GIS Technician
About this Job
Maine Big Night: Amphibian Migration Monitoring is seeking an intern to assist with the development of a central database for the project and the analysis of its data to answer the following questions: 1) where are high impact areas of road mortality for amphibians in the state of Maine; and, 2) what factors predict high amphibian mortality. Work primarily focuses on management and analysis of spatial data to support the goal of reducing pressures on amphibian populations from roadways.
Activities and Description:
Maine Big Night is a community science project that occurs annually in the state of Maine every spring to catalogue amphibian migrations and responses to road mortality. Volunteers for Maine Big Night collect data on amphibian species, abundance, mortality, and environmental conditions to monitor populations, detect factors that influence mortality rates, and inform conservation projects. The project has been featured in several major media outlets, including The New York Times, The Atlantic, and Canadian Broadcasting Company. Maine Big Night, occurring since 2018, has grown exponentially and is looking to continue improving for the 2021 season by recruiting an intern to assist in multiple projects.
The intern will work on compiling relevant information to answer the following question: 1) where are high impact areas of amphibian road mortality in the state of Maine; and 2) what geographic factors predict high amphibian mortality. This dataset will serve as a centralized dataset to be used for all collaborators in the project. This will include documenting the data and creating a series of maps to support the project on various exploration processes. Also, the intern will help on supporting the team in creating tools that help the collection process during spring. These tools will be generated using ESRI products and will be linked to the central geodatabase for the project.
Additionally, the project has a variety of other tasks that the intern will have the opportunity to assist with. For example, a) gathering data on pre-existing road-culverts and subsequent migration use surveys in the spring; b) standardized road mortality surveys, and c) communicating results with participants and the public.
The intern will work with AMM Project Manager Greg LeClair and will have the opportunity to learn about grant projects, citizen science projects, amphibian ecology and monitoring, ArcGIS storymaps, and more. This internship includes the following activities:
- Collect and compile datasets for Maine Big Night that includes all layers available for this particular project. Additional sources of information may require digitizing and attribution processes.
- Structure an appropriate schema for data integration into a GIS geodatabase
- Perform a QA/QC for all datasets collected
- Develop a model for detecting high impact areas of amphibian road mortality in the state of Maine
- Additional activities may include visiting project sites to take photos, collect data, etc.
Specific outputs:
- Standardize a geodatabase that contains all spatial information
- Produce a protocol for geodatabase and metadata management
- A map identifying protection opportunities for amphibians (road-crossing / mortality)
Total hours: 137
Additional support will be provided by Dr. Jeffrey Parmelee and Dr. Marcia Moreno-Baez, both professors at UNE, the School of Biological Sciences and the School of Marine and Environmental Programs.
The majority of the work will take place remotely, except for a couple site visits which will take place throughout spring. A stipend of approximately $1500 is expected. Stipend payment will require registering with Center for Wildlife Studies (Yarmouth, ME) payroll.
For more information about The Big Night Project please visit: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bignightmaine/
Desired skills and experience:
- Pursuing a degree in Environmental Science/Studies, Biology, or related field
- Experience with GIS ESRI products (ArcGIS Pro, ArcMap, ArcGIS Online) and/or QGIS.
- Experience with managing databases in Microsoft Excel
- Basic knowledge of wildlife behavior, ecology, and wildlife habitats
- Ability to work independently
- Strong verbal and written communication
- Strong interest in wildlife conservation and wildlife research (experience with amphibians not necessary)
- Strong motivation and desire to contribute. Your actions will make a difference!
- For additional (optional) projects: a driver’s license and access to a vehicle is a must, as well as a mind for safe driving practices and willingness to collect data in conditions that may be on rainy nights in semi-cold weather.
To apply:
To apply please submit a resume and cover letter to the Handshake job posting on the Maine Big Night Project profile. Any questions about the position please reach out to Greg LeClair, Project Manager at gregory.leclair@maine.edu