sUAS & GIS Tech w/ Vermont Association of Conservation Districts

The sUAV/GIS Technician will be part of the team which has responsibility for coordinating VACD’s sUAV program while also supporting the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) GIS Specialist in providing state-wide GIS, cartographic and business and mobile tool technical assistance as part of the NRCS Resource Team.  The sUAV/GIS Technician’s Home Office will be determined based upon the geographic location of selectee.  While the Home Office will be in one of NRCS’ Field Offices or State Office classified as the Technician’s Duty Station there is the expectation that there will regular opportunities to Telework as well as instances and opportunities to “Hotel, or Touchdown” when necessitated by working in NRCS’ Field Offices throughout the Vermont. 

Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) Program Duties and Responsibilities – 0.50 FTE
As a VACD sUAS team member the sUAV Technician will continue the effort to develop, and implement the sUAS program. This work may over time and with experience include:

• Attain and maintain FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification as a VACD sUAS pilot;
• Complete project requests including project planning and coordination, flight, processing, geospatial product creation, and deliverables to internal clients;
• Maintain flight checklists (Survey123), flight log, maintenance schedule, and record-keeping of time metrics;
• Train field staff as Visual Observers and in usage of geospatial product data;
• Carry out outreach, such as on Teams Channel, Newsletter, Storymap, etc. Deliver presentations to internal (VACD and NRCS) and external clients;
• Collaborate with other sUAS team members for project scheduling, vehicle charging and maintenance, troubleshooting, research, etc.;
• Explore and analyze new uses for sUAV for improving conservation planning;
• As needed and capable research and draft proposals and other documents including progress and grant reports to support the sUAV program’s growth.

GIS Technician  Duties and Responsibilities – .35 FTE
The purpose of the GIS Technician position is to assist and support Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) field and state office staff in planning and implementing conservation practices in order to reduce phosphorus and sediment loading resulting in adverse impacts to water quality of Vermont’s rivers and water bodies. Working with technical direction provided by NRCS’ GIS Specialist or designee the Technician’s responsibilities may include:  

• LiDAR derivative products & procedure development
• Provide Technical Assistance on ArcMap and ArcGIS Pro. Assist Field Office Soil Conservationists, Engineering Staff and/or Conservation Planers as requested and available.
• Publish content to ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Enterprise Portals and support the GIS Specialist in maintaining the online geodata library
• Develop and update Mapping and Workflow Automation tools including the use of templates, python or other coding language, and new technologies
• Provide updates through outreach avenues (Microsoft Teams channel, newsletter, office hours, Storymap, etc) with helpful workflows, technical tidbits and basic procedures
• Use Conservation Desktop to support field staff including delineate/digitize and attribute customer tract and field boundaries, planned conservation practice locations and quantities

 
Business and Mobile Tools Planning – .15 FTE
Support and assist the NRCS mobile planning tools initiative, including such mobile applications as Field Maps and Survey123. This work may overtime and with training include:

• Under NRCS supervision and guidance support NRCS-Vermont Mobile Tools program
• Assist in development and data configuration of ESRI Field Applications. Field test and troubleshoot mobile content as needed
• As requested assist in the creation, maintenance, deployment , and training of users in mobile field maps using ESRI Field Maps Application;
• As needed assist in the creation, maintenance, deployment, and training users in mobile surveys using ESRI Survey123 Application adapted from national planning tools;
• Support the creation of digital content to support independent user operation and engagement with new technology such as guidance documents, video tutorials, and hosted web sites (ESRI Storymap);
• Assist in the management of additional geospatial connections of feature services to Conservation Desktop, ArcGIS Pro templates, widgets, or other applications;
• Attend user conferences to learn about and implement new solutions as applicable.

The sUAV/GIS Technician will be an employee of VACD.  VACD will provide overall administrative, HR support and supervision carried out chiefly by the VACD Conservation Program Manager.  Responsibility for day-to-day assignments and technical oversight may be provided by NRCS GIS Specialist, as well as members of NRCS Resource Team or designee.  Training, technical guidance and workload prioritization will be discussed with VACD’s Conservation Programs Manager in consultation the NRCS.  Any changes in duties and program direction will be discussed with representatives from NRCS and VACD Conservation Programs Manager and approved by the VACD Executive Director.

Salary and Benefits: This is a full-time, non-exempt position, with starting wage of $ 18.06 per hour. After successful completion of the first year of service position salary will advance along a path equivalent to the Federal General Services GS 6 pay grade starting at Step 1. In addition the position is eligible for yearly Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) increases as determined by the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM) at the beginning of each calendar year. The benefits also include health benefits, participation in employer contribution 401 K plan, sick, holiday and vacation leave. 
 
Training and Professional Development: The sUAV/GIS Technician will receive orientation and training from VACD, NRCS and other partners and will have multiple opportunities for professional development as approved by the VACD Conservation Programs Manager.
 
Reporting: Monthly narrative and statistical reports will be submitted for review to the VACD Conservation Program Manager. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in natural resources, geospatial science, agriculture or related subjects preferred. A working knowledge of natural resources, agriculture, and water quality issues a plus.
• Knowledge, course work and proficiency ArcGIS and coding languages. Experience working with topographic maps and aerial photos or LIDAR.
• Experience operating Unmanned Aerial Vehicles including RTK Quadcopters, and understanding of data retrieval and processing is preferred. Holding of or working towards a FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification is desired
• Successful grant writing and program coordination would be valuable.
• Computer proficiency, particularly with Microsoft Office, Excel and database programs
• Strong interpersonal, written, oral communication and presentation skills
• Able to work independently
• Detail oriented in data collection and organization
• Comfortable with field work on farms and in direct contact with farmers
• Knowledge and demonstrated commitment to conservation and stewardship of natural resources, sustainability and ecological processes is required
• Eligible to be cleared to use the USDA computer network is required.

Send resume, cover letter and contact information for three professional references by January 24th to VACD, c/o Joanne Dion at [email protected], or PO Box 889, Montpelier, VT 05601.