Location of Service: Great Smoky Mountains National Park – 107 Park Headquarters Rd Gatlinburg, TN 37738
About Great Smoky Mountains National Park:
The mission of the National Park Service is to preserve our nation’s most iconic natural resources and cultural heritage unimpaired for future generations. More than 14 million visitors come to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park annually making it the most visited national park in the world. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most biodiverse park in the US National Park System making it a focal point for scientific research nationwide. Comprised of more than 600 square miles of dense southern Appalachia forest, the park straddles the Tennessee & North Carolina state line and is bounded by the Cherokee, Pisgah, and Nantahala national forests and several mountain communities.
Position Summary:
AmeriCorps members serving in the GIS & Data Management program at Great Smoky Mountains National Park learn how geospatial and tabular data are used to inform land management decisions. They will receive formal training and on-the-job instruction in the use of cutting-edge technology to develop data collection protocols that enhance our understanding of park resources and natural processes. Members develop high-quality map and data products designed to meet the needs of a staff of subject matter experts. They assist park staff in maintenance of geospatial and tabular data in many aspects of park operations including resource management, public safety, and visitor use. These could include the collection and deployment of data solutions to support:
- inventory and monitoring of rare, threatened and endangered plants and animals
- treatment and monitoring protocols of exotic and invasive species
- tracking and monitoring of bears, elk and feral hogs
- fish distribution analysis
- water and air quality monitoring
- documentation of cultural resources
- planning and visitor use management
- law enforcement and public safety
Members are asked to research and develop new technologies that improve efficiencies in data collection, analysis, and presentation of map and data products. They participate in various projects to support park operations including the production of paper and digital maps, database development, and web application deployment. They provide informal trainings and formal instruction for novice users in the use of geospatial technologies.
Members are provided the opportunity to serve on the park’s Search and Rescue Team and participate in planned prescribed burns after the required training and physical fitness tests are completed. In the event of a regional natural disaster, members may be offered the chance to serve in collaboration with incident management teams and emergency response personnel.
Individual and career development opportunities will be provided throughout the service year. This includes access to the LinkedIn Learning Library and the Esri Academy provided through subscriptions maintained by the Department of the Interior. CPR/First Aid, Wilderness First Responder, Operational Leadership and several other emergency response courses are offered in person at the park. Members should draft individual development plans and attend regular career development sessions with their on-site supervisor.
AmeriCorps members are required to perform public lands improvement projects which may include but is not limited to removal of invasive species through physical, chemical, biological, and mechanical methods, removal of unnatural or natural debris, and native plantings. Activities may also include restoration of rare plant habitat, scenic vistas, and wetlands.
GIS & Data Management AmeriCorps members serve 40 hours per week on a Monday through Thursday schedule (10-hour days). Housing may be available but is not guaranteed. Members may have to find their own housing outside of the park and commute in. If housing is offered by the park, living in park housing is not a requirement and your decision on housing will not be used in our evaluation.
The member(s) in this position will have the opportunity to gain the following skills/credentials:
- Proficiency in the Esri suite of applications including (though not limited to) ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online and Enterprise, Field Maps, Survey123, Dashboards
- Proficiency in Microsoft Access, Excel & Word
- Maintain GIS software on desktops and mobile devices, including but not limited to ArcGIS Pro, Field Maps, and Survey123
- Collect data with mobile devices and high-accuracy GPS/GNSS receivers
- Build custom web applications and web maps with ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online
- Write and maintain basic Arcade and Python scripts used for automating tasks
- Work in the field with resource managers from a variety of disciplines including ecology, vegetation, entomolgy, wildlife, fisheries, air quality, and resource education
- Access to the ESRI Academy & LinkedIn Learning
- Opportunity for Search and Rescue training, CPR training, and Leadership training
Site Preferences/Qualifications:
- Professional or academic experience with geographic information systems and data management is required.
- Education or experience in resource management, environmental science, planning, or emergency response and a strong interest in pursuing a career in resource conservation, land management, and GIS.
- Demonstrate well-above-average technical skills and possess an ability to grasp complex data relationships and quickly assimilate to new technology.
- Comfortable making presentations to large groups (5 to 20+ people)
- Strong technical writing skills and attention to detail.
- Able to work as a member of a complex team with people from a variety of backgrounds and technical skills.
- Ability to work independently, exhibit strong organizational skills and take on a leadership role.
- Committed to honesty, integrity, innovation, and professionalism.
- Must have personal transportation & a valid driving license (no moving violations)
- The field duties component of this position will be performed outside in all kinds of weather and require a high level of fitness and ability to hike in uneven terrain with backpacks up to 30 pounds. Members are required to follow proper safety procedures and use standard safety equipment to avoid the possibility of bruises, muscle strains, cuts and scrapes, and more serious injuries.
Equal Opportunity Statement: AmeriCorps prohibits all forms of discrimination and harassment based on the protected categories of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, generic information, military service, or reprisal.