PROJECT SUMMARY
The National Trust is an intern to support the work of the Research & Development Department (RAD). RAD serves a broad mandate for producing innovative research and development of data-informed deliverables in service of the activities across the Preservation Division and the strategic priorities of the National Trust. This department provides broad research and GIS support, playing a key role in supporting the National Trust’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund projects, as well as projects throughout the Government Relations and Preservation Services and Outreach Departments.
Recently the work of the department has focused on equitable development, racial equity, and social justice issues in preservation among other pressing priorities confronting cities and historic sites in the 21st century. You can see an example of recent work completed by the RAD team at www.savingplaces.org/equity-report.
The GIS intern will be a valued contributor to the work of the RAD team and will work closely with the Senior GIS Project Manager. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, internships for 2022 will be performed remotely.
National Trust internships are temporary experiential learning opportunities with no expectation of employment at the conclusion of the internship.
For this internship, the National Trust is offering a stipend of $3,360 to help offset expenses. The period of the internship would be from approximately June 6 to July 29, 2022, for approximately 28 hours per week (some flexibility of schedule available).This is a virtual internship that can be performed from anywhere in the United States that meets the organization's requirements for remote work.
Interested students or recent graduates should submit a resume, cover letter and two samples of past GIS work (e.g. original GIS research, project with GIS component, web map, story map, etc.).
DUTIES
RAD will provide the intern with opportunities to engage in multiple facets of GIS including data research, collection, editing, analysis, and mapping. Specific tasks may include the following:
- Conduct geospatial research and analysis to support the RAD team’s work on climate change, natural disaster risk and response, Federal and State Historic Tax Credits, affordable housing, and mapping of historic places
- Compile and create metadata for geospatial resources for inclusion in an open data repository
- Create customized web maps and map-based tools to present findings of GIS data collection and analysis efforts
- Research current use, best practices and barriers to use of GIS throughout the preservation field
- Research and collect GIS data on historic districts and other preservation related information at the local and state scale
- Maintain and update feature services, map services and other GIS content within the National Trust’s ArcGIS Online environment
- Assist with routine ArcGIS Online organization administration
- Write brief articles or blog posts to present findings of GIS data research and analysis efforts
- Contribute to the creation of ArcGIS StoryMaps
- Support GIS-related efforts with the organization’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund Program
EDUCATIONAL VALUE TO THE INTERN
The intern will gain experience under the mentorship of respected non-profit professionals in an educational setting at one of the nation’s leading arts & cultural and non-profit advocacy organizations. The internship provides students with a well-rounded experience of working in a fast-paced nonprofit environment. Students may also be eligible for academic credit at the discretion of their institution. The RAD intern will be exposed to all areas of the department's activities and are provided with a variety of opportunities to participate in applied GIS. Specifically, the intern will gain knowledge in the following areas:
- Research in a non-profit setting
- Practical application of GIS technology and methods in the historic preservation profession
- Thought leadership in the realm of creating creative GIS solutions to promote positive and data-informed actions
- GIS career development in a non-profit context for a leading national organization
At the end of the project the intern will have produced or contributed to multiple GIS efforts and products which can be added to their professional portfolio in support of their future career pursuits. GIS projects at the time of internship may vary depending on emergent priorities of RAD and alignment with the interests and background of the selected candidate.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Current or rising junior, senior, recent graduate or graduate student is preferred. Students may be from a GIS/Geography program, or a program in preservation, planning, urban studies, public policy, or related field with a demonstrated interest in GIS.
- Proficiency in ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, and ArcGIS StoryMaps is required.
- Familiarity with one or more of the following is preferred but not required. ArcGIS: Server, Business Analyst, Experience Builder, Dashboards, Hub, API for JavaScript, Survey123, FieldMaps; Other: PostgreSQL/PostGIS, Python, R, Leaflet
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Excellent attention to detail.
- Strong organizational skills required, with ability to prioritize, multi-task efficiently, and meet deadlines in a timely fashion.
- Ability to collaborate and achieve results with supervision, including ability to interact professionally with key internal and external stakeholders as needed.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office products required, including Outlook, Word and Excel.
- Ability work effectively in a remote environment, maintaining productivity and communications to meet deadlines and goals, is required.
- Ability to work effectively with culturally diverse colleagues; connections to or experience helping to engage culturally diverse audiences and partners a plus.
- Applicants must provide their own computer and desired peripherals. All GIS software/licenses will be provided for the duration of the internship.
