POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4445
Position Title: GIS Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine
Number of positions available: 1
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 52 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 5/25/2026
End Date: 5/24/2027
AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1700 hours - this is the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve throughout the duration of their position.
BENEFITS
- Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: $ 7,395.00 upon successful completion of position
- Weekly Living Allowance: $ 600.00 per week, fixed rate
- Relocation Allowance: $ 450.00 (distributed as a one-time lump sum with first paycheck)
- Student Loan Forbearance if applicable (administered by MyAmeriCorps, directly)
- Student Loan Interest Payments if applicable (administered through MyAmeriCorps, directly)
- For 52-week positions only:
- Free Healthcare Coverage (opt in)
- Childcare Coverage (opt in)
APPLICATION TIMELINE
Preference given to applicants who submit applications before Sunday, February 15, 2026. Applications will be reviewed after the application deadline passes. Positions will close after receiving 60 complete applications, or at 11:59 p.m. EST on February 15, 2026, whichever occurs first.
KEYWORDS: coastal resilience, data management, ecosystem restoration, GIS, planning
PURPOSE
This GIS Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. In early 2024, a series of severe winter storms caused widespread damage to Acadia National Park’s coastal ecosystems, cultural resources, and infrastructure. The park is now undertaking one of the most ambitious and collaborative resource management efforts in its history—focused on restoring damaged areas, enhancing resilience, and rethinking infrastructure placement in the face of future extreme weather events.
This position directly supports that effort by providing essential GIS expertise to inform planning, environmental compliance, and restoration strategies. The participant’s projects will ensure that spatial data are accurate, accessible, and effectively used to guide decision-making. By contributing to the development of geospatial tools, maps, and data workflows, the participant will help protect sensitive habitats, cultural sites, and visitor infrastructure.
This position addresses a high-priority natural resource management challenge, fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, and offers the participant a meaningful opportunity to apply and expand their geospatial skills in service of public lands.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
This position is designed to provide meaningful, full-time contributions that build technical and professional skills in geospatial analysis, data management, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The GIS Assistant participant will play a critical role in Acadia National Park’s response to severe coastal storm damage by supporting planning, environmental compliance, and ecosystem restoration efforts.
The participant will:
(1) Manage GIS data to ensure access, accuracy, and proper documentation (metadata), including reviewing new data for completeness, format compatibility, and sensitivity.
(2) Produce cartographic products and spatial analyses to support interdisciplinary park projects, including planning and restoration. This includes collaborating with staff to understand project needs and recommending appropriate geospatial solutions.
(3) Provide technical GIS/GNSS support to park staff, including managing GNSS equipment, assisting with field data collection workflows, and staying current with NPS geospatial policies and tools.
(4) Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams including natural and cultural resource managers, planners, and restoration specialists to ensure geospatial data informs decision-making.
The participant will serve primarily at Park Headquarters in Bar Harbor, with occasional field excursions to support data collection and project implementation.
DELIVERABLES
The participant will produce a suite of geospatial products and documentation that directly support storm recovery and resource management efforts. These include:
(1) Geospatial datasets: Curated and documented GIS layers with associated metadata.
(2) Cartographic products: Maps (digital and print) for planning, compliance, and restoration projects.
(3) Web-based tools: Web maps or apps (e.g., ArcGIS Online) to support internal and external communication.
(4) Standardized SOPs: Written technical guides and established workflows for GNSS data collection using tools like Field Maps or Survey123.
(5) Final project documentation: A portfolio of completed projects including maps, data, workflows, and a summary report.
Deliverables will be reviewed and finalized in collaboration with park staff and shared with relevant stakeholders.
QUALIFICATIONS
- United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien.
- Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award
- Prior to starting the position, agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check for the employer of record, Conservation Legacy, and a separate government security background check for the host site.
- The applicant must be available to participate for the entire 52 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.
REQUIRED: - BA/BS in natural/environmental/physical sciences, geography, anthropology, or a related field with GIS coursework or certification.
- At least two years of experience using GIS in a projects or academic setting (or an MA/MS in a related field).
- Proficiency with ESRI GIS software, GNSS data collection (e.g., Trimble, Field Maps, Survey123), and cartographic principles.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
- Ability to contribute independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience designing field data collection workflows and managing geospatial databases.
- Familiarity with federal land management or environmental compliance processes.
- Interest in ecosystem restoration or interdisciplinary conservation projects.
- Initiative, adaptability, and a desire to grow professionally in a public service setting.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
PHYSICAL/NATURAL ENVIRONMENT: Acadia National Park preserves approximately 47,000 acres along the Maine coast. The park consists of portions of Mount Desert Island and Isle au Haut, the tip of the Schoodic Peninsula, and portions of 16 smaller islands. The maritime weather generally keeps summer daytime temperatures mild and nighttime temperatures cool.
TOWNS AND TRANSPORTATION: The largest town on Mount Desert Island, where the position will be located, is Bar Harbor, which has a grocery store, hospital, and other amenities. Ellsworth, the biggest town in Downeast Maine, is on the mainland, just off of Mount Desert Island. Getting around will generally require a car. Free buses are available during the summer tourist season, but not in the fall, winter, or spring. There is a bridge connecting Mount Desert Island to the mainland.
POSITION ENVIRONMENT: Most projects for the position will occur in an office setting at Park Headquarters, which is within the town limits of Bar Harbor and is where most of the park's staff are located. The participant will also occasionally accompany park staff into the field to complete field excursions associated with the participant's projects--e.g., vegetation restoration and compliance related to bat habitat and other resource concerns.
VEHICLE AND DRIVERS LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
- Applicant must have a valid driver's license to drive a government vehicle.
- A personal vehicle is REQUIRED for this position.
HOUSING
Park housing is available and will be provided at no cost to the participant.
The participant will stay in park housing on Mount Desert Island, which is where most of Acadia National Park is located. This housing will be a private bedroom with a shared kitchen, bathroom, and living space. Most likely, the participant will have roommates in the apartment. The participant should bring personal items, including toiletries, laundry supplies, bedding, and linens. Housing will be provided at no cost to the participant.
OUR COMMITMENT
Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions.
TIME REQUIREMENTS
- This position is expected to serve full time each week, but exact service schedules may vary based on project needs. Lunch breaks and days off will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service hours.
- Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.
ORIENTATION AND TRAINING
- Member will receive pertinent project and site training from host site throughout term
- Member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
- Access to free professional development webinars led by Conservation Legacy staff
EVALUATION AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of minimum AmeriCorps hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service.
Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking.
HOW TO APPLY
Apply online, all Scientists in Parks positions are listed at: https://conservation-legacy.breezy.hr/. Complete the application for this position, highlighting why you are interested in the position and how your background and experience will help you succeed in this position. Be prepared to upload your resume and unofficial transcript as part of completing the application questionnaire.
Once you begin applying for a position, the application must be completed in one sitting. You cannot save and return later to complete it. Applicants can apply for up to five Scientists in Parks positions per season. You need to complete a separate application for each position in order to be considered. You should receive a confirmation email after successfully submitting an application. Sometimes institutional email filters/settings can redirect, or block emails related to the application. We recommend watching spam, junk, and promotional email folders in case your service delivers messages there. Please visit How to Apply for additional resources and information about applying (i.e., learn what materials to have ready for applying, find a worksheet that previews application questions, etc.). Learn more about Scientists in Parks at: https://www.scientistsinparks.org/.
Stewards Individual Placements (Stewards), a program of Conservation Legacy, provides individuals with AmeriCorps service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. Participants serve with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits to provide institutional capacity, develop community relationships, and support ecosystem health. Stewards in partnership with the Scientists in Parks program will host the GIS Assistant at Acadia National Park.
Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to Scientists in Parks using the email address at the base of the home page, under “Questions? Contact Us!”
