Restoration Monitoring Data and Information Specialist

The National Wildlife Refuge Association, in partnership with Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and the USFWS Pacific Region Inventory and Monitoring Program, seeks an individual with strong restoration ecology, database development, and ecological monitoring design skills for an 18-month period to help Refuge staff meet scientific information needs associated with expanding habitat restoration and weed control programming. The selected individual will be an employee of the National Wildlife Refuge Association and will work closely with Refuge staff and volunteers to develop robust data collection procedures, design databases, and data management systems for currently implemented weed control, native plant propagation and habitat restoration activities.

The primary goal of this position is to set-up a robust habitat restoration monitoring system that can be utilized and maintained by USFWS staff to holistically evaluate the success of restoration efforts, encompassing and integrating complex and large-scale weed control and native plant propagation programs.

• Applies knowledge of relational databases and database design to design and develop data management, visualization, and analysis applications. The design and development of these customized applications will be tailored to allow end users (Refuge staff and volunteers) to access and manipulate survey information that would minimize user training.
• Applies statistical concepts, advanced GIS skills, and other innovative techniques to track all aspects of plant propagation performance, herbicide efficacy, outplanting success, and large-scale achievement of habitat rehabilitation and restoration objectives. Work closely with Refuge staff in the field and office to ensure that products are user-friendly and sustainable for long-term implementation.
• Work closely with Refuge staff to develop robust field and greenhouse data collection procedures and ensure that data is collected and managed in a way that facilitates analysis and development of propagation and outplanting SOPs. Work with Refuge staff and Honolulu-based Inventory and Monitoring Biologists to ensure designs meet project objectives and are statistically valid.
• Performs as a lead analyst in researching and adapting new techniques for complex data management, GIS, and data visualization. Subject area expert defining database structures, processing algorithms, version control and other transactions, interfaces to external databases, functionality and product design. Minimum Qualifications · Knowledge of advanced biometric principles and statistical methods to design scientifically sound ecological monitoring frameworks and interpret results.
• Ability to identify and use statistical methods to analyze complex data sets including but not limited to Excel, MS Access, ArcGIS, R, and SAS.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of biology (i.e. ecological principles; ecosystems, plant, wildlife and fish population dynamics, and surveys for natural resource management) used to identify critical data needs to support surveys for resource conservation and management. · Broad knowledge of advanced literature and theory in the fields of biometrics, statistics, restoration ecology, ornithology, and resource management, especially as it pertains to refuges.
• Extensive knowledge of database management concepts, principles, and methods including database logical and physical design sufficient to design, develop, and maintain data management systems that meet current and future monitoring program policy requirements for natural resource management.
• Ability to comprehend and evaluate developments in data management, spatial data collection and analysis, and related fields and apply them to refuge-based projects.
• Skills and experience using Trimble GPS units or similar mapping grade GPS units and ability to train others. · In good health with no physical or mental conditions that require regular access to medical facilities. Moderate to good physical fitness in order to access off-road field sites situated in sandy, rugged terrain.

Schedule and Application Process

Application deadline: December 11, 2015
Interviews: December 17-22, 2015
Selection made: by January 15, 2016
Project underway at Midway Atoll: April 12, 2016-September 2017

To receive a copy of the work plan or to ask project and location-specific questions, please contact Meg Duhr-Schultz.

For salary and benefits questions, please contact Anne Truslow.
meg_duhrschultz@fws.gov Direct: 808-954-4819
atruslow@refugeassociation.org

GIS Technician
Job ID 4722
Position Type Full Time
Location US-OR-Portland
Posted Date 1/15/2015
Category Survey & GPS - GIS
Options:Your application choices are:Refer a friend to this job or Apply for this job online

At David Evans and Associates (DEA) our philosophy is “To find outstanding professionals and give them the freedom and support to do what they do best.” Since its founding in 1976 in Portland, OR, DEA has become a recognized leader for progressive and sustainable design and management solutions for complex transportation, land development, energy, and water resources projects nationwide. DEA’s multi-disciplinary teams partner with clients to tailor sustainable solutions to meet the unique needs of each project. The firm has over 15 offices in seven states and employs approximately 650 people firm wide. DEA is an employee-owned corporation and consistently ranks among ENR’s Top 100 firms in the US.

David Evans and Associates is currently seeking a GIS Technician to join our onsite project team located in Portland, OR. This full-time contract position serves as a GIS Technician 1, within our Client’s Valuation and Forestry Services Department (TERS). The Valuation Services Department is responsible for providing Geospatial support in the maintenance, operation, design, acquisition and construction of transmission facilities. This position provides Geographic Information System (GIS) services utilizing computerized data capture, storage and analysis techniques for visual displays, spatial analysis and tabular reports on a wide variety of geographical projects. This position is located in Portland, OR.

Position Responsibilities include but not limited to:

• Design and prepare publication quality cartographic products using industry standards.
• Produce custom photomap products tailored to the Valuation department’s needs, using current GIS software tools and techniques.
• Perform basic spatial analysis operations to create maps and/or tabular reports. Maintain geospatial databases and ensure data quality and integrity through the use of automated and manual techniques to enter, edit and process data sets.
• Identify appraisal sites, based on LIS exhibit maps.
• Create and load waypoints into GPS units for appraisers, foresters and danger tree team members.
• Prepare parcel exhibits with geo-referenced photos for appraisal, forestry and danger tree crew reports.
• May provide demonstrations, presentations and produce documents on the GIS platform of work being done by the agency.
• Support the timely delivery of data between Valuation and Forestry and other organizational units used in the design, acquisition and construction of transmission facilities.

Qualifications:
Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in a GIS-related field, such as computer science, geography, cartography, natural resources, landscape architecture and environmental, urban or regional planning, with a strong emphasis in computer-assisted spatial analysis is highly desirable (if no degree, additional work experience is required – see below).
• Minimum Experience Required: Level 1 position – 2 - 4 years (with bachelor’s degree in fields specified above; 6+ years without degree or degree not in specified fields, as noted above) of directly-related experience in GIS Support, providing professional GIS services utilizing computerized data capture, storage and analysis is required.
• Knowledge and proficiency with ESRI ArcGIS software is required.
• Basic knowledge of image processing, remote sensing and LiDAR data mediums is desired.
• Experience and proficiency with PC operating systems and standard office software (Microsoft Office Suite 2010 - Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook) is required.
• Experience with SharePoint is required.

General Requirements:

• GISP (Geographic Information Systems Professional) certification is desired but not required for this position.
• Ability to work independently and prioritize assignments is required. Proficiencies in critical thinking and deductive reasoning are required.
• Must be skilled in written, visual and oral communication.

Additional Requirements:

• Candidate must be available to travel, with some situations requiring overnight stays as a result of the travel. Travel will be required – up to 50% of the time including overnight travel throughout the organization’s service area.
• May require between 10 and 15% overtime work.
• Possess a valid state driver’s license and be able to drive in rugged, off-road terrain.
• Obtain and keep current First Aid/CPR/AED certification
• Must strictly follow rules set forth in the Accident Prevention Manual.
• Personal Protective Equipment required for travel to field sites:
• White hardhat
• ASTM F2413-11, Class 75 EH rated footwear with over the ankle lace up and rigid sole and heel required for all field travel.
• Rain Gear (Jacket and Pants) are required.

• This position may be eligible for situational offsite work, subject to the completion of a Supplemental Labor Offsite Work Memorandum of Understanding.

Performance Expectations:

• Must possess interpersonal skills useful in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with clientele and management.

• Must exhibit a continued ability to think creatively and actively learn.
• Work independently and manage time effectively.
• Keep information organized and confidential.

DEA is proud to be  an AA/EEO employer and all qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to characteristics protected by applicable local, state or federal law, such as race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, marital status, veteran or military status, genetic information or sexual orientation