GIS and Cartography Support Members, Midwest Regional Office

Summary
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking 4 Member(s) to contribute to GIS and cartography projects under the mentorship of U.S. Fish and Wildlife (USFWS) Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: January 2026 (flexible)
Estimated End Date: January (with possibility of extension)
*a 52 week minimum commitment is required, approximately 2080 hours*

Location Details/Description:  Midwest Regional Office -Bloomington, MN

The Midwest Region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provides leadership and administrative support for wildlife conservation efforts across Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin. It coordinates programs related to ecological services, refuges, fisheries, migratory birds, land acquisition and management, ensuring consistent delivery of the agency’s conservation mission throughout the Midwest.

For more information about the midwest region, please visit the FWS website.

Position Overview: The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. This position will help FWS realize that mission at the midwest regional office.

Members will support cartographers and other USFWS staff with the creation, management, and analysis of geospatial data through the use of GIS, remote sensing, and cartographic techniques. It involves working with staff and producing accurate maps, maintaining geospatial databases, and collaborating with technical staff to support a wide range of spatial data needs and field operations.

Specific duties include: 

• Convert historical and contemporary spatial records into digital geodatabases.
• Scan, georeference, and digitize maps, imagery, and other geospatial source materials.
• Delineate and reconcile geographic features and boundaries using GIS tools.
• Conduct quality control and quality assurance on geospatial datasets.
• Produce digital and hardcopy maps for technical, management, and field-use audiences.
• Collect spatial and environmental data using standardized field and GIS procedures.
• Manage, store, and organize spatial and field data within databases or spreadsheet systems.
• Create cartographic products for field operations, presentations, and publications.
• Communicate GIS, remote sensing, and cartographic concepts to colleagues and technical partners.
• Maintain effective working relationships with project leads, management, and technical staff.
• Perform GIS data creation, editing, and attribute management to support cartographic workflows.

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Schedule:Duties will typically be carried out between 8:00am and 4:30pm Central, Monday - Friday, typically 5 days/week (5/8s). Work hours may vary. Bi-weekly totals should not exceed 80 hours. A flexible work schedule may be required, which could involve work performed outside of normal work hours including on weekends and/or holidays. Time off may be granted and requests should be directed to ACE and the FWS for approval.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $1030/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service and 640 hours of service. If the duration of a PLC-eligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service (~16 weeks), the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC-eligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general eligibility information on our website.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or FWS.

Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes office attire, boots, socks, pants, outerwear, personal office supplies, etc., and must be approved by ACE staff prior to purchase. 

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support. Specific training may include broader Service requirements along with GIS and cartography skills such as additional mapping applications, data management standards, and enhanced imagery or remote-sensing interpretation.

Qualifications 

Required:

• Members must be authorized to work in the United States. ACE does not provide sponsorship for employment visas. 
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner. 
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request). Members must be 21+ to drive due to ACE’s insurance and liability requirements.
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks 
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation. 
• Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website. 

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold a minimum of a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as ArcGIS Online, ArcPro, geospatial data management, remote sensing.
• Ability and willingness to think critically and problem solve.
• Good organizational skills (documenting processes, data management, and file management).
• Good communication skills (ability to summarize complex geospatial information orally and in writing, ability to effectively communicate with staff and partners from an interdisciplinary background and with different levels of management experience). 
• Proficiency in ArcPro and AGOL to create and maintain GIS data in accordance with federal requirements.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions: 

• Physical Demands: Manual dexterity required for use of computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus. 
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 5 lbs., ability to move up to 10 pounds.
• Environmental: Mainly indoor, office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position may require domestic travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards:  The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the FWS or ACE.  Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the FWS. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the FWS, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it.  Strict adherence to FWS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.