BLM GIS Technician Internship – St. George, UT

Organization: American Conservation Experience; http://www.usaconservation.org

Job Title: BLM GIS Technician Internship

Location: St. George, UT

Hours and Compensation: Full time, $12 per hour for 40 hours per week

Position Dates: July 30, 2012 (pending completion of federal background check); End Date: May 2013 (extension possible depending on funding)

Application Deadline: 

Posted On: June 22, 2012

Organization Overview

The BLM manages nearly 22.9 million acres of public lands in Utah, representing about 42% of the state. Located mostly in western and southeastern Utah, these lands are varied, ranging from rolling uplands to sprawling desert lowlands. Utah’s public lands feature some of the most spectacular scenery in the world, from the snow-capped peaks of remote mountain ranges to colorful red-rock canyons.

BLM Utah manages public lands for a variety of uses. These lands not only provide minerals, energy, and livestock forage, but also natural, historical and cultural resources that the agency is charged with protecting. In addition, Utah’s public lands offer incomparable opportunities to experience solitude and enjoy outdoor recreation.

Interns will gain job skills related to the management of public lands by working with land managers primarily on geospatial data creation and maintenance, integration of data into Enterprise GIS architecture, production of technical cartographic work, and assistance to staff in the use of GIS software, in support of public land management.

Description

Position Description: The ACE intern will assist GIS managers and other BLM resource specialists in accomplishing a variety of tasks such as geospatial data creation and maintenance, integration of data into Enterprise GIS architecture, production of technical cartographic work, and assistance to staff in the use of GIS software, in support of public land management. The incumbent would work directly under the guidance of the Field Office GIS Specialist who assigns specific projects in terms of objectives, priorities, and deadlines, and provides assistance on the more complex assignments. The on-site supervisor will review completed work.

American Conservation Experience:

BLM GIS Technician Internship

Summary: American Conservation Experience, a nationwide Non-Profit Conservation Corps based in Flagstaff, AZ, in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) St. George Field Office (SGFO), is seeking one intern to dedicate 40 weeks assisting GIS managers and other BLM resource specialists in accomplishing a variety of tasks such as geospatial data creation and maintenance, integration of data into Enterprise GIS architecture, production of technical cartographic work, and assistance to staff in the use of GIS software, in support of public land management. This opportunity is intended for enthusiastic young professionals with a deep interest in advancing their career goals in public land management.

Location: The BLM Utah St. George Field Office has stewardship over approximately 600,000 acres of public lands in Washington County, with 15 wilderness areas, hundreds of miles of trail, and three distinct geographic regions intersecting in southwestern Utah. The office is located in St George, Utah.

Project Partner Website: For more information on the BLM St. George field office please visit the website: http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/st__george.html

Responsibilities

• Identify and implement analytical techniques necessary to perform spatial analysis
• Use the BLM’s standard Geographic Information System (GIS) applications (ArcGIS suite of programs)
• Perform field data collection with a variety of GPS units and their associated software (Terrasync, Pathfinder Office, ArcPad)
• Implement quality control and assurance guidelines for geospatial data projects
• Work actively to bring consistency to all geospatial data
• Produce field maps and publication-ready materials with appropriate cartographic elements
• Provide technical user support to BLM specialists and managers for all aspects of geospatial data and software
• Provide GIS support for wildland firefighting efforts in the St. George Field Office

Work is mostly in the office, but occasional fieldwork may be required. The work is primarily sedentary, requiring long periods of sitting in one position, intense concentration, and working for several hours at a time. Stress may be experienced on a regular basis in attempting to respond to conflicting objectives and working against tight deadlines with limited resources. The intern may be required to work in remote areas of the field office. This includes driving four-wheel drive vehicles, all-terrain vehicles (ATV), and spending all day walking and working in rough, muddy, uneven terrain while lifting up to 50 pounds of gear. Incumbents are expected to work 40 hours/week and must be willing to work varied schedules.

Qualifications

Applicants must have a degree (or be working towards a degree) in a natural resource based curriculum or other related discipline and a GIS certificate. A combination of relevant education and appropriate experience is also acceptable. Resumes must contain enough information to show that the applicant meets the experience as defined in the announcement. We are seeking a determined, detail-oriented person who is looking for experience working with public land management agencies.

• Internship is available to US Citizens and Green Card holders only
• Intern must be between the age of 18 and 25 (candidates who are 26-28 years old and have recently completed a relevant Master’s Degree will be considered).
• A valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and the ability to provide this documentation
• A personal vehicle is required
• Personal medical insurance for the duration of participation with ACE
• Ability to undergo a federal criminal background check

Desired Qualifications:

o Ability to apply GIS and related technology in support of natural resource management.

o Practical knowledge of the techniques used in the analysis of multiple resources, combined with knowledge of the magnitude and complexity of GIS databases.

o Practical knowledge of geographic/cartographic sciences, interdisciplinary resource management, and database management.

o Practical knowledge of the general land use planning process and land management programs.

o Knowledge of the interrelationships of various natural and cultural resources; for example, range, wildlife, soil, water, minerals and others.

o Ability to communicate clearly about the application of GIS with planners, resource specialists, managers, and peer professionals in Federal, State, and local agencies. Ability to communicate effectively with a multi-disciplinary group in a knowledgeable and accurate manner.

o Skill in operating and utilizing standard types of peripheral GIS, GPS and field equipment to include but not be limited to scanners, plotters, GPS-enabled cameras, and GPS units used to develop, digitize, maintain, manipulate and produce GPS and GIS map products and associated data.

o Plant identification (field work may require collection of threatened and endangered plant species).

o Experience with wildland fire incident mapping operations.

o Experience in backcountry hiking and navigation in steep terrain.

o Ability to work independently in remote areas.

o Experience driving four wheel drive vehicles and ATV’s over rugged roads.

o Strong desire to enter the public service field as a GIS/Natural Resources professional.

The intern must be willing to represent ACE and the BLM in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner. ACE reserves the right to require drug testing.

How to Apply