SummaryAmerican Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Saguaro National Park is seeking one member to contribute to natural resource GIS projects alongside NPS Staff.For more information about ACE, please visit our usaconservation website. Start Date: January 27, 2025 (flexible)Estimated End Date: May 16, 2025*a 16-week minimum commitment is required *Location Details/Description:Saguaro National Park is located outside of the city of Tucson, AZ. The park is host to camping, hiking, and backpacking trails for every level of adventurer. The park protects its namesake, our nation's largest species of cacti, the giant saguaro. Summers in the Sonoran Desert can be extremely hot with temperatures exceeding 110 degrees and evening lows averaging 72 degrees. Winters present comfortable daytime temperatures in the 60s with cooler nighttime temperatures averaging 40 degrees. Access to all major amenities can be found in the town of Tucson which is a quick 20-minute drive from the park.For more information about Saguaro National Park, please visit the NPS website.Position Overview: ACE Members will be working in Saguaro National Park's Science and Resource Management Division. ACE Members will join a team made up of biologists, biological technicians, volunteers, and interns. This project takes place in both districts of Saguaro National Park in Tucson, with the primary duty station located on the eastern edge of town. ACE Members will be provided training in processing and managing invasive plant geospatial data. Opportunities for cross trainings may be available in the following focus areas: wildlife friendly fence conversion, water surveys, saguaro monitoring, and volunteer engagement.The ACE Member will assist Park staff in accomplishing a variety of tasks. The primary project of this assignment will utilize aerial imagery to digitize resources in the park. 75% of the work performed by the ACE Member will be focused on resource management GIS. The Member will spend 15% of their time in the field, performing quality checks and ground truthing geospatial data. An additional 10% is available for cross trainings. This position may involve working on multiple projects simultaneously, responding to program geospatial needs, and ensuring compliance with geospatial data standards. The Member will be expected to follow existing standard operation procedures (SOPs) but may also propose ways analyzing and gathering existing data to increase efficiency and impact. Projects will typically entail a variety of assigned activities, such as information compilation, retrieval and organization, data entry, and maintenance of information management systems. The Member will have the opportunity to develop skills to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of individuals and groups within the Federal government as well as with external partners.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.Schedule: This is a full-time position and members are expected to contribute up to 40 hrs a week, during the regular work week.Position BenefitsLiving Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $700/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 on our usaconservation website.Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or the National Park Service. However, there will be a monthly housing reimbursement of $400. Gear Allowance: ACE members will have up to $250 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 federal land management policies, vegetation management, data collection and processing, along with an assortment of other topics. Abundant opportunities may be available to be cross trained on the following resource management activities: wildlife friendly fence conversion, water surveys, saguaro monitoring, and volunteer engagement.QualificationsRequired:
- Must be comfortable working with ESRI GIS desktop and online products, geospatial data management, and GIS application development and deployment. No basic GIS training will be provided.
- Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.S. government contracts.
- Must have the ability to multitask and have basic understanding of cartographic principles
- Must have sufficient skills to work mostly independently with occasional assistance from NPS staff
- Must be able to communicate clearly and concisely with resource professionals within NPS and have effective communication skills with diverse audiences
- 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 park criminal history check
- 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
- To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our usaconservation website
Preferred:
- Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a bachelor's degree and/or have relevant experience in geography, planning, information sciences, GIS, cartography, etc.
- Training in data management program, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and other relevant computer software programs.
- Ability and willingness to traverse rough and uneven terrain if required.
Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:
- Physical Demands: Requires frequent standing, walking, hiking, 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, 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 15 pounds.
- Environmental: Primarily indoor, office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled. Ideal candidate must be comfortable working in an office environment, using a computer, and sitting for long periods of time. Ideal candidate must also be capable of hiking on and off-trail to perform quality control checks on computer based work in the field.
- Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
- Travel: This position does not require unique 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 NPS. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the site. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), 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 on our usaconservation website. 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 our Western Member Manager, Vanessa Rogan. EEO: Employment with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment, hire, training, transfer, promotion, compensation, demotion, termination, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information (including of a family member), veteran or military status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.