[PCA] JOB: NatureServe (Arlington, VA)

[Olivia Kwong]

There are a few positions open at NatureServe's international headquarters
in Arlington, VA.  The job titles and short descriptions are below.  Most
of these are GIS related.  For more detailed information on these
positions and others, go to http://www.natureserve.org/aboutUs/jobs.jsp

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JOB TITLE: Geospatial Systems Specialist

The Geospatial Systems Specialist will help support the development of
NatureServe’s information technology strategy by serving as a technical
advisor to IT managers, analysts and technical staff developing and
implementing enterprise and project level GIS-based solutions. This
position requires the ability to work in a matrix environment, supporting
multiple project teams concurrently. It is the goal of the Information
Division team to design and develop data management and delivery
applications that are easy for people to understand, use, and manage
biodiversity information.

Occasional travel may be required. The Geospatial Systems Specialist
reports to the Manager of User Support and GIS Services and has no
supervisory responsibilities.

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JOB TITLE: GIS Application Support Specialist

The Support Specialist will be responsible for providing installation and
end-user support services on NatureServe’s two advanced geographic
information systems-based software applications, NatureServe Vista and
Biotics 4.

VISTA: Vista is a custom desktop GIS application implemented as an
extension of ESRI’s ArcMap platform with Spatial Analyst. Vista is
designed to help planners, conservation groups, and local communities to
better integrate biodiversity information into their land-use and
conservation planning processes.
http://www.natureserve.org/prodServices/vista.jsp.

BIOTICS 4: Biotics 4 is NatureServe’s tool for managing biodiversity
information. The custom application, (
http://www.natureserve.org/prodServices/biotics.jsp), was developed by
NatureServe for deployment across the international network of Natural
Heritage Programs and Conservation Data Centers.

Responsibilities include providing software configuration and installation
support, end user support, via phone, email and online helpdesk, and user
training. The Specialist will be required to assist in the development of
user documentation, NatureServe's online support knowledge base, software
tutorials and other written material for Vista and Biotics end-users, and
to help test any new software maintenance releases or upgrades.

The GIS Application Support Specialist will be part of a team of support
specialists, system analysts and software engineers. The position will
also work closely with end users who include data managers, botanists,
zoologists, and ecologists and land use and conservation planners. The
position may require some travel within North America, Latin America and
the Caribbean.

The Application Support Specialist is supervised by the Manager of User
Support and GIS Services and supervises no staff.

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JOB TITLE: Ecologist/GIS Analyst

The GIS Analyst/Ecologist will support spatial data development,
management, and analysis needs of NatureServe projects. His/her initial
primary responsibility will be to serve on various project teams,
providing GIS and conservation science support to Ecology, Zoology,
Botany, Data Management, and Conservation Planning staff of the
NatureServe Science Division and collaborators. This support will come in
the form of project design and implementation for ecosystem mapping and
modeling, species habitat and range mapping, conservation assessments and
planning, and spatial data management. The GIS Analyst/Ecologist must be
capable of both determining optimal approaches to project design and
implementing those recommendations. Developing consistent methodologies,
while adapting projects to meet local requirements, will be a critical
aspect of this position. Utilizing datasets of varied sources and formats
while maintaining the scientific integrity of the analysis will be an
important aspect of the Analyst/Ecologist role.

The GIS Analyst/Ecologist will also be responsible for providing support
to ongoing development NatureServe’s two advanced geographic information
systems-based software applications, NatureServe Vista and Biotics 4.

VISTA: Vista is a custom desktop GIS application implemented as an
extension of ESRI’s ArcMap platform with Spatial Analyst. Vista is
designed to help planners, conservation groups, and local communities to
better integrate biodiversity information into their land-use and
conservation planning processes.
http://www.natureserve.org/prodServices/vista.jsp.

BIOTICS 4: Biotics 4 is NatureServe’s tool for managing biodiversity
information. The custom application, (
http://www.natureserve.org/prodServices/biotics.jsp), was developed by
NatureServe for deployment across the international network of Natural
Heritage Programs and Conservation Data Centers.

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JOB TITLE: Project Manager/Regional Vegetation Ecologist – Appalachian
Trail

The Project Manager/Regional Vegetation Ecologist is responsible for
overseeing the development of vegetation classifications and mapping
products for the Appalachian Trail and for working with the Senior
Regional Ecologists in Boston and Durham to develop the National
Vegetation Classification (NVC). There are three main aspects of the
position:

Project management: Identifies and recruits subcontractors to conduct
field work not covered by the heritage programs in the Appalachian Trail.
Coordinates the work of the Natural Heritage Programs and the mapping
subcontractors to foster sufficient communication between mappers and
field ecologists so that both activities occur in concert. Works with the
Director of Science Operations to manage the project budget, develop
subcontracts with Heritage Programs and other organizations, and oversees
all other necessary administrative tasks to complete the work in an
efficient and timely manner. This position is responsible for the assembly
of all final products and their delivery to the National Park Service.

Mapping: Assesses all mapping products and metadata to ensure that
Vegetation Mapping Program standards are met.

Classification: Works with all team members and the NatureServe Vegetation
Mapping Program National Coordinator to ensure that collection of
vegetation plot data, vegetation descriptions, and accuracy assessments
meet the standards of the USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program. The
ecologist trains contractors in field methods, and supplements field data
by collecting additional plot data as needed.