ACE Epic USFWS SLC: National Trails Inventory Coordinator
Summary: American Conservation Experience, a Nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), is seeking a fellow to lead the complex coordination of field teams collecting a variety of information of existing trails systems on USFWS lands across the U.S., at an estimated 350 stations total.
The 2018-2021 USFWS Trails Inventory Program is part of an ongoing, nationwide effort to compile a comprehensive and accurate trail and trail asset database for all trails and trail assets located on Service lands so that the agency can make informed management and maintenance decisions regarding trail systems in the future. This is required by Title USC 23, which requires the Service and other Federal Land Management Agencies to inventory all public use transportation assets under their purview. Trails are considered part of those transportation assets.
The incumbent will be part of an interdisciplinary team charged with the generation of an estimated 350 trail inventory reports from a geodatabase supplied by the USFWS. The recipient will utilize an existing Service report module to generate the trail inventory reports. The reports will be submitted to the Service for review and acceptance.
This opportunity is intended for committed young professionals with GIS, trails inventory, trail maintenance standards, and management of complex spatial data background/experience. Those with an undergraduate degree, background or experience in these disciplines are encouraged to apply.
Start Date: February 2019 (Tentative)
End Date: Approximately 121 weeks from the start date
Location: This position will be based out of the ACE's Salt Lake City, Utah Office
Project Website: To learn more about ACE EPIC Internship Program, please visit: www.usaconservation.org.
Compensation: The ACE Fellow will contribute ~40 hours/week and receive a living allowance of $800/week paid out biweekly for food, housing, and incidental living expenses. Finding housing is the responsibility of the fellow (ACE will assist by providing local knowledge of rental market, where possible).
Position Description: Working collaboratively with field-based Project Leaders and Data Collection Interns teams, the Trails Coordinator will facilitate the correct flow of technical data from the field into succinct quantitative data for analysis. Specific duties will include:
With guidance from experienced USFWS Transportation Staff, assist with extensive data reconciliation of current trail data working directly with the USFWS Asset Maintenance and Management System (SAMMS).
Assist with recruitment and training of field-based Project Leaders and Data Collection Interns, which includes interviewing, discernment of relevant skills, as well as the entire enrollment process.
Supervise 2 field-based Project Leaders managing two separate crews of Data Collection interns (10 interns each) to complete in-person trail data collection. Coordinate inventory crews in conducting site visits to complete Trails Data Collection for all USFWS Units reporting trail use. This includes being available on a non-traditional schedule, including nights and weekends.
Manage logistically challenging data collection operations involving scheduling and tracking the dispersal of Trails Crew Project Leaders and interns throughout the U.S. including arranging all forms of transportation, lodging, meals, vehicle rentals, housing, site visits, uniforms, specialized equipment purchases etc., and doing so with minimal oversight while being adaptive.
Coordinate with ACE Leadership Staff, Trails Data Manager, Trails Crew Project Leaders, Service Regional Transportation Coordinators, Facility Management Coordinators, and refuge managers to arrange data collection and to ensure data is accurate and delivers in the desired format by previously determined deadlines.
Work with SAMMS and Service GIS staff to automate entering GIS and tabular data into their SAMMS to capture the financial values and the deficiencies.
Collect trail inventory data with the Service for an estimated 175 stations per year (350 total).
Assist Data Manager in conducting all necessary data compiling, processing, and validation.
Work with the Data Manager to submit the processed, clean trails geodatabase to USFWS no later than 15 business days after each station has collected the required data.
Work with USFWS staff to post clean geodatabase and related data on the USFWS SharePoint site.
Work with Trails Data Manager and USFWS staff to make all necessary revisions to geodatabases and submit all field datasets by September 30, 2021.
Participate in the development of protocols used to conduct Trails Data Collection on USFWS Units.
QA/QC data and enter data into FWS systems to be shared with Federal Highways Administration.
Participate in data wrap up, project finalization and reporting findings as required.
Qualifications:
Required:
- This opportunity is intended for committed young professionals with background/experience in GIS, trails inventory, and management of spatial data. Those with an undergraduate degree, background or experience in these disciplines are encouraged to apply.
- Excellent data organizational skills and superb attention to detail (e.g., electronic file management).
- Skilled understanding of the technical approach of collection standards for data elements and ability to reconcile this data with an eye for quality control and presentation.
- Ability to work collaboratively with GIS and Maximo database administrators to effectively incorporate trail data elements.
- Excellent personnel management and team coordination skills including the complex management of complex logistics for multiple teams at several locations simultaneously.
- Fellowship is available to US Citizens and Permanent Residents only.
- Fellow must be between the age of 18 and 30 (up to 35 for military veterans).
- A valid driver's license, clean driving record, and ability to provide documentation; a personal vehicle is not required. Must be 21 to operate an ACE vehicle.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to think critically and brainstorm creative solutions.
- Ability and willingness to undergo a Federal criminal background check.
- Experience and/or knowledge in the mission of the USFWS and other federal land management agencies.
- Strong desire to enter the public service field.
- Knowledge of the system of lands and waters managed by the USFWS, including the different regions.
- Ability to work effectively either in office or field setting on complex tasks.
The fellow must be willing to represent ACE and the USFWS in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner. ACE reserves the right to require drug testing.
To Apply: Please submit a resume and cover letter along with 3 professional references.
NOTE: Early consideration will be given as applications are received. If you have any questions regarding this position, please feel free to contact ACE EPIC USFWS Recruitment & Member Manager, Melissa Early at (801) 573-8984 or mearly@usaconservation.org or Kevin Sloan, National Director, USFWS Division at (385) 226-7939 or ksloan@usaconservation.org
American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, ex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.