GSA Online Application System

 

Public Land Name: Southern Region (R8) Regional Office (Remote/Telework - Eastern Time) Position Title: CLOSED Geospatial Data Integration and Management Assistant Agency: USFS Position Type: GeoCorps Position ID Number: 2022616, 2022637 Location: Remote/Telework - Eastern Time Accepting Applications? No # of current Applicants: 0 Position Description: GeoCorps America participants must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Learn more. Each project can accept up to 100 applicants. GeoCorps applicants can apply for multiple projects per season. Applicants must complete a cover letter for each project for which they apply. For current applicants: You are considered a project applicant once you have successfully added the project to your profile while you are logged into your application form. The added project would appear under “POSITIONS YOU HAVE ADDED” for the GeoCorps America Program. You are encouraged to add projects before you complete your application components. In order to be fully considered for any position, you must complete all application components before the application deadline passes on 3 February. Login to your GeoCorps application profile to check the status of your application components, and make sure to complete any remaining items before the deadline passes. Traditional Forest Service careers have focused on boots-on-the-ground operations to manage the land. Forest Management has evolved with the digital age to incorporate its business operations to include geospatial data from ground, aerial and satellite data to manage the health of forests, ecosystems, watersheds, wildlife, maintain recreation sites, and provide public safety. The Resource Information Management (RIM) unit within the Southern Region of the USDA Forest Service creates science-based tools for increased accountability, performance, and transparency for management activities on national forests and grasslands. This project works with resource managers on data stewardship, geospatial analysis, remote sensing data and tools, and training assistance to support the Forest Service’s mission to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The participant will work in a team environment and work directly with the Resource Information Management staff to manage corporate databases and for providing support in GIS and remote sensing data for program business operations. The participant will assist with developing data dictionaries, data models, and metadata for multi-disciplinary information and geospatial applications. The participant will assist the operation of complex computer systems and software packages and to use established procedures to produce intricately detailed maps and graphics. The participant will assist with informal training and provides technical assistance to GIS software users in the development, storage, retrieval, and analysis of data. The participant will work in a team environment to test data workflow for unmanned vehicles, participation in testing for data transfer protocols for hazard support products. The participant will learn about a range of environmental data from LiDAR, optical, video, to possible RADAR and thermal sensors. The participant will learn and promote the use of national remote sensing tools with resource managers for their business operations. The participant will engage in the development of data-driven decision making projects to supplement the regional and subregional efforts. The participant will develop queries and updates, program routines, and reports to expedite processing of resource and management data. The participant will resolve errors and ensures the accuracy of information. The participant will validate data to ensure consistency across the subregions (i.e., collection, inventory, input, and reporting) and that it meets regional and national requirements. This project is offered through the Geological Society of America's GeoCorps America Program, in partnership with the Minerals and Geology Management Program of the USDA Forest Service. GSA and its partners are closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and remain committed to providing enriching geoscience work experiences while maintaining the safety of project participants and mentors. Because the current COVID-19 pandemic is expected to continue into 2022, project timelines and structure will remain flexible. As such, it may be necessary to postpone start dates, begin work remotely, or reformulate the project workplan. Should any development in the COVID-19 pandemic impact a project’s ability to proceed as planned, the GeoCorps team will work with the host site and project mentors to assess the situation and determine the best course of action at that time. GSA encourages candidates to apply for these opportunities and appreciates your flexibility and understanding during this time. Goals, outcomes, and deliverables: The participant will be engaged in Remote Sensing and GIS projects for business operations. The participant will support field teams in response to creating products and service for non-fire events such as hurricane, tornados, floods and infestations. The participant will have the opportunity to work with LiDAR data, merging the data with other datasets and participating in outreach, planning and meetings. The participant will design Microsoft SharePoint pages to promote sharing data for large scale non-fire response. The participant will learn how to create and manage regional AGOL accounts for staff access to geospatial online data and create geospatial products, tools and new datasets that assist with forest management decision making on a regional scale using AGOL, SharePoint, and dashboards. The participant will engage in the development of data-driven decision-making projects to supplement the regional and subregional efforts. The participant will execute data processing tasks designed to integrate a wide range of data resources that include ecosystem modeling, watershed, wildlife habitat, non-fire, fire, forest, climate, trails and roads, recreation, and other feature types. Agency involvement (project oversight, mentoring, team building, etc.): The participant will work directly with the Remote Sensing Coordinator in the Southern Region, who will provide the oversight and guidance needed to successfully create the GIS and remote sensing products and services. The participant will have the opportunity to engage with a wide range of professions represented by the Forest Service and participate in staff and team meetings. The participant will have the opportunity to work with members of the field and the Geographic Technology and Application Center (GTAC) that specialize in GIS and remote sensing. Equipment will be provided to the participant location to enable the participant to create the products and services. The participant will have the opportunity to explore and use self-learning online training tools provided by the Department of Agriculture and the Geographic Technology and Application center (GTAC). Professional development & learning opportunities: (trainings, certifications, networking, etc.): The geospatial skills that the participant will learn are highly sought after in the government and private sector. The participant will gain the knowledge of using and ArcGIS software and remote sensing tools. The participant will work with resource managers to design projects with a government corporate spatial database and edit and manage data in a digital cloud environment. The participant will gain a comprehensive understanding of the complexity of pulling together different data sources into integrated products. The software used and skills developed will be of great benefit for those pursuing careers in geology/geoscience, geography, forestry, ecology, natural resource management, and other natural sciences. Leadership Development: This project is remote and entails doing multiple, complex projects concurrently. The participant will be given the opportunity to lead a small group of resource specialists to promote the use of a hazard product. The remote sensing coordinator will work with the participant to develop a plan to be executed by the participant. Presenting Project Results: The participant will present the work that they complete to resource managers. They will participate with the team and the development of SharePoint pages to outreach and promote the completed projects. The participant will be asked to present their monthly accomplishments to the Resource Information Management staff. Presentations on work accomplished to regional and national meetings will be needed. Participants would be encouraged to present their results in other relevant venues as well, such as conferences hosted by GSA and other STEM organizations, and Forest Service Minerals and Geology Management webinars, as appropriate. Physical/Natural Environment: This project will be hosted as a remote project. The project mentor is based in Atlanta, Georgia in the Eastern Time Zone. Work Environment: This project will require excellent communication and organizational skills as the project is remote. The main venue for chat and calls is through the Microsoft Teams platform. Email is through Microsoft Outlook. The RIM staff has a monthly meeting. Qualifications: The project requires a college degree with coursework in GIS. Degrees in subject areas such as geology/geoscience, geography, forestry, ecology, natural resource management, and other related subjects would be considered relevant. Experience with ArcMap or ArcPro is required for the project. Experience in Arc Python scripts, Microsoft Office Outlook, Word, and Excel is desirable. The applicant must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent legal resident (“Green Card holder”). Prior to starting this position, the participant will need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and pass a background check with either the host agency, GSA’s staffing partner Aerotek, or both. Vehicle / Driver's License Requirement (If applicable): The project will be hosted remotely. Position Dates: Spring/Summer 2022 (start date can be flexible) Position Duration: 52 weeks Hourly Wage: $15.00/hour Housing Details: The project will be remote or telework, however candidate must be in the EST or willing to modify their schedules to work within the Eastern Time Zone. 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 Renee Jacokes-Mancini Remote Sensing Coordinator 1720 Peachtree Street, NW, Suite 700 Atlanta, GA 30309-2421  770-855-3138  renee.jacokes@usda.gov Website SECONDARY CONTACT INFORMATION Doug Shipley Acting RIM Director 1720 Peachtree Street, NW, Suite 800 Atlanta, GA 30309-2421  404-227-2848  douglas.shipley@usda.gov Website