POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4501
Position Title: GIS Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Obed Wild and Scenic River, Oneida, Tennessee
Number of positions available: 1
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 26 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 11/02/2026
End Date: 05/03/2027
AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 900 hours - this is the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve throughout the duration of their position.
BENEFITS
- Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: $ 3,697.00 upon successful completion of position (pre-tax)
- Weekly Living Allowance: $ 775.00 per week, fixed rate (pre-tax)
- Relocation Allowance: $ 450.00 (distributed as a one-time lump sum with first paycheck) (pre-tax)
- Student Loan Forbearance if applicable (administered by MyAmeriCorps, directly)
- Student Loan Interest Payments if applicable (administered through MyAmeriCorps, directly)
APPLICATION TIMELINE
Preference given to applicants who submit applications before Sunday, June 14, 2026. Applications will be reviewed after the application deadline passes. Positions will close after receiving 60 complete applications, or at 11:59 p.m. EDT on June 14, 2026, whichever occurs first.
KEYWORDS: GIS Assistant
PURPOSE
This GIS Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. The GIS program is involved with all aspects of park management. The position will provide opportunities to gain experience in a wide variety of GIS skills and to apply those skills in a wide range of projects and deliverables. The objective of this position is to enhance the quality of the existing GIS data by validating existing data and creating new data.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The member will serve for the park’s GIS program data manager and duties will include projects such as:
- The review and validation of existing datasets and associated metadata.
- Field excursions to verify the spatial accuracy of existing data and to collect new data.
- Creating new data sets and the associated metadata from remote sensing products such as Light Detection and Ranging data, (LiDAR) aerial photography, and satellite imagery.
- Heads-up digitizing and georeferencing of paper maps and imagery for use in a GIS.
- Field data collection using GNSS equipment.
- Producing map products for both NPS and public use.
DELIVERABLES
The review and validation of existing datasets and associated metadata.
- Field projects to verify the spatial accuracy of existing data and to collect new data.
- Creating new data sets and the associated metadata from remote sensing products such as Light Detection and Ranging data, (LiDAR) aerial photography, and satellite imagery.
- Heads-up digitizing and georeferencing of paper maps and imagery for use in a GIS.
- Field data collection using GNSS equipment.
- Assist in training for new GIS Users.
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 26 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Highest priority will be given to applicants seeking a degree in Geographic Information Systems, Geography or other related fields.
- Have a strong applied knowledge of ESRI GIS Software products (ArcPro, ArcGIS Online, Collector and Survey 123).
- Be able to travel on foot through rough terrain to remote project locations.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
Encompassing 125,000 acres of the Cumberland Plateau, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area protects the free-flowing Big South Fork of the Cumberland River and its tributaries. The area boasts miles of scenic gorges and sandstone bluffs, is rich with natural and historic features and has been developed to provide visitors with a wide range of outdoor recreational activities.
The GIS program is involved with all aspects of park management. The position will be a mix of office and field projects. (Approximately 70% office 30% field). Field projects will include hiking in steep terrain in all types of weather.
The distance from the housing area to the nearest grocery store is approximately 11 miles.
HOUSING
Park housing is NOT available. The participant will be responsible for finding housing in the nearby area.
Park housing may be available but is not guaranteed. If available, housing will be in a 3 or 4-bedroom dormitory with a shared bathroom and kitchen. Housing will have a common area with a large living room with a TV and a utility/laundry room with a washer and dryer. No pets are allowed. This unit is ADA compliant.
The participant must have their own transportation for use during off-duty hours to visit grocery stores and take care of other personal needs. (The distance from the housing area to the nearest grocery store is approximately 11 miles).
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.
OUR COMMITMENT
Stewards Individual Placements and Conservation Legacy are committed to the full consideration of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential job functions. Physical requirements may include periodic overnight travel, non-traditional work 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. The ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation 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!”
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 the host site throughout the 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, monthly accomplishment tracking, a mid-term report, and a final report.
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 (5) 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 Obed Wild and Scenic River.
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!”
