GIS Intern

Founded in 1951, the Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world's toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable.  One of our core values is our commitment to diversity. Therefore, we strive for a globally diverse and culturally competent workforce. Working in 74 countries, including all 50 United States, we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit www.nature.org or follow @nature_press on Twitter.

The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, 401k or savings-plan matching for eligible employees, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond.

The Nature Conservancy is involved in a wide variety of projects in Oregon; from informing legislators on potential outcomes of policies to managing the largest portfolio of nature preserves in the state. GIS data and analyses have been important tools in crafting our strategies for more than two decades. The GIS Intern will be fully incorporated into the Oregon business unit with clearly defined roles and responsibilities. Regular guidance and feedback on all aspects of the professional experience will be given.

The GIS Intern will work in a team environment to address important conservation issues facing Oregon. Learning outcomes will include exposure to many aspects of conservation planning including development of custom GIS products for TNC staff, involvement in project planning on multi-disciplinary teams, spatial and non-spatial database design and contributing to written reports and documentation. The GIS Intern will also be expected to craft and deliver a presentation on a project they worked on during their employment.

Due to Covid-19, the GIS Intern will be required to work remotely and must have a secure internet connection capable of supporting video conferencing and large data transfers.

This is a 15 -20 hour per week internship that starts January 2021 and ends June 2021; with flexibility on scheduled days

The Oregon chapter of The Nature Conservancy makes extensive use of Geographic Information Systems as a platform for conservation planning, communications and scientific analysis. Our work is oriented around teams which each focus on a specific habitat type including a forest team, a marine/estuaries team, a freshwater team and a deserts team. Climate change mitigation and adaptation are overarching goals across all our projects. The GIS Intern will assist these teams by creating, editing and documenting spatial data, editing non-spatial databases and performing analyses under the supervision of senior GIS analysts. Potential projects include:

Updates to Oregon’s Groundwater Dependent Ecosystem Atlas;

• Developing data to support spatial action mapping across the state;
• Analyses to support our upcoming 5-year strategic plan.

• Help draft (and agree to) a ‘Workplan agreement’ that lays out the specifics of the working arrangement and goals of the Intern.
• Agree on project deliverables and timelines.
• Engage constructively in team meetings and strive for excellence in all deliverables.
• Work collaboratively with TNC GIS analysts to provide spatial information and other data products to planning teams.

• High school diploma, GED or equivalent and 6 months of related experience.
• Experience with basic computer software including Microsoft Windows.
• Experience with ESRI GIS software.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• Enrolled in an undergraduate program, graduate program, or a recent graduate (2017, 2018, 2019) of Biology, Environmental Studies, Hydrogeology, Geology, Geography, Computer Science or related field with significant coursework in GIS.
• Familiarity with ArcGIS Pro.
• Python or R scripting abilities.
• Ability to follow instructions from colleagues/coworkers/team members.
• Ability to work in a team environment.