This Thursday May 2, 2013, Come to First Thursday in the Pearl and view the creative Mental Maps of Portlanders! 

Time: 6:00pm until 10:00pm
Where: Will Call Art Gallery 625 NW Everett # 108

"As adults our mental maps are a potpourri of fact and fiction, gleaned through a haphazard combination of direct and indirect, and extrasensory experience. Some aspects of it are egocentric and based on connected paths, while other bits are geocentric and based on Euclidean distance-direction relations. We have forgotten some things and seen others incorrectly. Our fears and prejudices and longings have biased our way of looking at the world. It is understandable that a combination of these factors may badly warp our image of the environment.“
Philip Muehrcke

Every wonder how the human population is distributed around the Earth based on Latitude & Longitude?  Here are two interesting charts that show us!

http://ilovecharts.tumblr.com/post/49178888172/mickwe-world-population-by-longitude-and

The 2013-14 Oregon Space Grant Consortium Scholarship Program 
is now OPEN! 


Application Deadline: May 17, 2013

The Oregon NASA Space Grant Consortium (OSGC) is pleased to provide students attending our member colleges and universities opportunities to apply for scholarship awards that support their academic goals and recognize their achievements.  Scholarships are open to new and continuing students in the disciplines of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), and STEM education disciplines. The scholarship program supports the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) objectives of fostering and encouraging career goals in STEM and STEM education. Individuals from under-represented groups in the STEM fields are encouraged to apply.

Several unique scholarship opportunities exist catering to different degree programs, career goals, and institution types.  Details regarding each of these opportunities are found in the Scholarship Guide.  Please read the Scholarship Guide carefully for eligibility requirements, application instructions, and links to the online application system.  The OSGC Scholarship Guide is available for download on the OSGC website at http://spacegrant.oregonstate.edu/scholarships.

Scholarships are awarded through a competitive process.  Note: Students receiving awards in past competitions may apply and receive awards for subsequent competitions.
 
 Awards for the 2013-14 Academic Year will be made in the following categories:
 
 - OSGC Community College Scholarships
      Online application: https://spacegrant.net/apps/?pk=ors2

- OSGC 4-Year Institution Scholarships
      Online application: https://spacegrant.net/apps/?pk=ors1

- OSGC Undergraduate Research Scholarships
      Online application: https://spacegrant.net/apps/?pk=ors3

Go to http://spacegrant.oregonstate.edu/scholarships for more information and to download the Scholarship Guide.

Questions regarding OSGC Scholarship opportunities, application procedures, or eligibility may be directed to OSGC staff by phone at 541.737.2414 or via email at [email protected].

Wildlife Ecologist Position

The Rhode Island Natural History Survey (RINHS) seeks to hire a full-time Wildlife Ecologist to work in close coordination with RI Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) staff and contractors to facilitate all
aspects of the participation of municipalities, no-profit organizations, and other public stakeholders in the development of a revised RI Wildlife Action
Plan (RIWAP). Facilitation includes identifying and communicating with diverse RIWAP stakeholders regarding the goals and contents of RIWAP, other wildlife management and land use planning tools, and state and federal goals, plans, and priorities. Also, communicating to RIDEM input gained from stakeholders as to how proposed plan elements interact with local processes and priorities and what planning products and tools would be most useful to positively affect wildlife conservation in RI. The Wildlife Ecologist will identify and meet with municipal officials, community planners, decision
makers individually and in groups, identify and assist in engaging technical expertise for plan development, lead stakeholder meetings/workshops, prepare informational materials for print and electronic dissemination, assess existing resources and resource gaps, develop habitat data and mapping products for RIWAP revision, to assist key stakeholders, and other uses, provide diverse other input into and assist in writing, compiling, and implementing the RIWAP revision. The Wildlife Ecologist will participate in other RINHS programs and tasks from time to time.

The successful candidate will:

• evidence prior success in managing and facilitating participation of diverse stakeholders in a planning task
  
• evidence a strong ability to work productively with diverse individuals and groups
  
• demonstrate an ability to work systematically towards long-term goals using independent initiative as well as by working collaboratively with the State, partners, and peers;
  
• have a Master’s in wildlife ecology, biology, or management or related discipline and significant experience in municipal government, community land use planning, or land conservation planning;
• demonstrate significant prior experience and familiarity with Northeastern U.S. biota, habitats, and natural communities;
• demonstrate significant prior experience and familiarity with GIS software, data, and mapping applications;
• evidence strong writing and organizational skills and an ability to work to deadlines;
• have a valid driver's license and ready access to a vehicle (mileage will be reimbursed);

The Wildlife Ecologist will work at the RIDEM offices in Providence with regular visits to RIDEM and RINHS in Kingston but will also travel throughout the state in the course of work. Occasional out of state travel may also be required. Fieldwork requiring substantial physical exertion and/or physical strain, sometimes in remote locations, difficult terrain, and inclement weather and a possibility of injury and/or exposure to arthropod-borne disease may be required from time to time but is not a major part of the duties of the Wildlife Ecologist.

Pay is competitive and commensurate with experience. This position is full-time and eligible for RINHS's competitive benefits package. The Wildlife Ecologist reports to the RINHS Executive Director. RINHS is an equal opportunity employer.

Review of applications will commence May 6, and continue until the position is filled. To apply, send a cover letter, resume, and names and contact information, including email and phone number, of three persons whom RINHS may contact regarding your experience and qualifications to RIWAP Search, P.O. Box 1858, Kingston, RI 02881, or email the same to [email protected].

The RI Natural History Survey is a 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1994 to facilitate communication among people, agencies, and organizations interested in the ecology of Rhode Island and to gather and disseminate information on Rhode Island's animals and plants, geology, and ecosystems. RINHS manages biodiversity databases and hosts events to highlight
biodiversity and the work of researchers and naturalists. For more information visit www.rinhs.org.

"The ASPRS Airborne Topographic Lidar Manual" 
Mike Renslow, Photogrammetric Consultant, advanced technologies

Friday, April 26th, 2013, 12:00 noon - 1:15 pm.
Portland State University, Cramer Hall, Room 413
Come out for a presentation and meet-and-greet with this topic guru.
 
Free refreshments! All are welcome.

A general meeting of the PSU ASPRS student chapter will follow the presentation.  Sponsored by the Columbia River Region American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS)

Come join the second #editathon event of 2013, a nation wide weekend of mapping. Groups from all over the country will be coming together to improve the US map. 

Saturday, April 20th, 2013 from 12-5pm at the Lucky Lab on SE 9th and Hawthorne. There is a room reserved so there shouldn't be as much noise.
All the details are on Calagator: http://calagator.org/events/1250463885

OpenStreetMap, sometimes called "the Wikipedia of maps" is a free worldwide basemap that anyone can use and edit. Even if you've never edited OSM before, you're welcome to join. Bring a laptop (and mouse, if you have one--it helps!) and your local knowledge.

We'll have a short "Intro to OpenStreetMap" talk around 1pm, and cheerfully provide assistance with setting up OSM editing software and learning how to add and edit features. Latecomers are a-ok!

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_68561.html
Temporary Appointment: Information Management/GIS Specialist, P-3, Bamako, Mali
Duration: 270 days  

In 2012 UNICEF has scaled up humanitarian monitoring procedures, and services provided to the humanitarian partner NGOs. This has included making Third Party Monitoring operational in the four northern regions of Gao, Kidal, Timbouctou and Mopti, and putting ActivityInfo in place as an online/ offline database used by UNICEF, UNICEF-led clusters and cluster partners. In 2013 OCHA is intending to put a complementary database for the other clusters, which will work in harmony with ActivityInfo. In order to collect, compile, analyze and package this body of information to make it useful for the CO UNICEF is looking to recruit an Information Management / GIS Specialist.

Qualification:

• Masters level university degree in information management, GIS or related field.
  
• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in the field of information or data management, GIS and/or monitoring and evaluation.
  
• Previous work experience with the UN preferable, particularly with UNICEF.
  
• Fluency in English and a good working knowledge of French.
  

If you have experience of working in a similar capacity and want to make an active and lasting contribution to build a better world for children, please send a CV, cover letter and signed P11 form to [email protected]  by 17 April 2013. 

The Sandy Basin is currently the focus of a multi-agency and multi-partner initiative to restore threatened salmon runs to historic levels; The Nature Conservancy has taken a lead role in planning and coordinating the vegetation restoration components of this effort. The Sandy Basin Stewardship Assistant will participate with our team in the maintenance and management of our on-the-ground riparian and forest restoration projects including but not limited to the following functions:

• Non-native species mapping and control including manual and mechanical control and herbicide application.
• Vegetation monitoring.
• Coordinating and managing the work of contractor and youth crews.
• Leading and training volunteers.
• Restoration planting.
• Daily field gear preparation and work day planning.
• Fence and boundary sign maintenance and repair.
• Land owner outreach.
• Maintaining tools and equipment.

This is a part-time (30 hours/week), temporary position with an employment duration from June 3, 2013 – October 31, 2013. The weekly work schedule will consist of three 10 hour days (Tuesday-Thursday).  The position is in Portland, Oregon.

You can view and apply for this job at:  https://careers.nature.org/psp/P91HTNC_APP/APPLICANT/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_CE.GBL?Page=HRS_CE_JOB_DTL&Action=A&JobOpeningId=41018&SiteId=1&PostingSeq=1

Part-Time GIS Technician

Criterion Planners has an opening for a part-time GIS technician in the firm’s urban and regional planning practice. Criterion specializes in sustainable community development and uses GIS extensively to support planning processes throughout the U.S. The technician will develop and maintain geodatabases, locate and analyze data, design and produce mapping, and assist in maintaining websites and preparing client reports. A minimum of 20 hours is required weekly, with flexibility to work additional hours preferred. Work hours may be arranged to accommodate class schedules. Applicants must be pursuing or possess a BS/BA, and have strong GIS and MS Office skills. Additional software and web skills will be preferred. Criterion offers a competitive hourly wage, and invites interested applicants to submit their resume to Eliot Allen at [email protected]. No telephone inquiries please.

Position Summary: The Spatial Ecologist is responsible for helping to conceive and execute analyses that help the Conservation Science group fulfill its core responsibilities, which include: describing patterns of bird distribution and abundance throughout the annual cycle; characterizing the processes that shape those patterns; identifying conservation targets and prioritizing conservation efforts from biological and sociological perspectives; and providing scientific justification, study design, and analyses for projects that engage the public in science. S/he will be an integral member of Audubon’s National Science Program and will report to the Director of Conservation Science.

Essential Functions:

• Collaborate on analyses to describe changes in bird populations through space and time
• Prioritize conservation efforts in a spatial context
• Curate diverse spatial data
• Assist with design and spatial analysis of Citizen Science projects
• Contribute to peer-reviewed publications and grant-writing in support of projects
• Provide cartographic support for projects

Qualifications and Experience:

• Ph.D. in spatial ecology, ecology, evolution, natural resources, or conservation-related field (or M.S. with equivalent research or work experience) required
• Ability to clearly frame research questions, design studies, and implement analyses
• Demonstrated ability to manipulate data and script analyses in R, Bugs, and/or Python
• 3-5 years of experience prioritizing conservation efforts using Zonation, Marxan, or other conservation prioritization software
• Ability to work independently and in a group 
• Ability to think creatively about connections between birds, places, and people
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, as well as interpersonal skills
• Meticulous approach to reviewing and interpreting data and metadata
• Strong preference for: candidates with expertise in ornithology, especially birds of North America; experience developing web-based cartographic tools; knowledge of the birding community; past participation in Christmas Bird Count or Breeding Bird Survey; and/or experience in Important Bird Areas process or site conservation.

To apply: https://careers-audubon.icims.com/jobs/1708/job