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ACE: Data Management Fellowship (3)– USFWS National Wildlife Refuge System

ACE EPIC placements provide recent young adult graduates with focused, hands-on opportunities to work alongside and under the guidance of agency mentors as they apply their knowledge of resource management on their path to becoming the next generation of resource and land managers.

Summary: American Conservation Experience, a non-profit youth and young adult conservation corps in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking 3 Data Management Fellows to contribute to the USFWS geospatial data project alongside National Wildlife Refuge System Staff. During this term, the ACE member will join our team of young adults working on meaningful conservation projects. This will include frequent interactions and communications with local refuge and regional office staff to support tasks related to reviewing, editing, and populating authoritative spatial data layers.

To learn more about the FWS geospatial program visit: https://fws.maps.arcgis.com/home/index.html.

For more information about ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org.

Start Date: January/February 2022

End Date: 26 weeks after start

**26-week commitment required**

Location: This position will be fully remote, with the potential to engage local refuge staff across 3 USFWS regions headquartered in Hadley, MA, Atlanta, GA, and Sacramento, CA.

Age Requirements: Funding for many ACE positions is provided by a federal program designed specifically for the employment of youth and young adults and therefore is subject to minimum and maximum age requirements of 18-30 (35 for veterans).

This position may require ACE or FWS vehicle operation in the performance of the duties and therefore the minimum age to be considered is 21.

Work Schedule: Duties will primarily be carried out Monday-Friday. Bi-weekly totals should not exceed 80 hours. A flexible work schedule may be required, which could involve work performed outside of normal work hours including on weekends and/or holidays. Time off may be granted and requests should be directed to ACE and the FWS for approval.

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute approximately 40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $500/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or USFWS. A $225/week housing allowance will be dispersed bi-weekly in addition to the living allowance.

Public Land Corps (PLC) Non-competitive Hiring Authority: Members serving on this project may be eligible to receive a Department of the Interior (DOI) PLC non-competitive hiring authority certificate upon completion of their term of service. Eligible members must meet standard requirements of completing at least 640 hours (16 weeks at 40 hours/week) and utilize their certificate when applying for qualifying federal positions within 2 years of receipt and before the age of 31. More information can be provided upon request.

Position Description:

This individual placement is meant to facilitate personal growth and professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with agency professionals. Training will be provided for all tasks.

Primary Duties include:
  • assisting local and regional staff populate NWRS authoritative spatial data layers (ADLs) including Assets (i.e., buildings, water control structures), Inventory and Monitoring Locations, Vegetation, and Management Units.
  • GIS data review, editing, creation, and manipulation (e.g., Management Units and I&M Locations)
  • coordination with subject matter experts and involve organizing relevant files and documents in Service repositories (e.g., Vegetation)
  • working with spatial data already located in ArcGIS Online (e.g., Assets)

Physical Requirements: This position requires physical exertion such as bending, crouching, stooping, lifting or reaching. Hand and finger dexterity and physical coordination may involve fine and precise procedures, delicate adjustments or exact measurements.

Equipment Use and Training: The USFWS will provide the tools required to accomplish the required tasks including a laptop with ArcGIS Desktop software. If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the FWS or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the FWS. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the FWS, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to FWS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.

Qualifications:

Required:
  • Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
  • Proficiency in the use of ESRI ArcGIS products (ArcGIS 10.x) and ArcGIS Pro (2.x). Knowledge of editing data in various formats (e.g., shapefiles, and feature classes), editing techniques (e.g., heads up digitizing, load and append)
  • Proper use and understanding of coordinate systems, georeferencing hard copy maps, etc.
  • Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
  • Proficiency in the use of MS Office products
  • U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
  • A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
  • Willing to undergo and must pass required criminal history checks.
  • Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
  • Good organizational skills for local products prior to transfer to national layers (e.g., data management, files management).
  • Ability to effectively communicate with local field staff regarding task at hand and work to reach effective solutions.
  • Must have access to an internet connection of sufficient quality to work effectively with field and regional office staff.
  • Ability and willingness to undergo a Federal criminal background check.

Preferred:
  • Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a Bachelor's of Arts degree in natural resource management, geography, or other field (with required GIS experience) appropriate to this position.
  • Desire to understand and improve spatial data quality and content within the National Wildlife Refuge System.
  • Experience using ArcGIS Online (AGOL) including working with and understanding web maps and feature services.
  • Ability to train field staff, if necessary, to facilitate task completion.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team including the ability to remain flexible and positive as assignments shift between refuges or authoritative data layer tasks.

To Apply: Please submit your resume, unofficial academic transcripts, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to the online application page for this position by clicking the green "Apply Externally" button.

NOTE: Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact ACE EPIC USFWS Division Support Specialist, Claire Barnwell, cbarnwell@usaconservation.org, (585) 484-7626.

Vaccination Requirement: ACE Members must verify that they are fully vaccinated for Covid-19 or have requested and been granted a medical or religious exemption to vaccination by the time they start their term.

EEO: American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.