GIS Assistant - AmeriCorps bei Conservation Legacy

POSITION DETAILS

Position Title: GIS Assistant - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Alaska Region Office, Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, Cape Krusenstern National Monument, Kenai Fjords National Park, Anchorage, Alaska

Can this position be fully remote: No

Number of positions available: 1

TERMS OF SERVICE

Duration: 52 Weeks (not flexible)

Flexible Start Date: Yes

Start Date: 01/12/2026

End Date: 01/11/2027

AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1700 hours - this is the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve.

BENEFITS

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $7,395.00 upon successful completion of position.
• Living Allowance of $700.00 per week.
• Relocation Allowance of $1,100.00 (distributed as a one-time lump sum with first paycheck)
• Student Loan Forbearance if applicable (administered by MyAmeriCorps, directly).
  • Student Loan Interest Payments if applicable (administered through MyAmeriCorps, directly).
• For 52-week-long positions only:
  • Healthcare Coverage (opt in)
  • Childcare Coverage (opt in)

APPLICATION TIMELINE

The position will close after receiving 60 applications, or at 11:59 p.m. EDT on Sunday, 12 October, 2025, whichever occurs first. The review of applications will begin after Sunday, 12 October, 2025. Preference given to applicants who submit applications before Sunday, 12 October, 2025.

PURPOSE

This GIS Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. Coastal Erosion

 In September 2022, the west coast of Alaska was struck by Extratropical Typhoon Merbok, causing flooding, erosion, and loss of infrastructure to over 35 communities along more than 1300 miles of coastline including the coasts of BELA and CAKR. To assess the impacts of Merbok, a rapid response SfM project was completed in October 2022. A follow-up was conducted in July 2024. In the aftermath of the typhoon, it’s important to understand how the coastline has changed and the impacts to NPS natural and cultural resources. 

 Red Dog Mine road

 Caribou, an important cultural and subsistence resource, are declining across Alaska. Red Dog Mine operates a 48-mile access road in the western Arctic with an easement through CAKR. The road crosses a caribou migration route. NPS flew the Red Dog Road with SfM to compare high-resolution imagery and elevation model with caribou movements, map spill and restoration sites to determine if migrating caribou may regard the road as a perceived barrier.

 Iceberg classification

 In KEFJ, glaciers cover half the park and play an important role in ecosystems and the visitor experience. Predicted continued loss of glacial ice will lead to the demise of tidewater glaciers and will likely impact fjord ecosystems through physical and chemical changes. One immediately observable impact will be the absence of icebergs used as haul outs by marine wildlife. Ice habitat in tidewater glacier fjords in Alaska host some of the largest seasonal aggregations of harbor seals in the world. Using SfM, several flights across three fjords are needed to complete a habitat evaluation of harbor seals and changes to their habitat (tidewater glacier ice haul outs).

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

This position provides a valuable opportunity to complete high-profile projects that will be referenced by park personnel for natural and cultural resource management. Specifically, serving on the projects will provide exposure to different applications of remotely sensed data in resource management; provide networking opportunities across a minimum of three National Parks in Alaska and an opportunity to visit those parks to present and highlight important findings. 

 Structure from Motion (SfM) data is the process of estimating the 3-D structure of a scene from a set of 2-D images. This data collection method is critical for landscape evaluation across large areas, typical to Alaska National Park features. The National Park Service is looking for a skilled and creative problem solver to evaluate and process large imagery and GPS datasets for the following:

 • Coastal erosion changes before and after Extratropical Typhoon Merbok in Bering Land Bridge (BELA) and Cape Krusentern (CAKR) National Parks in Western Alaska

 • Red Dog Mine Road in association with caribou movements, spill maps and restoration sites in CAKR

 • Floating ice classification for Harbor seal habitat evaluation in Kenai Fjords National Park and Preserve (KEFJ)

 • Potentially, landslide monitoring projects in KEFJ, Denali National Park and Preserve (DENA) and/or Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve (WRST) as required to support NPS operations

 Service will involve post-processing survey-grade GPS data with aerial imagery datasets and GPS to create orthoimagery and digital surface models, and perform analysis on results. This will range from creating digital surface model difference analyses for landslide movement and coastal erosion to manually digitizing changing coastline to running Python scrips to estimate the horizontal speed of landslides. There will be opportunities for field projects, including acquisition of aerial SfM imagery and GPS data; collecting GPS ground control locations for the areas surveyed; and potentially assisting with terrestrial lidar scans of landslides for movement detection.

 SfM data processing is a key technical skill that enables physical scientists supporting large intact regions, such as Alaska to collect remotely sensed data tailored to specific project needs. With the increasing need to evaluate large-scale coastal erosion and its impacts, geohazards like landslides associated with receding glaciers and implications of remote infrastructure on wildlife, data processing capabilities are a strong asset needed in physical science. This position offers a variety of projects further developing the applications and technical skills of an SIP participant using survey-grade GPS and GNSS processing, ArcGIS Pro and SfM software such as Correlator3D- applications needed in many agencies.

KEYWORDS: Structure-from-Motion, digital photogrammetry, coastal erosion, landscape mapping, GPS/GNSS

DELIVERABLES

1. Updated coastline map, coastal imagery and digital surface model using the digital shoreline analysis protocol for the National Park Service for BELA and CAKR – published in NPS digital archive with associated metadata.

 2. Processed aerial imagery and elevation model with associated metadata for Red Dog Mine Road corridor through CAKR.

 3. A minimum one SfM flight over KEFJ tidewater glacier termini and processed imagery in partnership with KEFJ park personnel with associated metadata.

 4. A minimum of two presentations for sharing the project and findings including presenting within parks and/or at academic conferences.

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 NPS site location.
• The applicant must be available to participate for 52 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience with GIS platforms like ArcGIS Pro is a requirement. Education or experience with Python in a GIS environment is preferred. Education or experience with mapping-grade or survey-grade GPS/GNSS is an asset but not required. Experience related to Structure-from-Motion software such as Correlator 3D is a benefit but not required. Partners are eager to see products from this project, so strong presentation and communication skills are an asset. Project data collection may be a possibility so this project may require flying on small aircraft (planes and helicopters). Comfort and experience serving in remote outdoor environments and flying in small aircraft or on small boats is an asset.

ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

POSITION SETTING

Project Environment: Time will be spent primarily in the office with some field project opportunities. Office projects will be based out of the NPS Alaska Regional Office, which is located in downtown Anchorage. Anchorage is similar to any small city in the US, with an airport, malls, grocery stores, and other typical amenities. Occasional field projects will be primarily based out of Anchorage, traveling in a small airplane for aerial imagery and GPS acquisition or to collect GPS ground control points. Basic camping gear, including tents, sleeping bags and backpacking stoves will be provided for field use. In the field, the SIP may need to carry personal equipment, water, and backpack and carry surveying equipment to load into planes and helicopters.

VEHICLE AND DRIVER’S 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 SIP participant will be responsible for finding housing in the nearby area. Park housing is not available. However, Anchorage is a compact city, with many housing options available within walking, cycling, or busing distance of downtown, where the NPS office is located. Options range from shared housing (at the low-cost end) to multiroom apartments (at the high-cost end). As of 11/2024, the average monthly cost of a 1-bedroom apartment within 5 miles of the NPS office was $1500. See Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist to get a sense for current Anchorage rental prices. Assistance can be provided to examine local housing to secure a place to rent before arriving.

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 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 email 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/.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional 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. Ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions.

TIME REQUIREMENTS

• This position is expected to serve full time each week, but exact service schedules may vary. 
• Lunch breaks 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

• Orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
• Pertinent training from the NPS site location throughout the term of service.
• Free professional development webinars led by Conservation Legacy staff.

EVALUATION AND REPORTING

As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of 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 and accomplishment tracking.

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 Alaska Region Office, Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, Cape Krusenstern National Monument, Kenai Fjords National Park will host a GIS Assistant.

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 a 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!”