POSITION DETAILS
Position Title: Biology Assistant
Park Unit: Inventory and Monitoring Division, Northern Colorado Plateau Network
Location: Moab, Utah
Number of positions available: 1
Can this position be fully remote: YES
INTERNSHIP DATES AND LENGTH
Duration: 52 Weeks (not flexible)
Start Date: 10/07/2024
Flexible Start Date: YES
LIVING AND RELOCATION ALLOWANCE:
Weekly Stipend: $665.00
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 Ecology Assistant will work with the Northern Colorado Plateau Inventory and Monitoring Network scientists, data managers, field crews, and parks staff. They will complete projects and support data science and quantitative ecology workflows associated with this network representing 16 National Park units in Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and Wyoming. We collect data on a wide variety of natural resource “vital signs” through field observation and will format and analyze these data. This position will assist us in completing analysis and reporting on long-term ecological monitoring in National Parks. This information is critical for understanding the status and trends in the health, diversity, and resilience of the park ecosystems. The assistant will work independently and, in a team, setting; in the office and occasionally in the field; and in potentially 16 National Park units. This position will gain experience working in a collaborative environment with a quantitative ecologist and with a team of professional scientists and data managers responsible for conducting natural resource monitoring. The position will focus on data management, data quality analysis, dataset production, statistical analysis, and data presentation through visualizations and reports. The person selected will be expected to contribute to several projects based on their interest and skills. The projects could include developing scripts to automate a report, developing data visualization tools, analyzing datasets and preparing them for analysis and publication; and/or developing and implementing statistical models and synthesizing the results. There will also be opportunities to work with network scientists, science communicators, and park resource managers applying project results.
POSITION IMPACT
The Ecology assistant will contribute to the long-term monitoring of natural resource vital signs through projects involving data science, statistical analyses, and data management. The data produced by these efforts are vital for informing management decisions in the network parks.
DELIVERABLES
Depending on person and the projects selected, the intern will produce a summary report, new datasets, a data visualization (e.g., dashboard or StoryMap), a standard operating procedure (SOP), a statistical model, data output solutions using ‘R’ and/or Python, and/or a code repository. We are also open to innovation and the development of a product unique to the incumbent.
DESIRED INTERN QUALIFICATIONS
General knowledge of data science concepts, principles, methods, and practices. Comprehension of R and/or Python and the skill to apply these technologies effectively. Experience with Esri software packages for GIS (e.g. ArcGIS Pro, Field Maps, Survey123). Skills in extracting, wrangling, and publishing data in R, Python, or GIS; perform statistical and spatial analyses; and managing data and code repositories. Use knowledge of natural resources and data visualization to create reports, graphics and dashboards using supported technologies (e.g., Rmarkdown, ArcGIS, Power BI, etc.). Solid written and oral communication skills and the ability to be detail oriented and well organized are a must. Strong commitment to safety and NPS operational leadership principles.
Experience with water quality monitoring, ecological research, and/or vegetation monitoring would also be helpful. Skills related to successful teamwork (clear communication, situational awareness, reliability, respectfulness) and building successful relationships with colleagues. A keen interest in using science to help with management decisions.
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 52 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.
WORK SETTING
This position could be remote. this is an office job that is very analytical in nature. However, there will be opportunity for occasional field work in some of the Northern Colorado Plateau network parks if the intern is willing to travel to a park to meet with our field crews. If the applicant chooses to be in Moab, it is a medium sized town focused on recreation and tourism. All basic amenities are there, grocery stores, schools, laundry, and hardware store. For specific items, Grand Junction is the next closest city, 1 hour and a half drive. The area has abundant recreation opportunities from the river to the desert to the nearby La Sal Mountains. Several National Park units are within a days drive. Housing is expensive with the cost being around $1,000 per bedroom.
VEHICLE AND DRIVERS LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
- Applicant must have a valid driver's license to drive a government vehicle.
- A personal vehicle is recommended for this position.
HOUSING
Park housing is NOT available. The intern will be responsible for finding housing in the nearby area. There is no park housing, but this position can be remote.
KEYWORDS
visualization, data management, data publication, quality assurance, science communication, ArcGIS, AGOL, cartography, spatial analysis, Python, R, natural resource monitoring, ecology, botany, data science, modeling, analysis and synthesis.
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/