Position Title: GIS Steward – AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Gunnison, CO 81230

Application Due: Monday, April 13th

Terms of Service:

• Start Date: 06/01/2026
• End Date: 11/13/2026
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 675 Hours

Purpose:

Stewards Individual Placements (Stewards), a program of Conservation Legacy, provides individuals with AmeriCorps service and career internship 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 NPS GIS office is hosting a cohort of GIS stewards.

Curecanti National Recreation Area and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park seek a motivated GIS Steward to support park resource management, planning, and operations through geospatial data development and analysis. The steward will work closely with park staff to create, manage, and analyze spatial data that inform natural and cultural resource protection, visitor use management, and operational decision-making. This position provides hands-on experience applying GIS skills in a real-world land management setting within two unique and geologically significant National Park Service units in western Colorado.

Description of Duties:

• Develop, edit, and maintain GIS datasets in accordance with National Park Service data standards
• Create maps and visual products to support resource management, planning, interpretation, and operations
• Assist with spatial analysis related to natural resources, cultural resources, visitor use, facilities, or land management
• Support data collection efforts, including GPS field data collection and data quality assurance
• Organize, document, and update GIS metadata and project files
• Assist with integrating GIS data into reports, presentations, and planning documents
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary park staff, including resource management, maintenance, and interpretation teams
• Perform other GIS-related tasks as needed to support park priorities
  
  

Requirements:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• At least 18 years of age
• Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of elementary or 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
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.
• Enrollment in or recent graduation from an accredited college or university in GIS, geography, environmental science, natural resources, or a related field
• Working knowledge of GIS software, such as ArcGIS Pro and/or ArcGIS Online
• Basic understanding of spatial data formats, projections, and geodatabases
• Ability to follow data standards and maintain organized project documentation
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work independently as well as in a team environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with GPS data collection and fieldwork
• Familiarity with National Park Service or other land management GIS data
• Experience with spatial analysis, cartographic design, or database management
• Interest in public lands management, conservation, or natural and cultural resource protection

Applicants must also be enrolled at an institution of higher education or within two years post-graduation. Applicants who have obtained or are pursuing a GIS degree or certificate and/or with GIS work experience are preferred. Prior to starting this position, a federal government security background clearance will be required.

Our Commitment:

Conservation Legacy is 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 the hiring manager.

Time Requirements:

• Typically, this position is expected to serve 40 hours per week, but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service
• 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 an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $2,817.14
• Living Allowance of $600 per week.
• Additional Benefit of $200 per week.
• Loan forbearance if Eligible
• Interest Payments if Eligible

Evaluation and Reporting:

As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of 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 and accomplishment tracking.

Supervisor Name and Contact Information:

Program Contact information: stewardssupport@conservationlegacy.org

Service Site Contact Information: malittle@nps.gov

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 the hiring manager.