NPS GIS History and Preservation Assistance Program
Overview:
The History and Preservation Assistance Program (HPA) provides professional expertise, consultation, policy guidance, program oversight, and technical assistance to parks and programs to protect, preserve, and share the history of historic resources in the Northeast Region. Preservation Assistance implements the NPS role in the national preservation partnership programs, working with historic properties owned by entities outside the NPS to identify, evaluate, and preserve places and stories that reflect our nation’s diverse heritage. Staff assists in applying the Secretary of the Interior’s “Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties” and conducts reviews of federal undertakings with the potential to have an adverse effect on National Historic Landmarks.
The goal of this internship is to provide operational support to HPA by making progress towards improving the accuracy of GIS data for approximately 1,100 National Historic Landmarks (NHLs). The current GIS data needs to be researched for accuracy and updated if inaccurate. The NHLs are either represented with a single point (building, site, structure, object) or districts described with polygon boundaries.
This position is eligible for remote work or telework with occasional travel. No NPS housing is available.
Successful completion of this internship will provide the intern with eligibility for the Public Land Corps (PLC) Non-Competitive Hiring Authority.
Position Responsibilities:
With support from the Cultural Resources GIS Coordinator, the GIS intern will work with HPA to review and make progress toward updating GIS data for approximately 1,100 National Historic Landmarks (NHLs) using standardized NPS geodatabases. Existing datasets include location data for cultural resources requiring the intern to use secure practices while working with some sensitive resource data. The project may include creation of spatial data from gray literature (reports, paper maps), modernization of legacy data sets (old shapefiles), work with existing NPS authoritative datasets, web and mobile GIS, improving and providing tools and applications for data editing, migrating to ArcGIS Pro, and updating technical documents. The intern will also make recommendations to HPA staff regarding best management practices, including workflows for the collection of new cultural resource data. Work will be completed using ESRI ArcGIS software providing the intern with training on NPS GIS data management practices and the opportunity to learn how high-quality data contributes to management decisions.
Qualifications:
- Advanced GIS skills and knowledge of ESRI ArcGIS software and applications are required, whether gained through coursework or applied experience (intern will most often work with ArcGIS Pro, NPS Portal & ArcGIS Online). Applicants should have strong data management skills, including working with geodatabases and producing well-designed cartographic products (static maps, web-based mapping applications, etc.).
- Must possess strong organizational, teamwork, and communication skills, including demonstrable written and oral communication skills.
- Must have the ability to effectively manage time and work independently with remote supervision.
- Preferred, but not required, is completed coursework in the fields of anthropology, history, area/ethnic studies, cartography, geography, or related areas of study. Students who are currently pursuing or have obtained a GIS degree/certificate and/or work experience in GIS are preferred.
- Work will be performed remotely. The intern will be supplied with a government-issued laptop and PIV card but must independently ensure they have access to a secure, comfortable, and safe space in which to perform their work. The intern must have access to a reliable internet connection.
- Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident and enrolled at an institution of higher education or be within two years post graduate. Prior to starting this position, a federal government security background clearance will be required.