Position Title: GIS Cultural Resource Steward – AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Saguaro National Park, 3693 S. Old Spanish Trail, Tucson, AZ 85730

Application Due: July 3, 2026

Terms of Service:

• Start Date: 10/12/2026
• End Date: 04/02/2027
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 900-Hour Slot

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.

Saguaro National Park is located outside of the city of Tucson, AZ. The park protects its namesake, our nation's largest species of cacti, the giant saguaro, and its numerous cultural and historic resources. The focus of this project will be on cultural resources. Accurate geospatial data remains a fundamental component to understanding these. Examining resources in a geographic context allows Cultural Resource Specialists to study the interaction of those resources and to identify larger trends across landscapes. Using technological tools such as geospatial data to better manage and protect our cultural resources is critical. With the implementation of such systems, however, comes the need for improved data management, which in turn necessitates the development of standardized elements to facilitate data sharing and dissemination. Park housing is not provided.

Description of Duties:

This position will serve with the park’s GIS Specialists and Cultural Resource staff to:

• The GIS Steward will serve with the park’s GIS Specialist and Archaeologist, with support from other NPS GIS and cultural resource experts. The project will include review and continued modernization of legacy data sets and developing tools and applications for data creation, editing and update.
  • Populating the site-specific information into the existing GIS data
  • Create Standard Operating Procedures and tutorials for managing park cultural resources GIS data including field mapping, updating the master data, metadata procedures, maintaining online maps, etc.
  • Assist with organization of other cultural resources spatial and non-spatial data
  • Assist with other park projects to be identified based on park needs and on Steward interests, skills, and goal.
  • Service will occur both individually and in a team setting.
    
    

Requirements:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• Applicants must be between ages of 18-30 years old, or up to 35 for veteran, based on Public Land Corps Act of 1993 authorizing this AmeriCorps opportunity.
• 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

A successful candidate will have a strong foundation in GIS and data management practices and proficiency using Esri desktop software and data manipulation geo-processes and tools. Knowledge of geodatabase design principles and experience with spatial data standards and metadata are preferred. This position requires attention to detail, effective communication skills, and the ability to take initiative and work independently, while also being supported by subject matter experts as needed. Planned service will be conducted in a climate-controlled office. Completed coursework in anthropology, archeology, and history is preferred.

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 $2,817.14
• Living Allowance of $600 per week.
• Additional Benefit of $280per week.

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: James Gasaway, jgasaway@conservationlegacy.org

Service Site Contact Information: Kara O’Brien, kara_obrien@nps.gov, (520) 733-5193

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.