ACE-National Trail Inventory Data Collection Technician, EPIC FWS Division

American Conservation Experience (ACE) is a dynamic non-profit organization dedicated to providing rewarding environmental service opportunities that harness the idealism and energy of an emerging labor force to help restore America's public lands.  ACE's Emerging Professionals in Conservation (EPIC) program has a national reputation for providing exceptional training and support to enable individuals to safely and economically implement technically complex and physically demanding conservation projects for the National Park Service, the US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, US Fish and Wildlife and numerous state and local land management partners.

Title:  ACE FWS National Trail Inventory Data Collection Technician, EPIC

Location: Remote but based out of the ACE office in Salt Lake City, UT. 

Department/Division: EPIC, US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)

Status: Regular, Full-Time, Salaried (Exempt)

Schedule/Hours:  Flexible schedule (Monday-Friday); some evening and weekend hours may be occasionally required

Compensation: Full-Time, 40 hours/week within a flexible schedule. Competitive pay with a benefits package that includes health, dental, vision and supplemental insurance, paid vacation, sick leave, designated holidays and 401k retirement for qualified employees

Reports to: EPIC FWS Trail Inventory Program Project Manager

Start Date: February 14, 2021

Position Summary:  The FWS National Trail Inventory Data Collection Technician will support the data collection, processing, and delivery of a variety of spatial and descriptive information of existing trails systems on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) lands across the U.S. The Technician will assist ACE and the FWS in the identification of trails to be inventoried at 250 FWS stations and provide day-to-day coordination and oversight of trail inventory field teams during the field season.

Program Background and Objectives: The 2018-2021 FWS 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 incumbents are part of an interdisciplinary team charged with directing the flow of spatial and tabular data from trail reconciliation calls, to the field, and back to the FWS for approximately 250 stations.

This opportunity is intended for committed emerging professionals with GIS and trails inventory background/experience. Those with a background or experience in these disciplines are encouraged to apply.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

The Technician will support ACE and the FWS National Trails Program in a variety of project-specific tasks including:

• Create Trail ID Sheets by gathering trail related data from a variety of sources including Service Asset Maintenance Management System (SAMMS), Cycle 2 trails inventory, Cycle 5 road inventory, refuge/hatchery websites, and the FWS national trails website.
• Participate in Trails ID calls. As needed, assist with operating web maps during Trail ID calls and digitize/edit/delete trail features with direction from station staff, Regional Transportation Coordinators, and HQ to arrive at the best approximation of trail geometry for teams to use during site visits.
• Aid in processes to recruit, interview, select, and hire new team members.
• Serve as assistant to the Trails Inventory Logistics Coordinator in logistical planning including sharing travel and lodging plans with team members.
• Communicate with refuge staff, logistics coordinator, and team members to coordinate arrival time and check in at each station.
• Prepare team members for project site visits by sharing Assigned Trail Lists, ensuring Trail Inventory Web Map layers are updated with approximate trail lines for each station, creating spatial bookmarks, and reporting bugs or missing information.
• Lead team members in conducting site visits in a safe, positive, and professional manner.
• Ensure trail inventory data is uploaded successfully and conduct initial QA/QC of raw field data.
• Identify and discuss trail inventory questions with Project Manager. Participate in discussion for questions elevated to agency staff.
• During the field season, conduct weekly meetings with team members to identify issues, concerns, and successes.
• Provide directions to team members for vehicle management and communicate vehicle issues and maintenance needs to the Logistics Coordinator.
• Coordinate with Project Manager and Logistics Coordinator on equipment purchases and delivery to teams. Update equipment inventory as needed.
• Consult with Project Manager and Recruitment and Member Manager (Americorps) regarding team member time off requests.
• Share updates and photographs to report team progress.
• Conduct field level outreach for FWS Division.
• Log and track project expenses.
• Support project tracking efforts and data entry, as needed.

Other:

• Represent ACE's philosophy and values to a wide range of audiences including members, programmatic staff, management and public.
• Foster a culture and environment that positions ACE for success and ensures that ACE is the program of choice for partners, members and staff.
• Adhere to ACE safety policies and procedures; Reports any unsafe or harmful conditions, incidents and/or accidents immediately.
• Other related duties as assigned; Responsibilities and tasks outlined are not exhaustive and may change as determined by ACE.

Required Experience and Qualifications:

• BA/BS degree in natural or cultural resource management, or related field; or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience to support our nation's emerging professional resource management workforce and project partners. Degrees and experience in other fields will be considered. 
• Practical knowledge of or experience with similar corps-oriented, non-profit organizations, land-based federal agencies such as the Department of Interior or other federal or state agencies.
• Willingness and ability to communicate and coordinate internally within ACE and with external stakeholders and partners
• Strong skills in interpersonal communication, public speaking, organization, management, conflict resolution and motivating others.
• Outstanding organizational and time management skills with the ability to maintain and effectively support a complex array of projects .
• Computer skills required including knowledge of Excel and professional email etiquette. Experience with ESRI ArcGIS Pro, Collector, and Survey123 desired.
• Ability to function as an adaptable team member displaying professional-level proficiencies in both technical and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to receive and provide constructive feedback.
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Ability to understand and follow ACE systems and processes.
• Proven ability to work independently and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
• Willingness to travel and work occasional weekends. 

Other Requirements:

• Must be authorized to work in the U.S.
• Valid driver's license and an insurable driving record
• Proficient in English
• Ability to pass a federal criminal background check
• Willing to abide by ACE Policy and Federal Drug Free workplace policies and laws. ACE reserves the right to drug test at any time.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions  

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talks and hears. Manual dexterity required for use of computer keyboard/mouse and other routine office equipment. May occasionally be required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently lifts up to 10 lbs., occasionally lifts up to 25 pounds.
• Environmental: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position requires domestic travel. 

To Apply: 

Please navigate to the ACE website: https://usaconservationstaff.applicantpool.com/jobs/ to fill out an application. You must include a resume, one-page cover letter and three professional references. Qualified applicants will be contacted by email to arrange an interview. Applicants must follow all application instructions in order to be considered for this opportunity. Please note that this position may close at any time. 

American Conservation Experience is an equal opportunity employer. Every qualified employee or applicant has the same opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, genetics or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law. ACE supports diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage all individuals to apply, including those from diverse and underrepresented communities.

Current Openings for ACE National Trail Inventory Data Collection Technician, EPIC FWS Division Jobs at Mellon Fellowships