GIS Mapping Technician w/Green Diamond Resource Company (Korbel, CA)

https://secure3.entertimeonline.com/ta/6110531.careers?rnd=SUH&ShowJob=436439937

PURPOSE
Provide Geographic Information System (GIS) updating and mapping support for the Forestry staff in Timber Harvest Plan (THP) preparation. Additional mapping support will be provided for all departments in California as a secondary focus. Provides support for the Timberlands Management Information System (TMIS) and Cengea mapping systems.

​ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Level I: Basic tasks (2 years)

• Provides support for the Timberland Management Information System (TMIS).
• Functions as the primary support for Foresters’ THP mapping using Cengea’s MapWindow interface.
• Generate maps as needed by Foresters for inclusion in THPs. Communicate and coordinate closely with Foresters at all levels to ensure efficient and accurate mapping.
• Assist in training and provide primary support for the Forestry staff while they are working in the mapping systems.
• Assist Foresters with the use of mapping apps for mobile devices and with GPS data files (Carry Maps and Avenza Maps).
• Assists with developing, updating and maintaining training and reference documentation for mapping with Map Window.
• Scan and orthorectify air photos for use by Foresters preparing THPs.
• Participate in departmental safety and staff meetings.
• Assists with ongoing development and refinement of the TMIS system, coordinating with GDRCo IT staff, Cengea staff, and other GDRCo personnel as needed in testing, trouble-shooting, and developing solutions to problems.
• Improves accuracy of GIS mapping in accordance with Green Diamond’s Forest Inventory Task Group (FITG) recommendation to achieve at least plus or minus 33 foot accuracy of features in the GIS across the whole ownership, and then maintain at least this desired level of accuracy going forward. Achieve better than 33’ whenever feasible (ideally at least plus or minus 20’).
• Digitizes from annual depletion, air photos in order to update GIS for current year’s harvest blocks and retention areas (e.g., WLPZs and HRAs), in time for use in annual GIS depletion updates.
• Updates as many other features as possible from the annual depletion air photos, such as older WLPZs and HRAs, roads, watercourses, other discernable cover type boundaries, etc.
• Completes this annually, so no backlog develops.
• Coordinates with the Lead Technician and GIS Analyst to update all the relevant features in the GIS across the ownership in areas outside of those covered by annual depletion air photos.
• This will involve digitizing from satellite imagery, orthorectified aerial photography, and/or LIDAR, as available.
• Resolves discrepancies between polygon boundaries and linear features in different layers that should be congruent, but are not; for example, when a cover type boundary corresponds to a watercourse, and is also equivalent to a prior THP boundary, all of these should be made to match in the GIS.
• Reviews for quality control the Foresters’ mapping, ensuring that all features are mapped in accordance with quality standards mandated by the FITG. This includes responsibility for correctly incorporating road and watercourse updates and attribution into the TMIS managed layers as correctly implemented linear referenced routes and events.
• Coordinates with Conservation Planning staff as needed to provide quality control assuring THP mapping meets requirements of Habitat Conservation Plans.
• Scans and orthorectifies air photos (e.g., for use by Foresters preparing THPs).
• Assists with THP rehab updates for depletions.
• Assists with updates associated with property acquisition and disposal activity.

Level II: Advanced Tasks (> more than 2 years)

• Creates, updates, and maintains templates for use in MapWindow, the interface environments used for viewing and mapping GIS information in TMIS (set up Business classes involve, set up spatial connections Read_Write).
• Populate and update corporate data bases associated with Green Diamond’s fully integrated mapping system (CENGEA).
• Coordinate with Timberlands Planning Manager to help generate associated reports relating to cumulative impacts (AB47 requirements) for inclusion in THPs and provide information for depletions.
• Plan the depletion flights according the Completed THP identified by Chief Planning Forester.
• Be the contact point for IFM related projects.
  Planting data - Maps
  Fire Plan Data - Maps
  Burning Data - Maps
  Spray Data – Maps
• Assists with Cover type updates for depletions – Updating Cover and running the pertinent scripts.
• Coordinate with Timberlands Planning Manager to update the corporate database to reflect changes in GIS layers and associated attribute tables resulting from THPs, including roads and watercourse updates, in addition to unit boundaries, logging and silvicultural method boundaries, geologic features, and retention areas.
• Assists with special projects.
• Assists with fulfilling mapping requests from Managers and Operations personnel.
• Assists Inventory Supervisor with cruising related GIS needs.
• Assists IFM with related GIS needs including production of maps for bid solicitations, field use by IFM personnel, as well as input of GIS features resulting from IFM activities, including planting, vegetation management, and burning.
• Will have the opportunity to perform field work on THPs to be sure information in system matches what is actually out in the field.

Level III: Advanced tasks and coordination:
Qualifications include:

• At least four years of comprehensive technician experience at GDRCo performing advanced tasks as described above. This may include a combination of forestry GIS mapping technician work and field technician work.
• Demonstrated effective leadership and interpersonal skills at GDRCo in order to fulfill job duties such as mentoring and training full-time or seasonal technicians as needed, developing more efficient workflows for THP related mapping responsibilities and demonstrating a willingness to accept increasing responsibility.
• Demonstrate a willingness and ability to stay current with technological advances that relate to forestry utilization of GIS applications.
• Advanced technical skills such as assisting with quality assurance of GIS mapping data and FRIS corporate data, providing independent answers to technical GIS questions and resolving a variety of GIS/THP mapping issues of moderately complex scope. Other advanced skills would include recognized accomplishment of department objectives to ensure improved forester efficiency in preparation of THP maps; quality data entry and accurate report documentation; the demonstrated ability to troubleshoot unforeseen circumstances and provide good independent judgment and applying resource knowledge when confronted with unanticipated problems.
• Demonstrate the ability to collaborate with other departments and meet the needs of those departments while maintaining a high level of productivity.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Successfully completed college courses in Forestry, GIS or Natural Resource field.
• Must have a valid CA Driver’s License.
• Proficient computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite and ArcGIS.
• Knowledge of the principles of forest engineering and THP layout and how to apply those principles in the context of a working GIS.
• The ability to learn and understand the requirements of the California Forest Practice Rules, the GDRCo Forest Habitat Conservation Plan and Aquatic Habitat Conservation Plan and other GDRCo programmatic permits or agreements in order to provide accurate mapping and attribution of features required by these types of documents.
• Ability to understand and apply principles of photogrammetry in order to provide orthorectification of air photos.
• Must be an active and contributing participant in the Forestry Department Safety program.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate with the aid of a map and compass.
• Must be able to take responsibility for the quality of own work products as well as own personal safe behaviors.
• Ability to work overtime as necessary.
• Effective and professional relationships with co-workers within immediate work group, outside the immediate department, and with key contacts outside the company.
• Effective and productive communications skills; speaks well, communicates ideas clearly.
• Writes well, clearly and concisely. Is approachable and open to discussion.
• Always conducts self in a professional manner. Always treats others with respect. Does not tolerate discrimination based on race, gender, religion, ethnic background, or national origin. Shares knowledge with others and participates in mentoring.
• Manages multiple priorities professionally with minimum disruption to others. Organized and proactively manages environment. Responds to unexpected challenges successfully without losing track of daily responsibilities. Prioritizes workload in order of importance. Reliably follows through with job assignments.
• Learns, applies, and retains new methods and information. Creative in solving problems. Exhibits a “can do” attitude with a positive approach to challenges. Views obstacles as opportunities to learn and grow.

Desired:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Forestry, GIS, Natural Resources Management or related field -- (or equivalent combination of education, training or experience that provides the required knowledge skills and abilities).
• One year of experience as a Forestry Technician assisting in layout and development of Timber Harvest Plans.
• Formal training using ArcGIS and/or Structured Query Language (SQL), preferably in a field related to forest management.
• Experience using Microsoft data management software in a work environment.
• Knowledge of harvesting systems and road layout skills.
• Working knowledge of the California Forest Practice rules and the application.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:
This position is located in Korbel, CA or Klamath, CA.

• Ability to work extended periods at a computer in an office setting.
• Works (10%+) of the time in the field under varying topography and climatic extremes.
• Must have the ability to see distance and detail with accuracy.
• Must have ability to work independently and without immediate supervision in remote areas.
• Occasional field work could expose employee to wildlife encounters, poison oak, nettles, pollen, dust, pesticides and/or insect bites.
• Occasional travel to remote company locations.
• Ability to tour logging operations, attend training and company functions.
• Must maintain punctual and regular attendance and present appropriate professional appearance at all times.
• Requires the use of standard safety equipment in regulation with GDRCo.
• This position is a Physical and Mental Requirement Classification 1.