GSA Online Application System

 

APPLY NOW   Public Land Name: Big Thicket National Preserve Position Title: GIS and Longleaf Pine Project Assistant [Mosaics] Agency: NPS Position Type: Mosaics Position ID Number: 2015200 Location: Kountze, TX Accepting Applications? # of current Applicants: 0 Position Description: Big Thicket National Preserve is known as the Biological Crossroads for several of the the major ecotypes of the U.S. It also serves as the NPS unit with the largest amount of potential longleaf pine habitat which has seen a 97% decline in the U.S. The current listing of the red-cockaded woodpecker is a result of this habitat loss. Big Thicket is kicking-off a Centennial Celebration activity in early 2016 to create a 'Centennial' longleaf pine forest in one of our best historic habitat areas. Over 100,000 trees will be planted by partners and volunteers and it is critical that we begin the planning and site preparation in 2015. This Mosaic in Science position would serve as a key staff person during the summer of 2015 to help Big Thicket gather necessary site information on the approximately 1,000 acres that will be the focus of this effort. They will do this during site visits with our Biologist, during monitoring trips for threatened and endangered species (woodpeckers & phlox), and by compiling current information on soils, vegetation types, and fire history. Recent Lidar and aerial photography will be incorporated into the GIS site maps and map layers by the selected applicant. They will be an integral participant in the preparation of the site preparation and restoration plan prior to the seedlings being planted in early 2016. This introduction will include the full range of restoration planning incorporated by the NPS. They will also get hands-on experience in creating a NPS webpage on longleaf pine and in preparing a draft write-up on this very important tree species and the associated plant communities. One additional opportunity will be to visit and observe Tribal members from the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas who create small intricate baskets and other items from longleaf pine needles gathered in Big Thicket while hearing their perspective on the history of the area. This is a Mosaics in Science position. The Mosaics in Science Program is run in partnership with the National Park Service and The Geological Society of America. 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.