GIS Technician w/ Great Basin Institute

http://crcareers.thegreatbasininstitute.org/careers/careers.aspx?rf=ECOLOG&req=2016-RAP-111

In cooperation with the National Park Service Mojave National Preserve, the Great Basin Institute is recruiting  for an experienced GIS Technician to work cooperatively with National Park Service staff to provide geographic information system (GIS) mapping and data analysis support related to conservation, restoration, transportation management, protection of cultural resources and other natural and cultural resource projects. 
The California Desert Interagency Fire Program (CDIFP) is working on a Fire Management Plan (FMP) for Southern California. The Plan will include information vital to fire management activities in order to protect resources while enabling the safe, effective, and fiscally-responsible management of wildland fires. Information requested from the CDIFP for the FMP includes the identification of sensitive areas that may experience negative or positive effects from fire and how to accommodate those; special status species and their habitats and how fire may impact them; culturally sensitive areas and how to mitigate the effects of fire; retardant avoidance areas that include both waterways and others; and any other values that may need special consideration. The project will include but is not limited to compiling multiple hardcopy notes and digital files from various formats and consolidate them into datasets representing wildlife observations, archeological observations, remote camera data, vegetation measurements, and climate information. Database design will be needed to consolidate multiple formats and table structures. Datasets should be in database and geodatabase formats. Additionally opportunities will be provided to participate in other resource science and stewardship projects.
The GIS Technician will perform duties related to a broad spectrum of projects including, but not limited to, wildlife, cultural, and travel management.

More specifically, the GIS Technician will be involved in the following projects:

• Completing spatial analysis and compilation of data related to wildlife and cultural management, including creating maps and compiling data for long-term survey datasets;
• Ground-truthing and updating GIS data;
• Creating and updating metadata;
• Collecting GIS data in the field for a variety of maintenance, law enforcement, and resource management activities; 
• Creating Area of Potential Effects (APE) maps for NEPA/NHPA review; 
• GIS modeling of resources;
• Creating a variety of cartographic products utilizing GIS data;
• Assist resources and cultural staff and managers in developing cultural, biological, and other geodatabases and mapping abilities in GIS; and
• Provide GIS technical assistance, training, and planning with field office staff on GIS software and geodatabases.

Timeline: 

• Six month appointment beginning February 13 or pending availability and completion of DOI Background Investigation
• 40 hours per week; some overtime may occasionally be required

Compensation:   

• $17.25/hour
• Health insurance

Location: 
Mojave National Preserve (MOJA) is 1.6 million acres, with about 44% of it designated as Wilderness. While most of MOJA is made up of the Mojave Desert, components of the Great Basin desert are found in higher elevations and parts of the southern portion of the park are made up of the Sonoran desert. Resources of the region include threatened and/or endangered species habitat, big game habitats, abandoned mine lands, and historic and prehistoric cultural sites.

Qualifications:
Technical requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in natural sciences, geography, or closely related field with coursework and/or experience that demonstrate understanding of the principles of geographic information systems (GIS); Applicants with advanced degree encouraged to apply;
• Experience using ArcGIS to create maps, analyze data, and organize layers, required; Knowledge and prior experience using ArcGIS thru Citrix interface, including Spatial Analyst, 3-D Analyst, Data Driven Pages, Spatial Database Engines, and ArcGIS Online extensions will be highly beneficial;
• Capacity to collect and maintain field data in an organized manner that is easily understood and accessible to other staff;
• Knowledge of the Mojave region, including common plants, wildlife, and/or geology/topography, desirable;
• Prior experience working collaboratively in a multi-agency environment, desirable;
• Ability to work collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary team; and
• Effectively communicate, both written and orally, with a diverse audience.

Although the majority of the work the will be in an indoor office setting, occasional field site visits are possible. Thus, the following qualifications are also desirable:

• Ability to navigate and collect data using handheld GPS units;
• Experience utilizing a compass and reading topographic map;
• Possess a clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license with ability to safely operate and maintain a 4WD vehicle on and off paved roads;
• Ability to live and work in rural and remote field and office environment; and
• Physically fit to work outdoors, carry up to 50 pounds of personal and/or field equipment, and withstand the rigors of a mountain and/or desert environment in all seasons.

Additional requirements:

• Ability to work productively, consistently and cooperatively as part of a team to accomplish mutual goals; 
• Possess strong organizational skills;
• Ability to communicate clearly and efficiently with the public, coworkers, and Technical Advisors both orally and in writing, and respond in a professional manner to inquiries from the public regarding work activities;
• Familiarity with backcountry, low-impact principles preferred; and
• Ability to pass National Sex Offender Public Registry (NSOPR) and federal criminal background checks.
• Successful applicant must complete a Department of Interior (DOI) Background Investigation (BI) or submit paperwork to NPS human resources indicating an active and fully adjudicated BI has already been completed prior to beginning position. If you already have a fully adjudicated BI, please let us know in your application.

How to apply: Please follow this link to apply directly through our online portal: 
http://crcareers.thegreatbasininstitute.org/careers/careers.aspx?rf=ECOLOG&req=2016-RAP-111

The Great Basin Institute conforms to all the laws, statutes, and regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action. We strongly encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply to all of our job openings. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, age, disability status, Genetic Information & Testing, Family & Medical Leave, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We prohibit Retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint or otherwise oppose discrimination.