P2 Professional

AmeriCorps Position Description

Position Title:  GIS Technician & Climate Preparation Analyst Manager

Project Sponsor:  The Resource Innovation Group, Inc

NWSA Mission: This position is in partnership with the Northwest Service Academy (NWSA), an AmeriCorps program of ESD112. NWSA’s mission is: To preserve and restore the natural environment, and to develop community leaders through service and community partnerships. www.nwserviceacademy.org
 
Sponsor Mission: TRIG’s mission is to foster the development and application of innovative thinking and approaches to the complex causes and solutions to climate change. Our approach is grounded in the integration of whole systems thinking with the physical and social sciences, capacity building, social equity, and change management. Our projects fall under five major programs: climate preparation; climate economics; climate education, communication and behavioral change; community energy and stewardship; and climate equity and social justice. 

Project Location: Eugene, Oregon

Position Summary: This AmeriCorps position will have three main roles: 1) support and train governments and organizations in developing climate scenarios to identify local impacts; 2) incorporate data being collected locally into the scenarios; and 3) manage an online decision support tool which facilitates development of a climate change preparation plan tailored to the specific community. Downscaling support for the Umatilla, Lower Willamette, and other regions where we work will take approximately 50% of time; support for local data incorporation in the basin scenarios will take 25% of time; support for development of a decision support tool will take 25% of time. 

General Responsibilities (to include, but not limited to):
* Support incorporation of local watershed data into climate projection models for river basins.
* Support development of climate impact scenarios for river basins.
* Provide GIS training or support, as needed, for watershed councils and communities for climate change modeling and projections.
* Network with watershed council and community GIS technicians or planners to identity data and modeling needs.
* Support development of an online climate preparation decision support tool (the Climate Preparation Analyst or CPA).
* Manage CPA users and inquiries.
* Provide training as needed on CPA.
* Develop other tools/training as identified by stakeholders.
* Complete and submit all necessary TRIG, NWSA and AmeriCorps paperwork and reports in a timely manner.
* Wear an NWSA uniform and/or appropriate identifiers and required safety gear while performing service or attending official events.

Position Requirements:
* Watershed data incorporation into climate projection models
* Support the Umatilla Tribe, partners in the Lower Willamette Basin, and other
  partners with modeling of local climate projections
* Provide GIS training to partners
* Management of CPA users
* Develop and deliver training for CPA users
* U.S. citizen, national or lawful permanent resident.
* Ability to commit to the full term of service for which you are applying.
* Successfully pass a fingerprint criminal history background check provided through
 NWSA and/or Project Sponsor Agency.
* Regular and reliable attendance.
* Have not previously served two terms in an AmeriCorps*State or National program.
 Members may serve up to three terms in a National Service Program, but only two
 terms may be within an AmeriCorps*State or National program. Members are only
 eligible for an education award for their first two terms of service, regardless of the
 type of term (full or part-time) and regardless of the successful completion of that
 term.

Preferred Qualifications:
* Experience processing data and creating maps using ESRI software.
* Experience programming GIS applications in Python and/or Visual Basic.
* Working with Climate Data in NetCDF format.
* Experience with the ArchHydro data model and the NHDPlus dataset.
* Climate and/or hydrology modeling experience using observed and modeled data.
* Experience in database management.
* Experience in developing and/or delivering technical training to a diverse group of
 users.

Member Benefits Include:
* A taxable, monthly living allowance (before taxes, approximately $1,250).
* Training fund of up to $500.
* Upon successful completion of a term of service, eligible members receive an
 education award of $4,725. The education award can be used to repay qualified
 student loans, for further education in an accredited institution of higher learning,
 vocational or trade schools. The education award is taxed in the year that it is used.
* Loan forbearance (after successful completion of a term of service, AmeriCorps will
 pay the accrued interest on qualified loans, which is taxable).
* Basic medical insurance (covers members only, not dependents; vision and dental
 not included).
* Child care allowance for those who qualify.
* Opportunities for additional training in GIS/Database management
* Opportunities for expense-paid travel for workshops/training
* Opportunities to learn about climate change mitigation and adaptation

Transportation Information:
* Project site is accessible by public transportation.

Application Deadline:  August 31, 2009 NWSA Center: Lower Columbia Center
Interviews: September 15-30, 2009  Type of Position: Professional Placement (P2)
Service Dates:  October 15, 2009 - September 15, 2010

How to apply:

Step 1: Submit an interest letter and resume to Stacy Vynne svynne@uoregon.edu.  No phone calls or visits please. 

Step 2: Complete your application and send it to Margi Guilfoyle at margi@p2professional.org (All application materials can be found on the “How to Apply” page of our website)
*     Application – Complete the AmeriCorps Application. It may be submitted by mail, fax or
email
*     Two Written References – Please ask your recommenders to complete the NWSA
Reference Form. It may be submitted by mail, fax or email.
*     Certification Form – Print, sign and date the Certification Form. This document MUST
be submitted by mail or in-person to our offices at 55 SE Main, Portland OR 97214.
Questions about the position? Contact: Stacy Vynne svynne@uoregon.edu
  
General questions about P2, Northwest Service Academy, or AmeriCorps? Contact:
Margi Guilfoyle
Professional Placement Coordinator
NWSA Lower Columbia Center
55 SE Main Street, Portland, OR 97214
503-234-2383 ext 118
fax 503-232-0166
margi@p2professional.org
www.p2professional.org/blog/
www.nwserviceacademy.org
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER