Penn State offers excellent online courses and now has a program through the Open Educational Initiative (http://open.ems.psu.edu/) where you can access the online course material for free, but you do not get any instructor feedback/interaction or support or academic credit if you don't purchase the course, but can read through all the material.

For those of you interested in Python:  https://www.e-education.psu.edu/geog485/node/93.

SALARY: $10.00 - $12.00 Hourly

OPENING DATE: 04/25/11

CLOSING DATE: 05/13/11 05:00 PM

POSITION SUMMARY:
Status: part-time position
Pay: $10.00 - $12.00/hour depending on knowledge and experience 
Hours: flexible, approximately 20 hours per week
Duration: June 1, 2011 through October 31, 2011

Purpose and goals of position
To acquire basic working knowledge of limnologal study of a eutrophic lake. To gain field experience in environmental sampling and analytical techniques.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:
To collect in situ data (weekly) using Hydrolab and other field instruments, collect water samples periodically and submit to DEQ for analysis. Aggregate newly-acquired and historical water quality data and analyze for trends (oversight provided), monitor and sample algal populations, interpret results, conduct two aquatic macrophyte surveys. Provide outreach for lakeshore owners and park customers. Write end-of-season report summarizing data collected and trends (if any).

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Two years college level education/experience in biology, botany, ecology, limnology, natural resources management, environmental science or closely related field; or any combination of education and experience that provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities required performing the job.

Required knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of basic principles of college-level biology.
• Ability to operate a motorized boat in deep water (greater than 25 feet).
• Working knowledge of electronic spreadsheet or databases.
• Working knowledge or ability to learn GPS data collection in the field and manipulation in GIS.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability and willingness to work outside for several hours each shift in all weather conditions.
• Ability to work flexible hours.
• Must provide own transportation (re-imbursable) to the various work sites.
  

For full job description and application info:  http://www.oregonmetro.gov/index.cfm/go/by.web/id=24255

CI just posted advertisements for 2 internships this summer.  They are as follows:

- Food security intern:  Key responsibilities: Develop underlying datasets, at a global scale, that will help us determine 1) where people are currently facing reduced food security and 2) where people are likely to be most vulnerable to further reductions in food security, particularly as a result of climate change. Please see the job posting for more details:  http://tbe.taleo.net/NA8/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=CONSERVATION&cws=1&rid=155   (paid internship)

- Marine ecosystem health intern:  Key responsibilities: Work as part of team developing the Ocean Health Index.  Specific work would involve collating existing research studies (preferably by country or region) on the current extent and relative health of key fringing coastal ecosystems. Please see the job posting for more details:  http://tbe.taleo.net/NA8/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=CONSERVATION&cws=1&rid=154      (unpaid internship)

Cartography and Creativity

Matthew Hampton, senior cartographer/GIS specialist with Metro, will speak on how being creative in your mapmaking workflows can often lead to better results. He will review four projects that had different workflows and different outcomes.

Hampton, whose official title at Metro is senior transportation planner, sits on the board of the North American Cartographic Information Society and earned a Master's degree in Geography from Portland State in 2005.

The colloquium is scheduled for noon in Cramer Hall 413. All are welcome. Refreshments will be provided.

URISA is now accepting submissions for the 2011 Student Competition.

Undergraduate and graduate students are invited to showcase their work by participating in the Urban and Regional Information Systems Association 2011 Student Paper and Poster Competition.  

Categories:

PAPERS - Students are invited to submit a paper for a special section of the URISA Journal. The papers will undergo a review process under the direction of the Publications Committee, augmented by the Editor of the URISA Journal. Lead authors of the top three papers would receive an award of a one-year membership in URISA or free registration at the annual URISA conference.

POSTERS - Community college and GIS Certificate students are invited to submit posters.  The posters will undergo a review process under the direction of the Publications Committee, augmented by community college instructors. (This category is co-sponsored by the National GeoTech Center.) The top ten posters will receive an award of a one-year membership in URISA and will be recommended for free registration at a regional URISA conference. The URISA Student Competition Committee will review all submissions and the winners will be notified in early August. Winners will be recognized during the awards ceremony at GIS-Pro 2011: URISA's 49th Annual Conference in Indianapolis.

Submissions are due June 6, 2011.  Click here for additional information on the 2011 Student Competition and to review submissions from previous winners.

Please contact URISA Education Manager, Jennifer Griffith, at jgriffith@urisa.org with questions.

For information about other Student Competitions, across the globe, be sure to visit http://studentcompetitions.com/.

The Nature Conservancy has a GIS Analyst position open in their Portland, Oregon Office. 

Click here to see a full job description and directions for how to apply. 

City of Portland's Bureau of Technology Services is looking for a limited term Information Systems Analyst that "will be responsible for the analysis, configuration and testing of the GIS interface and integration of the City’s corporate GIS databases and the State/Accela e-Permitting system."
Click here for full job description. 

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SANTA CRUZ
and the National Marine Fisheries Service

The Institute of Marine Sciences at the University of California, Santa Cruz and the National Marine Fisheries Services' Landscape

Ecology team seek a GIS/Spatial Analyst to assist with studies of river, ocean and terrestrial habitats, conducting basic and applied research on the ecology of anadromous fish that spawn in California.  The selected candidate will assist in conducting field and modeling studies to investigate how the structure and dynamics of the physical environment (including climate) act to control the distribution and abundance of anadromous fish and the communities to which they belong. Additionally, the selected candidate will conduct research through the employ of quantitative methods and techniques, especially spatial data analysis using Matlab, R/S-Plus, and ArcGIS or equivalent, and will be expected to formulate and carry out original research, and disseminate scientific results through publications and other venues.

RANK: Assistant Specialist 1 - Associate Specialist 4

SALARY: $38,952 to $58,224 annually, title and salary commensurate with qualifications and experience

Click here for full job description.

ModelBuilder Introduction at 12 pm Eastern Time on Monday, April 18.

This session will cover Geoprocessing and ModelBuilder basics. The course will start with Geoprocessing because understanding ESRI’s geoprocessing framework is important to effectively creating models, and will then move into the procedures for constructing processes in ModelBuilder. Time permitting; the presenter will demonstrate creating a simple model.
ModelBuilder Parameters and Variables at 12 pm Eastern Time on Monday, May 16.

This session will cover more advanced ModelBuilder functions including iteration, building process models, and using Python scripts in a model. All models will be based around habitat analysis scenarios.   To join these events, all the information you need is on the SCGIS Webinar page at:
http://www.scgis.org/Lev3Page.aspx?Page3ID=78

Elk Rock Island: Restoring Oak Woodland

April 19, 2011
Noon to 1 pm
Portland Building Auditorium
1120 SW Fifth Ave.

Presenters:

Mark G. Wilson (PP&R), Claire A. Puchy (BES),  Mary Bushman (BES),  and Marissa Dorais (PP&R) from the City of Portland Parks' City Nature and Environmental Services’  Willamette Watershed & TEES Program Elk Rock Island, a 14 acre Natural Area Park owned and managed by the City Nature Division of Portland Parks & Recreation, is located in the Willamette River just offshore from Milwaukie. The island’s Oregon white oak woodlands and short-grass prairies contain plants uncommon in Portland and provide habitat for wildlife including bald eagles and peregrines that nest nearby.
BES generously provided initial funding and PP&R│BES staffs are working together on long term site restoration and stewardship activities. The genesis of the project was PP&R’s Natural Area Ecosystem Management Plan and Portland’s Watershed Management Plan. The on-going work is a unique intra- bureau effort to achieve common goals of conserving and restoring special status habitats and associated wildlife and plant species.

Videos of River Brownbags are posted at: http://www.portlandonline.com/ohwr/index.cfm?c=52507

City of Portland
Office of Healthy Working Rivers
1120 SW 5th Ave., Rm. 1000
Portland, OR 97204
503.823.0275
www.portlandonline.com/river