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Public Land Name:
BLM Grand Junction Field Office

Position Title:
Cultural Resource Assistant & GIS Technician

Agency: BLM

Position Type: GeoCorps

Position ID Number:
2015409

Location:
Grand Junction, CO

Accepting Applications?

# of current Applicants: 0

Position Description:
Geospatial technologies are an integral function for the cultural resources program at the BLM Grand Junction Field Office. The GIS Technician/Cultural Resource Assistant will assist the cultural resources program on a variety of projects, including the development, maintenance, and management of a GIS database, geospatial analysis and modeling, and geospatial referencing. The intern will also be responsible for creating and maintaining metadata and creating map projects from digital spatial data. The BLM GJFO cultural resources program is working to update and expand its current GIS database to include all cultural resource projects that have occurred within the Grand Junction Field Office. The intern will update the current database with accurate information by using reports dating as far back as the 1970s. The addition of these reports into the geodatabase may require geospatial referencing. The intern will also review current data within the geodatabase and assess them for accuracy. The intern will be assisting the GJFO Archaeologists in completing cultural inventories for various projects within the field office. The intern will be hiking transects, identifying, and documenting prehistoric and historic resources and will be responsible for the paperwork for those projects (site forms and reports). The intern will learn the skills needed to recorded and evaluate archaeological sites which includes writing site descriptions and describing environmental conditions surrounding the site. The intern will also become proficient in recommending site eligibility determinations and mitigation options to protect threatened cultural resources. Additionally, the intern will assist with the in-field use of GPS units to map cultural resources and will be responsible for the production of maps for cultural resource reports using digital spatial data. This position is offered through the Geological Society of America's GeoCorps America Program in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management.

Goals, outcomes, and deliverables:
The goals of this position are to update and expand the current cultural resource program GIS database and to assist with and complete various cultural resource surveys. By completing these projects, the intern will gain valuable skills in GIS and GPS, including data management, metadata creation, and geospatial analysis using ESRI software. This position will also contribute to the goals of cultural resource management by compiling and verifying spatial data and site documentation that can be used to protect cultural resources for future generations. Finally, this position will contribute to the future management of lands managed by the BLM GJFO through the completion of site documentation, report completion, and cultural resource management recommendations. Materials produced will include site documentation, reports, shapefiles, maps, metadata, and cartographic products related to the description provided above. Depending on interest and research goals, the intern may also be provided with opportunities to present at a professional conference during or after the internship.

Agency involvement (project oversight, mentoring, team building, etc.):
The intern will work directly under the supervision of the BLM archaeologists and other BLM full-time staff.

Professional development & learning opportunities: (trainings, certifications, networking, etc.):
BLM staff will provide the intern with numerous opportunities related to cultural resource management. The intern will have access to and will be expected to complete some level of GIS and GPS training, both from the supervisor and through online courses. The intern will spend field time with the supervisors, learning pedestrian survey techniques and how to record sites to the BLM Colorado standards. The intern will also complete first aid, defensive driving, and four-wheel driving training. While this internship is advertised for cultural resources, cross training is also encouraged, and depending on interest, the intern will be able to spend field days with biologists, ecologists, hydrologists, geologists, range staff, or other BLM staff as appropriate.

Leadership Development:

Presenting Project Results:

Physical/Natural Environment:
The BLM GJFO manages approximately one million acres on the northeast margin of the Colorado Plateau. It includes the Grand Valley and the surrounding mountainous terrain (elevations from 4,350 to 11,500 ft.). Summers tend to be hot and dry with average temperatures in the high 80s-90s.

Work Environment:
The participant will work in the staff offices of the GJFO and on land managed by the GJFO, with base hours between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm. During field work, the participant may spend long periods of time collecting GPS data on foot. Participant may use a government vehicle for field work.

Qualifications:
Applicant should have or be working toward a degree in anthropology, geography, geology, environmental science, or other related field, with preference given to those with anthropology or archaeology backgrounds. Undergraduate students, graduate students, and recent graduates are welcome to apply. Previous experience in geospatial sciences is essential for this position. The BLM Archaeologists have backgrounds in GIS and will assist the intern in the development of skills necessary to complete assigned tasks. The intern will be working with ESRI based GIS software (the market/government standard) and Trimble GPS hardware/software. The intern should have experience with GIS software and be familiar with GPS technologies. The participant should be able to work well independently, both in the office and in the field with little supervision. The applicant must have good attention to detail, superb written and oral communication skills, and may need to work on GIS programming. Applicant must have a valid driver’s license and a good driving record. Prior to starting this position a government security background clearance will be required. Professional development is highly encouraged through this internship; depending on interest and funding, the BLM may be able to assist interns with professional conference presentations based on the research conducted while at the BLM.

Vehicle / Driver's License Requirement (If applicable):
The participant will be supervised by the BLM archaeologist. The BLM archaeologist will assist the intern with acquiring the skills and knowledge necessary for the position, and a GIS expert on staff at the BLM is available should the intern need guidance on GIS that the archaeologist cannot provide. This internship will be worthwhile to the applicant because it will provide an opportunity to understand how GIS is used to manage one of the BLM’s “multi-uses”. The participant will learn how geospatial data is used to comply with the National Historic Preservation Act and the National Environmental Policy Act, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, and the Archaeological Resources Protection Act. This internship provides an opportunity for the intern to see how their skill set can be used for public service through federal employment.

Position Dates:
Approx. June 1- August 21, 2015, with some flexibility. Orientation workshops (June 1-5) will be held at the BLM Grand Junction Field Office.

Position Duration: 12 weeks

Hourly Wage: $3,000

Housing Details:
On-site housing is not available. Participant shall arrange their own rentals, but BLM staff can provide suggestions for local housing options. A personal vehicle is recommended, though Grand Junction has limited public transportation. Many BLM employees carpool or bike to work.

If you have questions about the application and selection process, please contact GSA's GeoCorps managers.  If you have questions about any aspect of the position — description, qualifications, housing, dates — please direct them to the contact(s) listed in the project description. Remember, application materials can only be submitted online. The project contact(s) will not accept application materials sent to them via e-mail, mail, fax, etc. See the full program details at the GeoCorps homepage.

PRIMARY CONTACT INFORMATION
Natalie Clark
Archaeologist
2815 H Road
Grand Junction, CO 81506
 (970) 244-3038
 nfclark@blm.gov
Website

SECONDARY CONTACT INFORMATION
Michelle Bailey
Assistant Field Manager
2815 H Road
Grand Junction, CO 81506
 (970) 244-3047
 m1bailey@blm.gov
Website