GIS Natural Resource Steward - Gateway National Recreation Area

Job Category: Individual Placement, Ameri Corps, NPS

Employee Type: Ameri Corps

Contact Information:

• Name:
  James Gasaway
• Email: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).

GIS Natural Resource Steward – Ameri Corps

July 3, 2026

• Start Date: 10/05/2026
• End Date: 1/22/2027
• Ameri Corps Slot Classification: 450-Hour Slot

Stewards Individual Placements (Stewards) is a program of Conservation Legacy that provides individuals with Ameri Corps 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 are hosting a cohort of GIS stewards.

Gateway National Recreation Area (GATE) protects over 27,000 acres of coastal ecosystems interwoven with hundreds of precontact, coastal defense, and maritime archaeological sites in New York and New Jersey. Accurate geospatial data of these sites is a fundamental component to understanding and managing cultural resources.

• Review and digitize legacy resource datasets for source accuracy and complete metadata.
• Identification and organization of current geospatial data resources.
• Update legacy data to NPS GIS Guidelines.
• Improve mobile GIS workflows in Field Maps and Survey
  123.
• Develop and document efficient data editing workflows and best practices for data creation and field collection, promoting data consistency and accuracy.
• Create and maintain standard operating guidelines (SOPs) for geospatial creation, management, access, and sharing, fostering data governance and usability.
• Engage in the NER GIS and Natural Resource communities to gain new skills and experience. There may be opportunities to assist and independently work with other GIS projects as the position progresses.
• Participate in weekly GIS team meetings with GATE staff.
• Participate in weekly cohort meetings led by NPS GIS Steward program support staff.
• Design a capstone presentation for the NPS GIS community at the position conclusion.

The Steward can teleserve within commuting distance of park headquarters; however, the Steward must be able to travel to park headquarters in Staten Island, New York for research. Travel is expected to be one week near the beginning of the position and potentially an additional week during the service term. Travel costs and per diem will be provided.

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien.
• Age 18-30 years old, or up to 35 for veteran, per Public Land Corps Act of 1993.
• High school diploma or equivalent; or agreement to obtain a high school diploma or equivalent before using the education award.
• Agrees to provide information for eligibility verification and complete a National Service Criminal History Check.

Advanced GIS skills and knowledge of ESRI ArcGIS software and field applications are required, whether gained through coursework or applied experience, including ArcGIS Pro, NPS Portal & ArcGIS Online, Field Maps, Survey 123, and Story Map. Applicants should have strong data management skills, including working with geodatabases and producing well-designed cartographic products. Experience digitizing historic and legacy datasets found in analog formats and completed coursework in biology or natural resource management are preferred but not required.

Must possess strong organizational, teamwork, and communication skills, including technical writing and presenting. A successful applicant must be self‑motivated and able to complete work with minimal supervision after initial training. Although most work will be conducted in an office or remotely, some field work to support program activities will involve traveling to remote and rugged locations. A general comfort level with such field environments is expected.

Applicants who have obtained or are pursuing a GIS degree or certificate and/or with GIS experience are preferred. A federal government security…