The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management, Needles Field Office is seeking to hire a GIS Technician to assist in the collection, organization and management of GIS data, provide support of the BLMs Wilderness Monitoring program, and support of the update of the Needles Field Office Lands with Wilderness Characteristic Inventory.
Likely 60% of the Technicians time will be spent working with the BLM State Office GIS Team, and the Needles Field Office staff to organize and manage GIS data and to ensure that staff develop the capabilities to utilize the system. Work processes will include representing our office to the State GIS Team, organizing/editing existing data, and providing guidance to office staff on the utilization of the office GPS/GIS system. The Bureau has adopted "Keeping it Wild: An Interagency Strategy to Monitoring Trends in Wilderness Character Across the National Wilderness Preservation System" as the protocol used to monitor BLM Wilderness areas. The Needles Field Office manages over 20% of the Bureaus Wilderness in 18 units. The program includes an inventory of various aspects of Wilderness character involving both review of various field office program records, field observations and survey. Field data is collected utilizing GPS and then stored, analyzed and spatially depicted using GIS. The Bureau also maintains an inventory of Lands with Wilderness Characteristics, which are not currently designated as Wilderness. This inventory requires updating on a routine basis. The office has completed much of this update, but still requires an assessment of the primitive backcountry roads within the Lands with Wilderness Characteristic Units. This will require a GIS analysis of potential roads, and then field review of the roads to measure their conditions against a preexisting criteria. The Technician will conduct much of this work in coordination with BLM staff, and may also serve as a Team Lead for a short term conservation crew to help with the field survey and data collection. Most of the work will be performed in an office setting, however, field work will include rugged terrain; to include very steep, rough, uneven or rocky surfaces; positions require physical exertions, such as, bending, crouching and stooping, stretching, reaching, or similar activities. Individuals should be capable of working in pairs in the field or individually in an office environment. Work may occur in temperature extremes exceeding 100F. There is some flexibility in choosing a work schedule, but likely the Technician will work five 8-hour days (Monday - Friday), or four 10 hour days with flexibility as long as the 40 hours/per week was being met. Compensation: o Rate of Pay: $18.59/hr o Health and dental benefits o Occasional field per diem o Housing Allowance: $200.00 per month Timeline: o October 2012 through September 2013, or until funds are expended. Potential for extension pending funding and performance review. Qualifications: o Coursework in recreation/wilderness management, natural resources, or equivalent field experience desirable; o Experience collecting field data and/or following established field collection protocols; o Experience creating maps and manipulating data using ArcGIS; o Knowledge of Trimble GPS units, ArcMap, and ArcPad sotware; o Experience with database development and management, including the development and use of geo-databases. o Ability to read and navigate using USGS topographic maps and a compass; o Experience writing project reports and/or presenting technical data in an organized and understandable manner; o Motivated, self-starter, detail oriented, and possess good organizational skills; o Ability to camp and work in remote locations; o Willingness to work to accomplish the goals and mission of the BLM and GBI; o Ability to work in harsh and rapidly changing environments, traverse uneven terrain and hike cross-country for extended distances (8-10 miles); and o Clean, valid, state-issued drivers license with ability to safely operate a 4WD vehicle on paved and unpaved roads. o Local applicants are encouraged to apply. How to Apply: Qualified and interested applicants should forward a cover letter, their résumé, and a list of three professional references to Stacy Mitchell, HR Coordinator, at [email protected]. Please include where you found this position posted. This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or religion. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
