2022 NPS Academy GIS and Geoscience Member - Grand Teton National Park - AmeriCorps Eligible
Summary: American Conservation Experience (ACE), a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Grand Teton National Park, is seeking one GIS and Geoscience Member as part of the 2022 NPS Academy cohort. During this 20-week position, the Members will learn the standard approaches to physical sciences within the National Park system while simultaneously learning about the National Park Service (NPS) as a career path.
For more information about NPS Academy, please visit: npsacademy.org.For more information about ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org.
Start Date: May 23, 2022
End Date: October 7th, 2022
* A minimum 20-week commitment is required for the position and participation in the orientation March 21st-25th*
About NPS Academy: The National Park Service (NPS) Academy is an innovative and immersive program designed to introduce a diversity of participants, ages 18 to 30 (or Military Veterans up to 35) from backgrounds historically underrepresented in the National Parks, to career opportunities with the NPS. Participants come away equipped with knowledge about the NPS mission and the NPS Universal Competencies that are considered the foundation of all careers in the NPS and are critical to all park service employees. The NPS Academy maximizes career opportunities with NPS through training and hands-on experiences. This program is generously funded by Grand Teton National Park Foundation.
Program Goals:The major goals of the NPS Academy are to:
- Connect a diverse group of young adults sharing a passion and curiosity for careers within the NPS
- Deepen participants' knowledge of and personal network within the NPS by fostering an NPS mentorship relationship
- Develop a network of emerging conservation and park leaders by building ambassadorship, storytelling, and leadership skills
- Create a more inclusive future for public lands
Location: Grand Teton National Park- The town of Jackson offers a variety of amenities and services in close proximity to Grand Teton National Park. Jackson is only four miles from the southern boundary of Grand Teton, 12 miles from Moose, 20 miles from Jenny Lake, and 41 miles from Colter Bay. The year-round population of Jackson is about 10,000 people. However, millions of visitors come through every year, which means that Jackson offers many amenities that you don't normally see in a town of that size. The Teton Range is a magnificent mountain range in this northwestern region of Wyoming, with the small town of Jackson in its foothills. The Grand Teton rises to 13,770 feet, 7,000 feet above the valley floor. Numerous peoples have roamed these lands, showing first signs from various Native American tribes around 11,000 years ago, from the ranchers and trappers of the 1800's, to the homesteaders and modern-day conservationists that support the park. Grand Teton National Park is rich in history of human cultures and biological diversity, being a part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $480/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.
Housing: Housing and travel assistance to and from park location will be provided. The ACE Member will be accommodated in park housing at no cost for the duration of the position.
AmeriCorps: This position may be eligible for a 450-hour AmeriCorps Education Award $1,678.57 upon successful completion of service hours. Additional enrollment steps are required.
Scheduling: Members will work a 5/4-9 schedule. This means they will work eight 9-hour days and one 8-hour day for a total of 80 hours in a biweekly pay period. Days off alternate each week between two days and three days. Weekend, holidays, and evening work expected.
Position Description:The GIS/Geosciences member will assist the geospatial data program by preparing GIS-related graphic material for reports, using GPS data collection software to collect digital spatial data, and use GIS software to create, manage, edit and document geospatial information Duties will include field data collection efforts, coordinating with many different internal partners, then processing this information and developing a map and/or analysis product that supports natural resource managers in the Park. Additionally, the candidate will have the opportunity to assist in hydrology and physical science monitoring. Candidates must be able to hike up to 15 miles a day in varied terrain, carrying up to 40 lbs with or without reasonable accommodation. We are looking for someone enthusiastic, eager to learn and contribute, and who is able to collect and record detailed and accurate data. A background in GIS is strongly encouraged, and additionally experience in resource management, wildlife management, biology or a related field is desirable.
Grand Teton provides a spectrum of experience intended to grow Academy members through field experience and training, assistance integrating into park life, and building strong connections among the Academy cohort and personnel for future support as they pursue NPS careers. Each member will be assigned a mentor in their park district who will meet with them regularly to provide insight, help adjust to park life, edit their resume and assist the member in creating an individual career development plan. A number of Grand Teton National Park staff members have previously served as mentors, and the Outreach Program Manager incorporates time during the pre-season workshop so that previous mentors can share best practices with new mentors. Supervisors will meet with members to establish duties, performance expectations, and operations.
This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.
Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a hiring authority upon completion of their term of service. Eligible members must meet standard requirements of completing at least 640 hours and utilize their certificate within 2 years of their completion date.
Skills: An important reminder: all skills needed for this position will be trained on the job; a good attitude, curiosity for learning, and a willingness to work hard contributing to the team are the only prerequisites to finding success.
Essential skills: Willingness to hike long distances and be outside all day; Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation
Additional skills that are helpful: relevant experience in subject areas such as cartography, spatial analytics, hydrology and/or geoscience; Knowledge of high accuracy GPS devices, ESRI software and mobile data collection
Skills that members will gain from this position: backpacking, camping, GPS & GIS, field research, hydrology, glaciology, data entry, and leadership skills
Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:
Physical Demands:The work is partially sedentary with prolonged standing, walking, and bending often required.
Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Heavy items (e.g., equipment and packs up to 50 pounds) must be moved and carried on a routine basis.
Environmental: The work is performed in an office, laboratory, and in the field. Field work includes exposure to extreme weather and terrain conditions, poisonous plants, biting insects, and wild animals. Laboratory work may involve exposure to hazardous chemicals.
Travel: Occasional travel. Overnight backcountry camping trips will occur monthly.
ACE Requirements:
- Members must be US citizen or Permanent Resident, as required to comply with U.S. government contracts
- Attendance of the NPS Academy Orientation held March 21st-25th, 2022 (travel costs covered by ACE)
- Participation in summer workshopsWilling and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
- Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
- A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
- Willing to undergo and must pass required criminal history checks.
- Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
- ACE Members must verify that they are fully vaccinated for Covid-19 or have requested and been granted a medical or religious exemption to vaccination by the time they start their term.
To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest in the position and NPS Academy, as well as contact information for three professional/academic references to the online application page for this position here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/. Early consideration will be given as resumes are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact ACE EPIC NPS Member Coordinator, Deidra Goodwin at dgoodwin@usaconservation.org
EEO: American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.