Position Title: GIS Cultural Resources and Web Mapping Steward – AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Ice Age Trail, 8075 Old Sauk Pass Road, Cross Plains, WI 53528

Terms of Service:

• Start Date: 06/01/2026
• End Date: 9/18/2026
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 450 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.

The Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IATR), established in 1980, spans over 1,200 miles across 30 counties in Wisconsin, interpreting some of the world’s most renowned glacial landscapes. The trail follows the terminal moraine left by glaciers and serves as a living classroom for geology, ecology, and cultural history. The trail is managed through partnerships with the Ice Age Trail Alliance (IATA) and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), emphasizing education, connection, and interpretation.

The proposed project, “Geospatial Interpretation of IATR Geologic Features & Relationship to Native Americans,” aims to unify geological interpretation with the stories of 18 Native American tribes whose ancestral lands intersect the trail.

Position goals should align with these objectives:

• Support Interpretation
• • Assist in developing content that integrates tribal oral and written histories and cultural connections to geologic features, trails, vegetation, and glacial features.
  • Ensure interpretation demonstrates the connection between the terminal moraine/geologic/glacial and trail features with Native Americans, specifically identifying how features may have been used for navigation
• Contribute to Geospatial Story Map Development
• • Position will be critical in developing preliminary overview of potential features and identifying existing resources and compiling them into a geospatial format
  • Create interactive maps illustrating significant geologic and glacial formations and tribal narratives
  • Help design QR code-enabled trail signage for on-site and remote access that supports the intent of the interpretation and supports education on the trail
• Enhance Accessibility and Education
• • Ensure materials meet 508 compliance standards for universal accessibility.
  • Participate in the future develop educational resources for classrooms, visitor centers, and online platforms.

Description of Duties:

Steward will be critical to the hands-on service required to combine geologic, glacial, cultural, and tribal history into a geospatial format to create an educational and interpretive tool that can be used both on the ground and accessed online.

1. Research and Content Development

· Compile and synthesize geological data on significant features along the trail.

· Document cultural and historical connections shared by Native American tribes.

2. Geospatial Story Map Creation

· Design and Create the interactive map, determine how to best geospatially represent this interpretation

· Develop layers that illustrate glacial processes and cultural narratives.

3. Interpretive Media and Accessibility

· Participate in community engagement efforts to broaden audience reach.

· Create plan for how QR code-enabled signage for trail locations could benefit visitors and support interpretation and education along the trail

· Ensure all digital content meets 508 Compliance standards

4. Evaluation and Quality Assurance

· Assist in testing the story map for usability and accuracy.

· Incorporate feedback from subject matter experts and tribal representatives.

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.

Preferred Qualifications

· Academic Background

• Coursework or degree in Geology, Geography, Environmental Science, Anthropology, Archaeology, or Cultural Studies.

• Familiarity with Native American history and cultural heritage is highly desirable.

· Technical Skills

• Basic to intermediate proficiency in GIS software (e.g., ArcGIS, StoryMaps) for geospatial interpretation.

• Ability to work with digital media tools for creating interpretive content.

· Research and Analytical Skills

• Strong ability to conduct research, synthesize information, and document findings clearly.

• Experience in data collection and interpretation, especially related to cultural or natural resources.

· Communication and Collaboration

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for drafting interpretive content and engaging with stakeholders.

• Ability to serve collaboratively with others

• Awareness of 508 compliance standards and applicable best practices for creating educational materials.

• Interest in interpretive media development for varied audiences.

· Additional Qualifications

• Detail-oriented, organized, and adaptable.

• Passion for public lands, cultural resource protection, and education.

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 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 $1,956.35
• 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: kfrauen@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.