Cartographer Fellow – USFWS Pacific Region (Region 1) Regional Office

Cartographer Fellow – USFWS Pacific Region (Region 1) Regional Office  

Summary: American Conservation Experience, a Nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is seeking ONE Cartographer Fellow to support the Land Acquisition and Outgrant functions of the  USFWS Pacific Region Lands Division by providing various mapping products, cartographic techniques, data development  and management working alongside USFWS Pacific Region staff. 

Start Date: April 7, 2024

End Date: April 5, 2025

**52 week commitment required**

Location:  USFWS, National Wildlife Refuge System, Pacific Region, Portland, Oregon Regional Office, Lands Division, Mapping and Survey Branch. The Pacific Region spans the states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Hawaii, and other Pacific Remote Islands and Territories and includes 67 National Wildlife Refuges, 1 national monument, and 4 marine national monuments that comprise over 777 million acres of lands and waters. The Regional Office is located in Portland, Oregon and is where this position will report. The Pacific region is committed to collaborating with our numerous partners, including Tribes and state, local and federal agencies, Native Hawaiians, and Indigenous Pacific Island communities. We work with our partners to protect thousands of species of birds, fish, animals, and the places they live.

For more information about USFWS Pacific Region, please visit:

https://www.fws.gov/program/pacific-region 

Position Overview:

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. This is a developmental position and the member would perform assignments under closer than normal supervision by the Lead Realty Cartographer and Land Survey staff. The member will apply professional and specialized knowledge in cartographic and survey mapping skills such as providing technical expertise and quality assurance for deliverable items for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pacific Region, National Wildlife Refuge System, Lands Division. The position may require day or overnight travel to National Wildlife Refuges and their surrounding communities.

This individual placement is meant to facilitate personal growth and professional development. The fellow will become familiar with land management agencies and have the opportunity to network with agency professionals. Position responsibilities will likely involve exposure to a variety of conservation fields and the ability to  shadow different work groups.

The member will provide support and assistance under the guidance and direction of FWS staff in the following tasks:

• Populate the Survey Monument feature data layer in ArcGIS and maintain the inventory of such information.
• Create shapefiles of the survey monuments using the most accurate methodology available.
• Work closely with the Lead Cartographer and Survey staff identifying the monuments that need to be mapped and added to the inventory.
• Create maps for the Realty Division using Realty Headquarters mapping templates and standards.
• Maps are needed to seek approval for various funding sources to acquire property. Samples include but are not limited to Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), Emergency/Inholding requests, Appraisal maps, Categorical Exclusion maps, Recreational Access maps, Regional map requests as needed.
• Other data development and mapping projects as needed
• GIS/LRS (Land Record System) Reconciliation
• Assist in comparing Realty land records and GIS data to ensure tract numbering is accurate.
• Work closely with Lead Realty Cartographer and LRS support staff.
• Occasional field work as opportunities arise.

Schedule: Duties will typically be carried out between 8 am and 5 pm PST, 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. The fellow is eligible for paid time off, up to 104 hours for the entire 52-week term of service and requests should be directed to ACE and the FWS for approval. This position is not eligible for Remote Work,  but may be considered for part-time Telework status,  which requires some  “on site” duty at the Portland Regional Office and FWS approval.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute approximately 40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $1010/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority:  Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service and 640 hours of service. If the duration of a PLC-eligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service (~16 weeks), the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC-eligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general information online: https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or FWS.

Gear Reimbursement:  ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position  must be approved by ACE staff prior to purchase. 

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support.

Grant Funding Opportunity:  The selected candidate(s) for this position will be eligible to apply for ACE’s Access and Inclusion Grant. This is a $500 grant which is intended to make participation in ACE positions more accessible to individuals who are underrepresented in the conservation field. Grant recipients will be able to allocate this funding to financial need(s) of their choosing. A limited number of grants are available. 

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.S. government contracts
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
• A valid driver’s license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required two-part criminal history check.
• Proficiency in the use of ESRI ArcGIS products (ArcGIS Pro 3x) along with a working knowledge of ArcGIS Online (AGOL).
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Applications (Excel, Sharepoint), Google Earth.
• Must be experienced with data creation, editing, and quality control workflows and possess strong cartographic skills with a proven ability to create high-quality GIS maps and figures using the above software applications.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills (e.g. structured decision making and issues identification skills)
• Good organizational skills (e.g. data management, files management).
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.
• Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website here https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

Preferred:

• Strong desire to enter the public service field as a GIS professional.
• Strong knowledge & understanding of cartography and mapping skills and techniques.
• Ability to plot and georeference land descriptions found in various Realty and Survey documents.
• Competitive applicants for this position require a minimum of a BS in Geo-information related degree.
• Interest in learning and working with current processes of data collection and documenting real property acquisition projects.
• Strong writing, communication and organizational skills;
• Ability to multitask and shift schedule and priorities to meet changing conditions;
• Commitment to completing tasks thoroughly and on time;
• Skills and abilities to resolve a full range of problems or situations when performing a variety of tasks in a field or office setting;
• Experience and/or knowledge of the mission of the USFWS and other federal land management agencies
• Understanding of political boundaries (i.e.city,county,state,country
• Understanding of the U.S. Public Land Survey System (PLSS)

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: This position requires physical exertion such as hiking short distances over hot, wet and rough terrain while carrying up to 30 lbs.; bending, crouching, stooping, lifting or reaching, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment and may involve fine and precise procedures, delicate adjustments or exact measurements.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 30 lbs., ability to move up to 30 lbs.
• Environmental: Primarily indoor conditions. When outdoors, work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position may require domestic travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards:

When working in the field, the ACE member may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, biting insects, high humidity, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct field duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources. Temperature and weather extremes can be encountered in the performance of field duties.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: 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.