Conservation Legacy

POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4491
Position Title: GIS Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Water Resources Division, University Park, Pennsylvania
Number of positions available: 1

TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 52 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 10/05/2026
End Date: 10/04/2027
AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1700 hours - this is the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve throughout the duration of their position.

BENEFITS

  • Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: $ 7,395.00 upon successful completion of position (pre-tax)
  • Weekly Living Allowance: $ 775.00 per week, fixed rate (pre-tax)
  • Relocation Allowance: $ 450.00 (distributed as a one-time lump sum with first paycheck) (pre-tax)
  • Student Loan Forbearance if applicable (administered by MyAmeriCorps, directly)
  • Student Loan Interest Payments if applicable (administered through MyAmeriCorps, directly)
  • For 52-week positions only:
    • Free Healthcare Coverage (opt in)
    • Childcare Coverage (opt in)

APPLICATION TIMELINE
Preference given to applicants who submit applications before Sunday, June 14, 2026. Applications will be reviewed after the application deadline passes. Positions will close after receiving 60 complete applications, or at 11:59 p.m. EDT on June 14, 2026, whichever occurs first.

KEYWORDS: degraded wetlands, inventory, GIS, database, environmental concerns, natural resources

PURPOSE
This GIS Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. This SIP Guest Scientist position is a cornerstone of the WASO Wetlands Program’s long term vision: building a service-wide, authoritative wetland delineation dataset, strengthening the Degraded Wetlands Inventory, and enabling data driven restoration planning. The deliverables generated will directly support NPS leadership, philanthropic partners, and cross agency collaborators in prioritizing restoration investments across landscapes—and in doing so, will strengthen protection of wetland resources across the entire National Park System.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The WASO Wetlands Program seeks a highly motivated SIP Participant to advance several core, service-wide wetland data initiatives. This position plays a central role in developing the National Park Service’s service-wide wetland delineation database, maintaining and improving the Degraded Wetlands Geo Database, and producing high value data visualizations to support internal planning, external partnership development, and restoration funding alignment. The project directly supports an ongoing, NPF funded inventory that has already identified more than 1.5 million acres of degraded wetlands requiring restoration across the National Park System.

Major Duties and Responsibilities include:

  1. Lead and assist in building a unified, service-wide repository for NPS wetland delineation data and associated spatial products
  2. Implement and optimize the FileMaker Pro coding effort needed to integrate a direct data upload function from the NPS Wetlands Delineation App, ensuring seamless ingestion, standardization, and long term data attainability across WRD and park units
  3. Coordinate with WRD specialists, park staff, and external partners to ensure alignment with NPS wetland mapping standards and FGDC compliant documentation

The SIP will maintain, QA/QC, and enhance datasets within the Degraded Wetlands Geo Database, building on its use as a multi layered planning tool referenced across AGOL and WRD mapping applications. Support the incorporation of remotely sensed, field verified, and legacy delineation datasets into an enterprise “degraded wetlands” framework used in workshops, restoration scoping, and mitigation banking conversations. Ensure datasets are structured to support cross park comparison, landscape level prioritization, and integration with other NPS resource management systems. Lead development of interactive Tableau dashboards and data visualization workflows that highlight the more than 1.5 million acres of identified degraded wetlands.


The SIP will also have opportunities to assist with various other wetland management projects, including wetland delineation, restoration, and wetland compliance. Some of these opportunities will be field based and require travel.

DELIVERABLES

  • Build and maintain the FileMaker Pro workflow that ingests wetland delineation data from the NPS Wetlands Delineation App into a service-wide database, aligning with enterprise digital field data practices
  • Maintain and improve the Degraded Wetlands Geo Database used across WRD’s restoration scoping workflow, including identification of degradation drivers, recommended restoration actions, and project readiness tiers
  • Develop interactive Tableau dashboards that visualize more than 1.5 million acres of degraded wetlands, enabling leadership and partners to understand patterns across parks and identify high value restoration opportunities.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien.
  • Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award.
  • Prior to starting the position, agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check for the employer of record, Conservation Legacy, and a separate government security background check for the host site.
  • The applicant must be available to participate for the entire 52 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Ability to hike in remote areas for extended periods during inclement weather.
  • Ability to lift and haul up to 30 lbs many times in a day over rough terrain.
  • Navigate by topographic map and GPS.
  • Ability to complete projects safely, wear proper PPE, and identify safety hazards in the field.
  • Ability to use GPS equipment and create GIS data of GPS waypoints using ArcGIS Pro or QGIS
  • Computer, GIS skills – ability and desire to learn FileMaker Pro and Tableau software
  • Use of a digital camera
  • Uploading and managing digital photos using a computer

Prior to starting this position, a government security background clearance will be required. Applicant must have a valid driver’s license and a good driving record. Must be able to drive trucks and trailers long distances over rough roads. If the SIP is required to drive a park vehicle for their position, a driving records search will be performed and the SIP’s ability to drive a park vehicle will be contingent upon the results. Examples that will preclude a SIP from driving a park vehicle include DUIs, multiple moving vehicle violations, suspended or revoked license, or three or more accidents (regardless of fault) in the last 3 years.


The SIP is expected to provide their own basic field gear suitable for variable weather and rugged terrain. At a minimum, they should come prepared with:

  • Sturdy hiking boots
  • Several pairs of light wool or other moisture‑wicking socks
  • Durable long pants appropriate for fieldwork
  • A set of thermal base layers (top and bottom)
  • A waterproof rain jacket and rain pants
  • Insulating layers for cold weather (e.g., winter coat, insulated pants, sweatshirts, or wool sweaters)
  • Warm gloves, workgloves, knit hat
  • A sun‑protective hat
  • T-Shirts

ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

POSITION SETTING
Time will be spent both in the field and in the office, but primarily the office. When in the field the SIP should expect long days walking, hiking over rough terrain under variable weather conditions. Field projects will be dependent on needs at the time and this is a service-wide program - so projects may cover every type of habitat/ecosystem possible from arctic and sub-arctic weather to tropical weather and everything in between. These environments can be hot, humid, cloudy, rainy, cold, and possibly snowy; or days could be sunny and warm. The SIP will have to have field gear and the mental strength to withstand challenging weather while conducting physically demanding field projects. In the field, the SIP will carry personal equipment, water, and backpack and haul heavy equipment to the project sites. Alternatively, there will be many more days in the office being at a computer writing reports and entering data in a database.

The local living area (State College, PA) was ranked by USA Today as the best small college town in the United States. Numerous restaurants, grocery stores, and local parks are within a 1-2 mile walking distance of the downtown area. The community is safe, pedestrian friendly, and hosts many local music and cultural events throughout the year in addition to world class sporting events - many of which offer free general admission.

HOUSING
Park housing is NOT available. The participant will be responsible for finding housing in the nearby area.

The participant will most likely have to find a place to rent in State College, PA. University Park, PA is the home of The Pennsylvania State University and numerous rental options including apartments, houses, and individuals seeking roommates. The University and adjacent State College, PA offer all the amenities of a college town. Rent for one-bedroom apartments ranges from $1,100-$1,400 per month. Shared housing (room in a house or apartment) ranges from $750-$1,050 per month.

VEHICLE AND DRIVERS LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

  • Applicant will not need to drive a government vehicle.
  • A personal vehicle is not required for this position.

OUR COMMITMENT
Stewards Individual Placements and Conservation Legacy are committed to the full consideration of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential job functions. Physical requirements may include periodic overnight travel, non-traditional work hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. The ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to Scientists in Parks using the email address at the base of the home page, under “Questions? Contact Us!”

TIME REQUIREMENTS

  • This position is expected to serve full time each week, but exact service schedules may vary based on project needs. Lunch breaks and days off will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service hours.
  • Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.

ORIENTATION AND TRAINING

  • Member will receive pertinent project and site training from the host site throughout the term.
  • Member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
  • Access to free professional development webinars led by Conservation Legacy staff.

EVALUATION AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of minimum AmeriCorps hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service.

Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets, monthly accomplishment tracking, a mid-term report, and a final report.

HOW TO APPLY
Apply online, all Scientists in Parks positions are listed at: https://conservation-legacy.breezy.hr/. Complete the application for this position, highlighting why you are interested in the position and how your background and experience will help you succeed in this position. Be prepared to upload your resume and unofficial transcript as part of completing the application questionnaire.

Once you begin applying for a position, the application must be completed in one sitting. You cannot save and return later to complete it. Applicants can apply for up to five (5) Scientists in Parks positions per season. You need to complete a separate application for each position in order to be considered. You should receive a confirmation email after successfully submitting an application. Sometimes institutional email filters/settings can redirect, or block emails related to the application. We recommend watching spam, junk, and promotional email folders in case your service delivers messages there. Please visit How to Apply for additional resources and information about applying (i.e., learn what materials to have ready for applying, find a worksheet that previews application questions, etc.). Learn more about Scientists in Parks at: https://www.scientistsinparks.org/.

Stewards Individual Placements (Stewards), a program of Conservation Legacy, provides individuals with AmeriCorps service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. Participants serve with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits to provide institutional capacity, develop community relationships, and support ecosystem health. Stewards in partnership with the Scientists in Parks program will host the GIS Assistant at Water Resources Division.

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to Scientists in Parks using the email address at the base of the home page, under “Questions? Contact Us!”

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