2 GIS Interns w/ Yamhill County Public Works (McMinnville, OR)

​POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT – GIS Intern (two positions)
Positions close April 17, 2020 (or until filled)

Project Duration
May 1 to Aug 31, 2020
(start and end dates are negotiable; approximately 10 weeks, or until all funds are spent)
Part-time, 20 to 40 hours/week
The interns will work independently and as partners to develop schedules and share tasks to ensure that all tasks are completed by the end of the project period.

Location
Yamhill County Public Works Department (YCPW)
2060 Lafayette Avenue, McMinnville, Oregon 97128

Salary
$18.00/hour

Supervisors
Jordan Anderson, Roadside Vegetation Inventory Manager, YCPW
Susan Aldrich-Markham, Professor Emeritus, Oregon State University
Mark Lago, Public Works Director, YCPW

Project Overview
YCPW initiated the Roadside Vegetation Inventory (RVI) to collect geospatial data and photos from significant features within County rights-of-way.  These are features that relate to issues in roadside vegetation management, including preventing erosion, controlling invasive plants and protecting native plants.  At the end of the project period, the Interns present a summary of their findings, highlighting the important issues with maps, data analysis and photos.  This information is used by YCPW in making roadside vegetation management decisions.  The invasive species information is also used by the Yamhill Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) to develop and implement an integrated noxious weed control program targeting high priority species.  The RVI is part of the implementation of the Yamhill County Roadside Vegetation Management Plan, adopted in February 2016.

The data are managed using ESRI software – ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online and Collector for ArcGIS.  The RVI database is maintained online, and data are collected using the GPS on cell phones, which can update the database in real time or be used off-line and synced with the database using Wi-Fi at the office.  A part of the RVI database contains data that relate to invasive plant control on private land.  This data is collected by the Invasive Species Program Coordinator at the SWCD (a position that is funded partly through a cooperative agreement with YCPW and partly through a grant from the Oregon State Weed Board).  YCPW and SWCD cooperate on managing and revising the database, and they also collaborate on invasive plant control at sites where it is in their mutual interest.

Requirements
The position requires a combination of office and fieldwork.  Office work involves regular use of computers and prolonged sitting.  Field work requires walking over rough or uneven terrain, sometimes in inclement weather, and carrying objects such as measuring tools and supplies.  It also requires occasional hand-pulling of newly-discovered small patches of target highly invasive plants.

Candidates must possess a valid driver's license.  Interns will drive a County-owned vehicle on the job.

​Candidates must possess a cell phone with a camera and GPS capability.

Tasks – Interns will cooperate as partners on most tasks.

• Collect data along Yamhill County road rights-of-way using Collector for ArcGIS on their personal cell phones.  Data will be collected from a moving vehicle and by walking.  Generally, two people will collect data, with one person driving and one person recording. 
• Collect photo documentation of significant features in the field and link photos to georeferenced locations.  Sort, cull and optimize these photos so that each completed road segment has a few good photos selected to represent each of the significant features.  Organize and manage the photos in Google Photos.
• Make revisions to the database as data collection proceeds, in order to more completely capture the kind of information that YCPW can use to make roadside vegetation management decisions.  Additional features and attributes may need to be included.  Consult with supervisors on any revisions. 
• Create publication quality cartographic products to display data and analysis in ArcGIS Online.  These maps will be used for educational purposes, including presentations to YCPW committees, County Commissioners, adjacent landowners, and the public.  The purpose is to highlight significant native plant populations for protection, invasive plant populations for control and erosion sites for restoration.
• Create PowerPoint slides using maps, data analysis results and photos. 
• As a team with the Roadside Vegetation Manager, present a PowerPoint slide show to the YCPW Roadside Vegetation Management Technical Advisory Committee, summarizing your 2020 findings.

Qualifications
1.Completion of at least one college level course in GIS.  Additional field experience is desirable.
2.Training in and ability to use the ESRI software suite.
3.Training in botany, agriculture or natural resources.  Additional field experience is desirable.
4.Interest in native plants and invasive plants.  Ability to recognize common Willamette Valley species of native and invasive plants.
5.Ability to create professional quality plant and landscape photography.
6.Ability to work independently and manage time in order to complete all tasks by the end of the project period, including the final PowerPoint presentation to the Roadside Vegetation Management Technical Advisory Committee.

To Apply
Submit a letter explaining why you are interested in the position and outlining your qualifications.  Specifically address each of the six qualifications listed.  Include a list of appropriate courses taken in GIS and botany, agriculture or natural resources.  Submit at least one letter of recommendation. 
Email application letters to:  Catherine Lindberg, YCPW, [email protected].  Selected candidates will be interviewed in person on a mutually agreed-on date.