Invasive Plant Management Team Database Member - NPS Fort Collins Office - Hybrid

SummaryAmerican Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service, is seeking One Member to contribute to Invasive Plant Management Team (IPMT) program Database Management projects alongside NPS Staff.

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

Start Date: October/22/2023.

Estimated End Date: August/03/2024

*a 41-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: National Park Service (NPS), Fort Collins, Colorado - Hybrid (remote from co-location with NPS California Invasive Plant Management Team (IPMT) in Crescent City/Arcata/Orick, CA with some site visits)

Fort Collins, Colorado is a vibrant and livable community. Home of Colorado State University (CSU), the nation's second-ranked research university among those without a medical school and a robust natural resource management degree program through the CSU Warner College of Natural Resources. The city is located between the mountains and the plains and is a short drive to the Denver International Airport. It is a highly bikeable, small city (population at nearly 170,000) with dedicated bike trails, plenty of open space and parks within and surrounding the city, and an abundance of public lands on which to recreate. Fort Collins also has a public transportation network and shuttles to the airport and to Denver.

Position Overview:

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 Biological Resources Division (BRD) provides Service-wide perspective, expertise, and leadership in developing and communicating biological resource science and policy, and identifying and implementing new approaches to biological resources stewardship to help the National Park Service fulfill a core mission: to preserve unimpaired the natural resources and values of the National Park Service for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this generation and future generations. BRD is one of eight divisions that make up the Natural Resource Stewardship and Science (NRSS) Directorate of the National Park Service. BRD provides leadership, scientific expertise, and technological assistance to support and communicate the management and protection of biological resources and related ecosystem processes. BRD maintains offices in Fort Collins, Colorado.

The IPMT Database member will perform the duties below under the mentorship of BRD staff. Candidates must be able to pass a federal background check to obtain an official personal identity verification (PIV) credential. Work schedule negotiable after selection. Some travel opportunities will be available to work directly with NPS professionals in parks throughout the Region. In general, the member will assist with adapting a system for use at the national scale that was developed by the California Invasive Plant Management Team and program partners (Fire, Inventory and Monitoring) to bring park level data into the National Invasive Species Information Management System and make data and data management accessible to parks through an online interface.

Position Responsibilities include:

• Assist the California IPMT in integrating the ArcGIS Online data management system into parks served by the IPMT.
• When proficient with the California IPMT system, the intern will assist with identifying and outlining steps needed to expand the system to a national level to bring park invasive plant management data into the National Invasive Species Information Management System (NISIMS database).
  • Work will include determining overlap between park database fields and the national database, clarifying uncertainties from a 2018 survey of parks related to management of invasive species data, providing day to day data management support to the national office, and working with communications staff to develop outreach materials related to the national invasive plant management database.
  • If time and intern expertise allow, the intern will work with others to develop or enhance existing training modules and standard operating procedures and assist in the training of park staff in the use of the national system.

Supervisory Chain and Working Relationships:

The IPMT Database member will:

• Be supervised by and work closely with the BRD Data Manager and the California IPMT liaison.
• Work closely with BRD and California IPMT data manager support staff, IPMT program lead, and others in the Fort Collins office.
• Interface with regional and park representatives of the NISIMS working group, as well as staff in parks who control invasive plants.
• Travel as required for developmental purposes.

Schedule: General is Mon-Fri 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Pacific Standard Time or Daylight Savings Time when working within the Pacific Time Zone and 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Mountain Standard Time or Daylight Savings Time when working within the Mountain Time Zone, though flexible as long as in regular communication with Supervisor about schedule and whereabouts related to ability to respond to an emergent need. Hours could vary throughout the position since we work with colleagues in multiple time zones. The member will follow the schedule of Federal holidays and take these days off during the period of the commitment

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $710/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. 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 NPS.

Project Travel Reimbursement Stipend: The selected member is eligible to receive up to $5200 towards eligible project travel and professional development expenses.

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 a general introduction to the NPS, NISMIS and other database training, bi-annual training with IPMT program staff in Las Vegas in January 2024, and science communication training.

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required byU.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, please visit our website https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a B.S. in physical or biological sciences, geography, cartography, and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as GIS; database management; field data collection, summary, and analysis; forestry; plant ecology; ecosystem restoration.
• Basic knowledge of biological, physical, ecological processes, data management and GIS.
• Ability and willingness to work on two related projects, each in a different time zone and with a different supervisor.
• Deep interest in natural and cultural resource stewardship.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, and standing in an office setting. Some, walking, hiking, and carrying if field visits should arise. Manual dexterity required for use of various computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment or field data collection equipment.
• Vision Requirements: Requires ability to use a computer screen for work assignments.
• Environmental: Mainly indoor, office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled. There may be some time spent in outdoors in various, though not extreme, climates.
• Travel: This position may require domestic travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: 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 NPS or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the NPS. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the NPS, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to NPS 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 Outreach and Recruitment Specialist,Emanuel Aragon Cruz, or ecruz@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 Invasive Plant Management Team Database Member NPS Fort Collins Office Hybrid Jobs at American Conservation Experience - EPIC