GIS Intern

Grand Canyon Trust staff and volunteers collect and use data to support our mission. We are looking for someone with substantial ArcGIS experience to help develop offline field apps for collecting important field data. Before field staff can collect field data, the Trust’s GIS team curates and prepares offline maps and reporting dashboards. Apply your creativity to customize field maps and present the data so staff can efficiently collect observations in the field. Your work during this internship will result in tools that help us restore, protect, and advocate for public lands and support tribal priorities across the Colorado Plateau.

What does this position entail?

You will help us develop several offline survey apps and curate data. Possible projects include:

• Building data collection maps in Esri’s Field Maps application for Trust staff.
• Designing data dashboards that highlight patterns and insights of field data collected by staff and volunteers.
• Constructing a Survey123 app, shareable with members of the public who will conduct offline pinyon jay surveys.
• Building a database that collates uranium contamination data from multiple sources for abandoned mine sites on the Navajo Nation.

What might you learn along the way?

• How to build customized and professionally designed offline surveys using Esri’s Survey123 and Field Maps apps.
• Scripting skills in languages including Python, R, and Arcade, useful for automating GIS operations and for processing and presenting data collected by our apps.
• Inner workings of ArcGIS Online and Enterprise as well as ArcGIS’ Map Viewer, Dashboards, and Experience Builder.
• How geospatial data is used in support of conservation.

Do you have what it takes?

• Extensive experience with Esri’s GIS platform, including ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online.
• Demonstrated competence with ArcGIS Online interactive web map builder.
• Experience with Esri’s online applications such as Dashboard, Experience Builder, Field Maps, and Survey123.
• Experience with a scripting language such as Python, R, or JavaScript.
• Substantial GIS coursework at a college or university.
• Ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple projects at once.
• Strong attention to detail and highly organized.
• Willingness to work independently on assignments.
• Ability to give and receive feedback and ask for help when needed.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate complex information effectively and succinctly in written and visual materials.
• Ability to communicate scientific data effectively through written reports and graphs.
• Interest in and commitment to communicating with people from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Note that experience includes lived experience, traditional knowledge, volunteer experience, school or coursework, work experience, and other related qualifications, skills, and experience.

No candidate will meet every requirement. If you’re excited about the position and think you may be a good candidate, we encourage you to apply.

Location

Remote, but the intern must reside in Arizona, Utah, Colorado, or New Mexico. If you are based in Flagstaff, Arizona, you will have the option to work at our local office. If based around Denver, Colorado or Moab, Utah, you may have the opportunity to occasionally work in-person with the GIS director or senior GIS analyst.

Compensation and benefits

$25.00 per hour. This is not a benefits-eligible position, but interns accrue sick leave during their internships (about two days), and receive a $500 housing stipend, $250 travel allowance, and $200 professional development stipend.

Employment term

This is a 12-week internship, beginning on May 18, 2026, and ending on August 7, 2026. The intern is expected to work an average of 40 hours per week. There is some flexibility in start and end dates, if needed.

Supplies needed

The intern must have reliable internet access. The Trust will provide the necessary hardware and software subscriptions for the duration of the internship.

Who would my supervisor be?

Josh O’Brien, senior GIS analyst

Grand Canyon Trust internships are managed by the Rising Leaders Program. Interns are expected to communicate regularly with Rising Leaders staff about progress and any support needed along the way.