POSITION DETAILS
Position Title: GIS Assistant
Park Unit: Big Cypress National Preserve
Location: Naples, Florida
Number of positions available: 1
Can this position be fully remote: YES
INTERNSHIP DATES AND LENGTH
Duration: 12 Weeks (not flexible)
Start Date: 10/06/2024
Flexible Start Date: YES
LIVING AND RELOCATION ALLOWANCE:
Weekly Stipend: $565.00
Relocation Allowance: $400.00
CURRENT NUMBER OF APPLICANTS: Under 75 (This posting will close after receiving 75 complete applications or at 11:59 p.m. EDT on Sunday, 16 June, whichever occurs first.)
POSITION DESCRIPTION
The proposed internship position would be at Big Cypress National Preserve (BICY) in Ochopee, FL focused on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) applications and database management and development within the invasive plant management program. Primary Duties include: 1. Collaborate with park biologists to organize invasive plant management spatial and treatment data for a 20-year period across different software platforms. 2. Utilize GIS (e.g., ArcGIS Pro, AutoCAD) and database software (Access) to organize and migrate data across multiple platforms and time periods into one condensed useable format for future land managers use. Secondary Duties Include: 3. Develop GIS-based spatial analyses and scripts to assess vegetation changes over time. 4. Assist in the creation of maps, reports, and presentations to communicate findings and support decision-making processes within the vegetation program.
POSITION IMPACT
BICY encompasses 729,000 acres of freshwater swamp and uplands in southwest Florida. BICY’s diverse plant communities include an array of both tropical and temperate flora. Over a thousand plant species can be found within the Preserve, ~750 native and ~300 non-native/invasive plant species. Invasive plants introduced into BICY have caused both environmental and economic damage to the Preserve. Due to a year-round growing season, invasive plant management is a constant effort across BICY’s landscape. The BICY invasive plant program is one of the largest programs within Resource Management, treats thousands of acres of invasive plants each year, and is responsible for the division’s largest ongoing restoration and resiliency efforts within the Preserve.
The internship is expected to yield the following outcomes:
- Enhanced capacity for data-driven decision-making and adaptive management practices in vegetation management through the development of one navigable database for invasive plant occurrence and treatment data.
- Development of GIS-based tools and resources to support ongoing monitoring, research, and restoration efforts.
- Increased collaboration and knowledge sharing among park staff, researchers, and regional stakeholders involved in invasive plant management.
- Professional development and advancement opportunities for the intern in the fields of GIS and natural resource management.
- Connection to the NPS for the intern through engagement with Preserve biologists and contribution to critical projects which support the future success of the invasive plant program.
- Increase diversity and inclusion within resource management by supporting engagement with a new generation of natural resource managers.
DELIVERABLES
- Development of a consolidated spatial and treatment database for 20 years of data across multiple platforms. Database will be a navigable and in a useable format for future land managers uses. Instructions for how to use the database will be provided with final product;
- If time permits, Develop GIS-based spatial analyses and scripts to assess vegetation changes over time; and
- Creation of maps, reports, and presentations to communicate findings and support decision-making processes within the invasive plant management program.
DESIRED INTERN QUALIFICATIONS
Experience with ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Pro migration, AutoCAD, Microsoft Access, and database management. BS degree in GIS or Natural Resource Management degree with work experience with referenced platforms required. Highly desired MS in GIS, graduate coursework in GIS, or equivalent work experience applying GIS applications and tools to natural resource management.
The applicant must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. legal permanent resident (“Green Card holder”). Prior to starting this position, a government security background clearance will be required. The applicant must be available to participate for 12 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.
WORK SETTING
Primary work environment is in the office, working at a computer for long periods of time. Local area is in a subtropical climate with wet and dry seasons. The Preserve is in the western part of the Greater Everglades region, and part of the Big Cypress watershed. The internship would ideally be during the coolest part of the year and within the dry season. On the western side of the state, the Preserve is 40 minutes away from Naples, FL and 80 minutes away from Fort Myers, FL where there is an international airport. On the eastern side, the Preserve is 90 minutes away from Ft. Lauderdale and Miami, FL. Intern can find all necessary amenities in Naples such as grocery stores, medical resources, restaurants, and shopping.
VEHICLE AND DRIVERS LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
- Applicant must have a valid driver's license to drive a government vehicle.
- A personal vehicle is REQUIRED for this position.
HOUSING
Park housing is available and will be provided at no cost to the participant. Shared or private room, kitchen facilities, bathrooms
KEYWORDS
GIS, Database Management and Development, Spatial Data Analysis, Invasive Plants, Natural Resources, ArcGIS Pro Migration
IMPORTANT NOTICES
This posting will close after receiving 75 complete applications, or at 11:59 p.m. EDT on Sunday, 16 June, whichever occurs first. 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 Scientists in Parks Intern positions per winter. 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
https://www.scientistsinparks.org/