GIS Research Associate (NPS, Yosemite National Park )

The Research Associate Program at GBI, in cooperation with NPS at Yosemite National Park, is recruiting one (1) GIS Research Associate to participate in GIS projects that will substantially advance Yosemite’s efforts to create ready-to-use and accurate datasets that are shared both internally and with the public.   

The GIS Research Associate will assist with updating and developing Yosemite’s public Geoportal site, coordinating geospatial activities in the park, centralizing the park’s data sets, and integrating GIS into park activities.  

Primary Responsibilities:

• Update and maintain a Hub site and Open Data group for publishing Yosemite’s public data catalog and public web applications.
• Update and edit park-wide Enterprise GIS datasets.
• Assist park staff with collecting and maintaining datasets using programs such as Survey123 and ArcGIS Online (AGOL).
• Distribute data stewardship responsibilities and permissions to park staff.

Timeline:

• October 2025 – March 2026, 22 weeks;
• Full time (40 hours/week);
• Schedule: 4-5 days per week, 8-10 hours daily. Alternate work schedules available.

Location:

Yosemite National Park - Not just a great valley, but a shrine to human foresight, the strength of granite, the power of glaciers, the persistence of life, and the tranquility of the High Sierra. First protected in 1864, Yosemite National Park is best known for its waterfalls, but within its nearly 1,200 square miles, you can find deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, a vast wilderness area, and much more… (source: https://www.nps.gov/yose/index.htm).

Yosemite National Park is world-renowned for its giant granite walls, waterfalls, sequoias, beautiful meadows and snow-capped mountains. The park encompasses nearly 750,000 acres of the central Sierra Nevada Mountains in California and is 94% designated wilderness. The elevation ranges from just under 2,000’ to just over 13,000’, and many ecosystems can be found within, including foothill chaparral, oak woodland, mixed conifer forest, subalpine meadows, and alpine fell fields. The park hosts over 1,500 plant taxa and many animals, including special status, threatened, and endangered species. Yosemite is one of the most sought after climbing and hiking destinations in the world. Many additional recreational opportunities abound including botanizing, birding, fishing, swimming, and skiing.

Compensation and Benefits:

Compensation: $28 hourly;

Benefits:

• Company-paid comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance premiums;
• $25,000 Basic Life & AD&D insurance at no cost;
• Personal leave and holidays; and
• Access to Pro Deals.

Housing: Will be provided to the selected participant at additional costs. Room in government lodging, either an apartment or house.

Per diem: $40 camping per diem provided per night in the field.

Required:

• Must provide a valid driver’s license and possess a clean driving record;
• Applicant must be a US citizen or Permanent Resident;
• Applicant must meet PLC age requirements;
• Successful applicants must complete a Department of Interior (DOI) Background Investigation (BI) or submit paperwork to National Park Service human resources indicating an active and fully adjudicated BI has already been completed prior to beginning position. If you already have a fully adjudicated BI, please let us know in your application.
• Bachelor’s degree in Geography, GIS, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or a related field;
• At least one year of applied experience using GIS in a professional or academic setting;
• Strong understanding of spatial data organization, metadata standards, and best practices for geospatial data stewardship.

Preferred:

• Proficiency with ArcGIS Online (AGOL) and Survey123 for data collection and management.
• Experience updating and maintaining Enterprise GIS datasets;
• Familiarity with Esri Hub, Open Data sites, and managing public-facing GIS content;
• Experience designing or maintaining web maps and web applications using ArcGIS Online or related tools (e.g., Experience Builder, Web AppBuilder);
• Experience training or supporting non-GIS staff in geospatial tools and workflows.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands, stand, walk, bend, and have specific vision abilities to include close and distance vision, and ability to adjust focus working with computer business equipment and other job/industry specific equipment. The noise level in the work environment is usually low.

The overall nature of the position is sedentary, requiring little physical effort and occasional light exertion. There is occasional exposure to environmental conditions such as heat, cold, and temperature changes.

How to Apply:

Please apply online through this application link by submitting an up-to-date resume, one-page cover letter that details your interest in the position, and any qualifications not fully described in your resume, contact information for three professional and/or academic references. Be sure to complete any preliminary questions prompted in the application and sign your application.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority:

This project is federally funded through the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority. Participants serving under this authority may be eligible for the PLC non-competitive hiring status and certificate. The PLC Authority requires all applicants meet the age and US Citizen requirements. Additional information regarding the PLC can be found on the GBI website under the Research Associate Programs FAQ.

Notes:

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the organization's ongoing needs.

All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Disclaimer:

Although the organization has attempted to accurately and thoroughly describe this position, GBI reserves the right to change the same, including to change, add to or subtract from the duties outlined, within the sole discretion of the organization, at any time, with or without advance notice.