New England Trail GIS and Communications Assistant

Position Title: New England Trail GIS and Communications Assistant
Reports To: New England Trail Coordinator 
Dates of Employment: May 2 – November 11
Location: Western Massachusetts (Remote)
Hiring Timeline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, interviews will be held until the position is filled

The New England National Scenic Trail (NET) is a 215-mile long distance hiking trail from Long Island Sound in Connecticut to the Massachusetts-New Hampshire border, and is one of only 11 National Scenic Trails in the U.S. The route traverses classic New England landscape features across a combination of public and private land: long distance vistas with rural towns as a backdrop, agricultural lands, unfragmented forests, and large river valleys. Most of the Massachusetts section of the NET was previously known as the Metacomet-Monadnock trail, which was created through Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) volunteer efforts in the 1950s and 1960s. Today, AMC manages the NET in Massachusetts in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS) and the Connecticut Forest and Park Association, which manages the NET in Connecticut. 

The GIS and Communications Assistant will be responsible for a variety of GIS projects, including creating a Story Map for the NET using the ArcGIS Online platform. This map will take visitors to the NET website on a virtual tour of the trail, highlighting historical resources (pre- and post-colonial), ecological resources, trail maintenance projects, and other information about the trail. The Assistant will work with the NET’s AmeriCorps Community Volunteer Ambassador, and Scientist in Parks Intern, who will respectively be completing projects on Tribal history and plant phenology, to develop content for the Story Map. The Assistant will also identify and photograph scenic viewsheds along the trail and develop a database of high-quality photos for publication in the Story Map and in other communications and journalism about the trail. This viewshed visual database may be used as a starting point for NET staff or future interns to complete an NPS Visual Resource Inventory for the trail. 

This is a remote, part-time, non-exempt, 20 hour/week position beginning April 18 and ending October 28. AMC will provide a laptop for remote work.

What You’ll Do: 

• Lead the development of an ArcGIS Story Map for the trail, highlighting ecological resources, trail maintenance projects, historical resources (pre- and postcolonial), and other information about the trail, and complete other GIS projects as assigned.
• Identify and photograph scenic viewsheds along the trail in Massachusetts and develop a database of high-quality photos for use in StoryMap and future trail publications.
• Write 1-2 articles for Partnership for the National Trail System Pathways Journal 
• Assist NET staff with communications and 2022 NET Hike Challenge 
• Assist in researching grant opportunities to supplement NET base funding

The NET GIS and Communications Assistant may also work with the NET Coordinator on other activities such as trail events and contributing to NET online promotional resources.

What We’re Looking For:

• Applicant should be well-organized and able to work independently 
• At least one year of undergraduate coursework with studies in outdoor recreation, environmental studies, geography, or similar field. 
• Coursework experience in GIS and familiarity with ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online. Ability to produce basic maps and work in the ArcGIS StoryMap. 
• An interest in the outdoors and land protection
• Familiarity and knowledge of the Massachusetts Pioneer Valley area, preferred
• Personal vehicle, highly preferred 

Compensation and benefits:

Rate of Pay: $14.25/hr

30% discount on all merchandise sold at AMC facilities and in AMC catalogues

4 Free nights for you and your family/friends at AMC facilities 

Free annual AMC membership

Pro Deal discounts on equipment and gear

To Apply: 

Please include a resume and cover letter. No phone calls please.

AMC welcomes all qualified candidates to apply and we invite the full participation of all individuals currently underrepresented in the outdoor community. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals from racially and or ethnically diverse communities, individuals with disabilities, individuals from LGBTQ communities, and individuals who experience intersectionality with one or more of these identities. 

Staff will be required to show proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. The AMC will consider an exemption from the vaccine requirement if they are unable to get vaccinated due to a qualifying medical disability or a sincerely held religious objection. An accommodation or exemption from the vaccine requirement will be considered if one is available that would not pose a direct threat to others in the workplace and would not create an undue hardship for the organization.

The Appalachian Mountain Club has zero tolerance for child abuse or placing children in danger. The AMC requires all employees who work in a program or facility which serves children, disabled persons, or the elderly to have a criminal background record check performed on their name annually with employment contingent upon satisfactory results.