the Region's prairies and in its mountains are among the nation's most iconic species: grizzly bear, gray wolf, the American bison, and cutthroat trout.

People, too, live here and are an active presence on the land. The Region includes 40 Indian Tribes, many of whom manage large land holdings, as do other federal agencies such as the Department of Defense. Energy development, agricultural trends and urbanization all exert influences on the Region's landscapes.

For more information about USFWS R6 Regional Office, please visit https://www.fws.gov/about/region/mountain-prairie

Position Overview: The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. This position will help FWS realize that mission at the Region 6 Regional Office. Developing geospatial Authoritative Data Layers (ADLs) across the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) continues to be a priority. Documenting management actions (i.e., what we do for management on NWRs) is one of several ADLs this position will support. Refuges across the 8-state Mountain-Prairie Region have current and historical geospatial data representing management actions. This position will work directly with many field stations to understand the existing data, QA/QC/ data, if necessary, and migrate that data to national data layers. Opportunities to travel to field stations may be possible to work directly with staff, and learn about how national wildlife refuges meet their mission and serve the American public.

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.

The member will provide support and assistance under the guidance and direction of FWS staff in the accomplishment of the following tasks:

• Provide data management support to various refuge field stations by working on existing data sets (in various formats - shapefiles, geodatabases, etc.) reviewing for completeness and accuracy. Once finished and reviewed by station staff, load data into national Authoritative Data Sets stored on ArcGIS Online. Primary data themes are Management Actions and Assets.
• Provide mapping support, as necessary, to regional office staff in the Division of Scientific Resources for ad hoc requests. This will involve working with others to clearly understand the request and deliver requested mapping products (e.g., pdf maps, images for presentations, spatial datasets).
• Provide training assistance, as needed, to field or regional office users in the use of ArcGIS Online and Field Maps (ESRI mobile application) and the use of NWRS Authoritative Data Layers. Provide assistance, as necessary, in helping refuge staff migrate from ArcMap to ArcGIS Pro software.
• Communicate effectively with field and regional office staff to ensure quality work is completed on time and properly documented, as necessary.
• Work independently and remotely on assigned tasks, while maintaining effective communication with team members.

Schedule: This position will be fully remote (with possible field station visits to work with staff compiling data). Duties will typically be carried out between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm Mountain Time, Monday - Friday, typically 5 days/week (5/8s) with flexibility up to 10 hours/day. Bi-weekly totals should not exceed 80 hours. Therefore, a flexible work schedule may be required, which could involve work performed outside of normal work hours including on weekends and/or holidays. Time off may be granted and requests should be directed to ACE and FWS for approval.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $800/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service and 640 hours of service. If the duration of a PLC-eligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service (~16 weeks), the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC-eligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general information online: https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or FWS.

Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position must be approved by ACE staff prior to purchase.

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support. Specific training may include ArcGIS Online training as well as all necessary knowledge to work effectively with national data layers.

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by 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 the required two-part criminal history check
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.
• Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement
• Proficiency in the use of ESRI ArcGIS products (ArcGIS Pro (2x or 3x) and ArcGIS Online. Knowledge of editing data in various formats (e.g., shapefiles, and feature classes), editing techniques (e.g., heads of digitizing, load and append).
• Good organizational skills for local products prior to transfer to national layers (i.e., good data management, file structures).
• Ability to effectively communicate with local field staff regarding task at hand and work to reach effective solutions. This is a remote position thus most communication will occur via Teams.
• Must have access to an internet connection of sufficient quality to work effectively with field and regional office staff. This is critical to being successful in this position.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website: https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold a Bachelor's of Arts or Sciences degree in natural resource management, geography, or other field (with required GIS experience) appropriate to this position.
• Knowledge of ArcGIS Online specifically with regards to data editing, map generation, constructing and working with web maps, feature services, and other online data sets. Knowledge of Field Maps mobile application (or ArcGIS Collector) is helpful. Programming skills to automate or semi-automate processes is helpful, but not required.
• Ability and willingness to understand, learn about, and improve spatial data quality and content within the National Wildlife Refuge System. Ability to train field staff, if necessary, to facilitate task completion.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team including the ability to remain flexible and positive as assignments shift between regional office tasks and field support with ADLs.
• Deep interest in building quality spatial data and seeing that data used to help make better decisions.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch.

Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.

• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 10 lbs., ability to move up to 10 pounds.
• Environmental: Primarily indoor conditions. When indoor, office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
• Noise: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position may require domestic travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the FWS or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the FWS including the use of a laptop with ArcGIS installed.. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the FWS, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to FWS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.

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: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/. 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 ACE EPIC FWS Program Manager, Nich Jackosky, at njackosky@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.

Current Openings for GIS Data Management Fellow USFWS Region 6 Regional Office Remote Jobs at American Conservation Experience - EPIC