GIS and Invasive Species Internship

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is seeking one member to contribute to GIS and Invasive Species removal projects alongside The National Park Service (NPS) Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: January 2025

Estimated End Date: Late March/early April 2025

*a 12-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, San Antonio, TX

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park was established to preserve the largest collection of Spanish colonial resources, buildings, ruins, and artifacts existing in the United States. The park consists of approximately 1,000 acres of land and contains 12 cultural resource sites which clearly illustrate the life and legacy of the 18th Century Spanish frontier in Texas. The park combines urban and rural settings and cultural and natural resources and offers outdoor recreational activities like hiking, biking, and picnicking.

All five missions in San Antonio, Texas, including Mission Valero (the Alamo) are a single UNESCO World Heritage Site, the San Antonio Missions World Heritage Site. Four of the five (Mission Concepción, Mission San José, Mission San Juan, and Mission Espada) comprise San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. Together they are the most complete and intact group of Spanish Colonial mission complexes in the world. Through these mission communities, the Spanish asserted political, religious, and cultural influence on its newly claimed territories. With labor recruited from Indigenous South Texans, the Spanish built these five missions on the northern frontier of New Spain. All four missions within the park are active parishes and part of the San Antonio Archdiocese under the name of Las Misiones.

For more information about San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, please visit the NPS website.

Position Overview:

The purpose of this internship is to expose the ACE member to natural resource management practices at an urban unit of the National Park Service (NPS). The primary emphasis of their work will focus on riparian habitat restoration, utilizing herbicide treatments and the physical removal of exotic plant species. The member will spend a portion of their time assisting the Park Biologist with developing plans and methods for the eradication and removal of various exotic plant species. This will include reviewing and analyzing the findings of the exotic botanical survey report, defining areas of high priority, and developing operating procedures for the chemical or physical removal of each exotic species discovered. This will also entail researching aquatic herbicides in coordination with the Park Biologist and setting up test plots to assess the efficacy of different herbicides in removing invasive species from a historically significant waterway.

The member will also assist the Park Biologist in targeted herbicide treatments in areas of high natural resource sensitivity. The member will assist with the development of a geospatial data collection operating procedure for collecting metadata regarding the locations of invasive species. They will also continue surveying sections of the park and recording locations of invasive species. During targeted treatments, the member will be tasked with mapping and documenting treatment efforts for future planning. This information will be used for Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) reporting and documentation in support of regional Invasive Plant Management Team efforts.

A portion of the member's time will also be spent documenting their experience and developing outreach and education materials related to the importance of riparian ecosystems and the value of invasive plant treatments within the broader field of natural resource management. This portion of the internship could include drafting social media posts for the park's accounts, assisting with the development of natural resource content for the park website, and participating in a park outreach event.

Additionally, the member will be expected to assist with high-priority park operations as they arise. For example, the park often hosts large-scale events that require support from the natural resource program, such as integrated pest management actions.

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The member can expect to spend approximately 70% of their time on office work and 30% on field work.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $1000/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service and 640 hours of service. If the duration of a PLC-eligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service (~16 weeks), the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC-eligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general eligibility information on our website.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or NPS.

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support. Specific training in herbicide usage will be provided.

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.S. government contracts
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.
• Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a bachelor's degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) (Geography, Cartography, or Geoscience), Natural Resources, Environmental Sciences, Biology, or other related fields.
• Prior experience with ArcGIS and spreadsheets/databases is strongly preferred, specifically with regards to data editing, map generation and construction.
• Ability and willingness to work outdoors for extensive periods of time in multiple weather conditions, particularly high heat, carrying equipment in excess of 25 lbs (backpack sprayer).
• Deep interest in NPS, mapping software, and invasive species management.

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, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. 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 moves up to 25-40 lbs., ability to move up to 50 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. Mainly indoor, office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position does not require unique travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the NPS or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the NPS. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the NPS, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to NPS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to ACE's online application page for this position on our website.Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact ACE EPIC NPS Western Member Manager, Sabrina Caruso (email found under Staff Directory).

ACE values an inclusive workforce - if you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications, we want to hear from you!

ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information when you are hired to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

EEO: Employment with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment, hire, training, transfer, promotion, compensation, demotion, termination, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information (including of a family member), veteran or military status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.