2 (paid) student GIS interns, summer 2019 -- Yamhill Co Public Works

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT – GIS Intern (two positions)
Positions close June 1, 2019 (or until filled)

Project Duration
June-August, 2019 (approximately 8 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
2060 Lafayette Avenue, McMinnville, Oregon 97128

Salary
$18.00/hour

Supervisors
Justin Cooley, Invasive Species Program Coordinator, Yamhill Soil and Water Conservation District Susan Aldrich-Markham, Professor Emeritus, Oregon State University

Project Overview
Yamhill County Public Works Department (YCPW) initiated the Roadside Vegetation Inventory to collect geospatial data on significant features within County rights-of-way.  These features include native plants, invasive plants, and erosion. The information is used by YCPW in making roadside vegetation management decisions.  Invasive species information is used by the Yamhill Soil and Water Conservation District to develop and implement an integrated noxious weed control program targeting high priority species.  The Roadside Vegetation Inventory is part of the implementation of the Yamhill County Roadside Vegetation Management Plan adopted in February 2016.

The data are managed using ESRI ArcGIS software.  Data are collected using Trimble hardware and maintained in a file geodatabase.  The Roadside Vegetation Inventory database will continue to be revised as the inventory progresses to improve data collection efficiency, quality and post collection management.  In June 2018, the project expanded to involve a newly-created Invasive Species Program Coordinator position at the Yamhill Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), which is funded partly through a cooperative agreement with YCPW and partly through a grant from the Oregon State Weed Board.  The Invasive Species Program Coordinator supports the Roadside Vegetation Inventory and collaborates with YCPW to direct and supervise the GIS Interns.

Requirements

• The position requires a combination of office and fieldwork.  Office work involves regular use of computers and prolonged sitting or standing.  Field work requires walking over rough or uneven terrain, sometimes in inclement weather, and carrying objects such as measuring tools and supplies.
• Candidate must possess a valid driver's license upon employment.  Interns will drive a County-owned vehicle while on the job.
• Cell phone or other camera with GPS capability

Tasks – Interns will cooperate as partners on most tasks.

• Collect data along Yamhill County rights-of-way using a Trimble GPS data recorder.  Data will be collected from a moving vehicle and by walking.  Generally, two people will collect data, with one person driving and one person using the data recorder. 
• Collect photo documentation of significant features in the field and link these to georeferenced locations.  Sort and cull these photos so that each completed road segment has a few good photos selected to represent the significant features.
• Transfer and process collected data regularly to the laptop computer with the ArcGIS site license and maintain the data in ArcMap. Correct any performance problems related to communication between the database and the Trimble GPS unit.  Optimize the performance of the database on the Trimble.
• 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 Justin Cooley and Susan Aldrich-Markham on any revisions. 
• Create publication quality cartographic products to display data and analysis in ArcMap.  These maps will be used for educational purposes, including posting to the Web and 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 the maps and photos from the field. 
• As a team, write a Final Report and present a PowerPoint slide show to the YCPW Roadside Vegetation Management Technical Advisory Committee.

Qualifications

1. Completion of at least two college level courses in GIS.  Additional field experience is desirable.
2. Training in and ability to use ESRI software suite.
3. Training in agriculture, botany, 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 work independently and manage time in order to complete all tasks by the end of the project period, including the final report and 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 five qualifications listed.  Include a list of appropriate courses taken in GIS and agriculture, botany 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.