GIS Assistant - AmeriCorps

POSITION DETAILS

Position Title: GIS Assistant - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Yosemite National Park, El Portal, California

Can this position be fully remote: No

Number of positions available: 1

TERMS OF SERVICE

Duration: 20 Weeks (not flexible)

Flexible Start Date: Yes

Start Date: 01/05/2026

End Date: 05/25/2026

AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 675 hours - this is the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve.

BENEFITS

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $2,817.14 upon successful completion of position.
• Living Allowance of $600.00 per week.
• Relocation Allowance of $450.00 (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).

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. This project meets the NPS mission by preserving special status wildlife species. This project is one of the highest priorities in YNP (Yosemite National Park). YNP biologists are collaborating with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the United States Geological Survey to create conservation strategies for federal and state endangered species. Wildlife found in the mid-elevation dense forests of the foothills and mountains, which are considered at high risk for catastrophic fires. Multiple species that the GIS Assistant will contribute to are considered indicator species of forest health and requiring specific habitat structures that take decades or centuries to form (e.g., snags, tree cavities). Our Terrestrial Wildlife Branch is conducting interdisciplinary projects with the Physical Sciences and Landscape Ecology Branch of NPS to model prospective habitat locations and analyze data in light of a shifting environment. Additionally, YNP biologists are working together with NABat, and the National Wildlife Health Center to better understand species vulnerable to the effects of environmental changes, human disturbance, and other imminent stressors (e.g. disease).

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The SIP will be an integral part of Yosemite’s Terrestrial Wildlife Program. Our program works to manage, monitor, protect and preserve wildlife populations within Yosemite National Park. The applicant will focus on data for endangered and common wildlife projects including (Great Gray Owl, Spotted Owl, Songbirds, Bats, and Sierra Nevada Red Fox). They will be a part of a dynamic team that provides reliable data to promote effective conservation decision making and the long-term viability of wildlife populations across Yosemite and beyond. The SIP participant will be mentored in managing and displaying data for this important park program. Office projects will involve building geodatabases, dashboards, experience builder platforms, entering data, managing a database of current and previous wildlife observations, and displaying data using GIS data visualization tools. Data types include capture data, audio data, GPS location data, and thermal and infrared video data. Optional field projects will include going out on captures of fisher and bats, and outreach aimed at emphasizing the ecological importance of the Park's wildlife species through education and communication to the visitors of Yosemite.

KEYWORDS: GIS, geodatabase, Field Maps, Survey123, wildlife, conservation

DELIVERABLES

The SIP will be presented with a choice of various project deliverables that would further the conservation and research goals of the Terrestrial Wildlife Program. Project deliverables would include establishing a database of songbird, Sierra Nevada Red Fox (listed species), Spotted Owl (listed species), and/or Great Gray Owl (listed species) and creating a visual representation (e.g. dashboard or experience builder) of these databases. At the end of the position, project deliverables would be included in a suite of geospatial resources which can be used by Yosemite, other National Parks and collaborators to observe species distribution through time and inform the future needs of conservation and biological variability as some species wane towards extinction or are affected by disease.

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 20 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Competitive applicants will have at least three years towards an undergraduate degree in GIS, cartography, biological sciences, wildlife biology, computer science, or another related field. Experience working in ESRI ArcGIS software and applications, producing well-designed cartographic products, and managing geospatial data are required. Additional skills with Python and R scripting, spatial analysis, working GPS and topographic maps will be considered. Must have an interest and ability to work independently, follow detailed protocols, adapt to evolving work conditions, and have a passion for wildlife conservation.

ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

POSITION SETTING

The SIP will spend the majority (90%) of their time in the office in El Portal with occasional (10%) field projects in Yosemite Valley that involves educating and communicating citizens about bats. The office in El Portal, CA sits at roughly 1,900 ft in a Mediterranean atmosphere with hot, dry summers and cooler, potentially wet winters. El Portal, which is strung along the Merced River just a few miles downriver of the Arch Rock Entrance Station, is largely home to other NPS employees. El Portal consists of a few separate areas tucked into relatively flat parts of the steep river canyon. NPS offices flank the town to the west, with the Rancheria Flat residential area just upriver. These houses and apartments are newer, and house a mix of permanent, seasonal, and volunteer employees. Heading farther east and upriver, the town center is located to the far east end. Here, there is a small grocery store, gas station, community hall, U.S. Post Office, and some NPS partner offices. A third housing area, Old El Portal, is located uphill and is home to mainly permanent residents. As an El Portal resident, the SIP participant can take advantage of recreation facilities in Rancheria Flat, including a pool, sports field at the local school, and the local branch of Mariposa County library. Residents can shop at the El Portal Market for grocery basics, which due to its location tends to be pricey, or drive to Mariposa for a full grocery store, 45 minutes from El Portal. Of all the cell phone carriers, only Verizon gets service in town, and it is typically spotty. Both the community hall and the library have free wifi.

VEHICLE AND DRIVER’S LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

• Applicant will not need to drive a government vehicle.
• A personal vehicle is recommended for this position.

HOUSING

Park housing is available and will be provided at no cost to the participant. Housing is in shared facilities, either in a dorm, apartment, or house in El Portal. The selected candidate will most likely be sharing kitchen and living space with another individual but may have their own room. Units are furnished with beds, couches, tables, dressers, full bathrooms, range, oven, and refrigerator. If there are household items you cannot live without, you may want to bring them with you. Here are suggestions and recommendations of items you may want to bring with you: Sheets, pillows and bedding for twin size mattress, mattress pad, towels, toiletries, personal computer, variety of warm weather clothing, e.g., rain gear and clothes hangers, laundry basket/hamper, bicycle (not necessary, but nice to have), decorations to make you feel at home, broom, mop, and cleaning supplies, kitchen towels, dish cloths, sponges, plates, bowls, mugs, glasses, pots, pans, utensils, and coffee pot or tea kettle.

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 Yosemite 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!”