GIS and Physical Monitoring Intern
Golden Gate National Parks, Marin Headlands
Part Time, Spring Semester 2013 (with potential for Summer Extension)
Available only to students currently enrolled at SF State and CCSF
Overview
The Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) is a destination for both locals and international
visitors with its sweeping vistas, immense biological diversity, and unique cultural resources. With over
15 million visitors annually and over 80,000 acres of land, the GGNRA is the largest urban national park
in the country.
Located at the mouth of the Redwood Creek watershed in the community of Muir Beach, the Golden
Gate National Park Conservancy (GGNPC) and GGNRA initiated an exciting wetland and creek restoration
project that is slowly reversing the habitat impacts of past agriculture, recreation and construction
activities. These past actions severely disrupted natural hydrological and geomorphic processes and
resulted in a confined channel that was disconnected from its floodplain. Recent restoration actions
have included rerouting the creek into its historic channel, grading to connect the floodplain, removal of
a levee road, and removal of a portion of the parking lot. Additionally, a new pedestrian bridge was
installed which spans the entire floodplain. The restoration activities were to benefit three federallylisted endangered and threatened species including coho salmon, and steelhead trout. Both GGNPC and
GGNRA are committed to monitoring the site to determine if restoration actions have resulted in the
expected changes to natural processes and morphological features. Towards that goal, the park is
planning substantial physical monitoring to characterize geomorphic changes at the site.
Position Overview
Are you excited to learn more about creek and wetland restoration? Would you like to apply your GIS
AutoCAD or related skills to evaluating geomorphic change?
We are looking for a GIS and Physical Monitoring Intern who is interested in applying their skills to
evaluating geomorphic responses to creek and floodplain restoration. The position would assist with
conducting topographic surveys, generating Digital Elevation Models (DEM), and conducting volume
calculations to evaluate change.
Working with NPS natural resource staff and GIS specialists, the intern would assist with physical
monitoring duties and data analysis needed to evaluate the success of the Redwood Creek Restoration
project at Muir Beach. The position is expected to be 40% field and 60% office. It would be based in the
Marin Headlands at the Natural Resource Program offices in Fort Cronkhite (Bldg 1061).
Description of Duties
 Assist in physical monitoring activities to assess success of Muir Beach restoration
o Assist with topographic surveying of restored creek and floodplain of site utilizing a total
station or RTK GPS (dependent on timing of internship; training provided)
o Plan for and assist with beach profile surveys, re-occupying previous transects.
o Assist with facies mapping to delineate substrate types with the main channel (depending
on timing of internship).
o If time permits, assist with geomorphic and vegetation mapping to be used in conjunction
with topographic data
 Assist with Data Analysis utilizing GIS and other tools as necessary
o Generate Digital Elevation Models (DEM)
o
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Work with NPS staff to select and implement an appropriate method to evaluate volume
changes (e.g., a GIS tool such as that described in Wheaton et al. (2010).
o Maintain GIS geodatabase of all monitoring stations set up as part of post-implementation
monitoring of Redwood Creek Restoration at Muir Beach.
o Create maps and graphics as needed.
Document analysis methods in sufficient detail to allow the methods to be repeated in future years.
If time available, assist others with habitat restoration and monitoring activities including fisheries
monitoring, water quality monitoring, and vegetation management.
Benefits
 Gain experience conducting topographic surveys with total station or RTK GPS
 Opportunity to utilize and apply GIS skills to address resource management needs
 Gain creek and wetland ecology and restoration experience.
 Opportunity to live in and enjoy the scenery, wildlife and cultural resources of a spectacular National
Park.
 Opportunity for personal/professional development days to pursue an interest, including training
and education in various departments within the Park Service and Parks Conservancy.
 Opportunities to work with staff and volunteers from diverse backgrounds that share a common
interest in preserving and protecting our natural lands while engaging park visitors.
 Fifty Dollar ($50.00) per day stipend available, plus academic credit.
Desired Qualifications
 A love of nature, outdoor work, and getting your hands dirty
 Experience or interest in natural resources management, and creek and wetland restoration.
 Advanced coursework in GIS or strong GIS skills
 Ability, experience or interest utilizing a total station or RTK GPS
 Strong quantitative skills and good attention to detail.
 Energetic, flexible, self-motivated, and a sense of humor
 Able to work in a team and to work with a diversity of people with different backgrounds, ethnicity,
races, genders, sexualities, ages, and viewpoints
 Ability to work independently and take on a leadership role as needed
 Good communication skills including ability to record legible field data
 A valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
Physical Requirements and Work Environment
 This is position will include both office and field time.
 Must be in good physical condition, able to work in chest waders in aquatic environments and enjoy
working outside in various weather conditions.
 Ability to lift, carry and position objects weighing up to 40 pounds
Terms
 Desired Start Date: January 2013
 2 – 3 days per week, January through May. Summer (full time) extension possible.
 Available only to students currently enrolled in SF State and City College of San Francisco
To apply for this position, please send a resume and a thoughtful cover letter to
AcademicIntern@parksconservancy.org. Please indicate the position title in your email subject line. In
the letter, please indicate your preference if applying to more than one internship. No phone calls
please.
The Parks Conservancy and National Park Service are committed to diversity in the workplace.
Minorities and people of color are encouraged to apply.