Description: The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management’s Needles Field Office (NFO), is recruiting to hire an experienced GIS Technician to work cooperatively with BLM resource staff to provide geographic information system (GIS) mapping and data analysis support related to conservation, restoration, transportation management and other natural resource management projects. The GIS Technician will perform duties related to a broad spectrum of projects including, but not limited to three main elements: (1) Update the NFO GIS Mapping capabilities, which entails inventorying and collecting route alignment, route sign location, campsite, kiosk, and trail head data and locations, as well as photos of potential dispersed kiosks, camping sites, and signs along the routes; (2) Assist resources staff in developing cultural, biological, and other geodatabases and mapping abilities in GIS; and (3) Provide GIS technical assistance, training, and planning with field office staff on GIS software and geodatabases.
Location: The Needles Field Office oversees 3.6 million acres of public lands and 1.4 million acres of wilderness in the Mojave and Colorado Deserts of southeastern California. There are 18 individual Wilderness Areas within the NFO, which represent more acres of wilderness than any other BLM field office (21% of all BLM wilderness acreage). Further, the NFO is unique in that it receives relatively high rainfall compared with other regions of the Mojave Desert, which means that wildflower shows in the spring can be spectacular. Summer temperatures usually reach highs around 115 degrees F, and temperatures over 120 degrees F are not uncommon. There are endless opportunities to recreate within the NFO (OHV use on designated routes, rock hounding, hiking, camping, etc.) or surrounding areas (Death Valley, Joshua Tree, Red Rocks/Mount Charleston, and the Sierras). Los Angeles, Phoenix, Las Vegas, and San Diego are all within a 5-hour drive of Needles, CA. Compensation & Timeline: o Rate of Pay - $19.00/hour o Medical benefits (health and dental) o Start Date: February (or upon availability and pending completion of DOI Background Investigation) through June 2014 o Full time, 40 hours per week Qualifications: o 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; o 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; o Knowledge of the eastern Sierra region, including common plants, wildlife, and/or geology/topography, desirable; o Prior experience working collaboratively in a multi-agency environment, desirable; o Ability to work collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary team; and o 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: o Ability to navigate and collect data using handheld GPS units; o Experience utilizing a compass and reading topographic map; o Possess a clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license with ability to safely operate and maintain a 4WD vehicle on and off paved roads; o Ability to live and work in rural and remote field and office environment; and o 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. o Successful applicant(s) must complete a Department of Interior (DOI) Background Investigation (BI) or submit paperwork to BLM human resources indicating an active and fully adjudicated BI has already been completed prior to beginning position. How to Apply: Qualified and interested applicants should forward a cover letter, their résumé, and a list of three professional references to Amy Gladding, GBI 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.
