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Seasonal GIS Trails Assistant Winter 24/25

AT The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Seasonal GIS Trails Assistant Winter 24/25

Boston, MA

Job Description

Who We Are:
The Department of Conversation & Recreation (DCR) is steward of one of the largest state parks systems in the country. Its 450,000 acres is made up of forests, parks, greenways, historic sites and landscapes, seashores, lakes, ponds, reservoirs, and watersheds. The DCR also oversees several swimming pools, wading pools, and spray decks.

Who We Serve:
Massachusetts was the first state in the nation to combine energy and environmental agencies under one Cabinet secretary. The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA) serves Commonwealth residents interested in outdoor recreational activities, clean energy solutions and those who work with animals and livestock. Equally, EOEEA works with energy consumers, power companies, clean energy providers and farmers to delicately balance the interaction with environmental protection laws and regulations while being a cornerstone for our economic prosperity.

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Job Opening:
The Department of Conservation and Recreation seeks applicants for the position of Program Coordinator II - GIS Trails Mapping Assistant, to perform the following duties:

DCR has a system of roads and trails within its properties that extends for thousands of miles. This position will assist the DCR GIS Office with creating and managing trails data, producing maps of the roads and trail for park users, and creating web map applications for communicating trail information to the public and gathering information from DCR staff on areas or specific trails that need to be added or removed from the data. Skills required to do this work are: ArcGIS Pro for data editing and map making, ArcGIS Online for creating online map applications, and GPS/field experience for collecting trails data in the field. The successful candidate will have strong cartographic skills and a strong understanding of data editing techniques in GIS.

Specific duties include:

  • Working with and improving the existing trails data schema
  • Determining final trail data collection/update/maintenance workflow


  • Cleanup and QA/QC of existing and new data via fieldwork and office work
  • Developing an ArcGIS Online application for soliciting needed trail data changes from park staff and others
  • Establish a workflow and vetting process for incorporating trail data that comes in from other data sources
  • Fieldwork - mapping missing parks and updating existing parks that are out-of-date using GPS (ArcGIS Field Maps) for data collection and desktop data editing in ArcGIS Pro
  • Creating documentation for fieldwork techniques, editing techniques, and other workflows


  • Working with local park staff and others to finalize or update park-level trail data
  • Working with existing GIS staff, graphic design staff, and others to update print and digital trail maps and create new maps
  • Maintaining ArcGIS Online trail data for use in web apps for staff and the public
  • Updating MassGIS's DCR trails layers periodically
  • Coordinating with external groups to incorporate DCR trail data into larger datasets


  • Working with DCR GIS and other DCR staff to create web apps and potentially native mobile apps for use by the public, DCR staff, and partners
  • Creating and maintaining AGOL solutions (layers, maps, apps etc.) to communicate trails data with DCR staff and/or the public and if needed, to gather feedback.

Other related duties as required.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Strong GIS background in cartography and data editing
  • GPS fieldwork experience and motivation to do intensive fieldwork
  • Strong written and oral communication skills for outreach to internal and external partners

Start date: ASAP

End date: 3/15/2025

Please note, if you are selected for this position and will be working less than 90 days, the position will automatically revert to a short-term position.

Our short-term positions are not part of the salary scale that is advertised within this job posting. Should this position revert to a short-term seasonal position (less than 90 days), your salary rate will be discussed with you during the interview phase of the process.

Qualifications

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have at least (A) three years of full time, or equivalent part-time, professional, administrative or managerial experience in business administration, business management or public administration the major duties of which involved program management, program administration, program coordination, program planning and/or program analysis, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.

Substitutions:

I. A Bachelor's degree with a major in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the-required experience.

II. A Graduate degree with a major in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for the required experience.


III. A Bachelor's or higher degree with a major other than in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required experience.

Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

Comprehensive Benefits
When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.

Client-provided location(s): Boston, MA, USA
Job ID: Commonwealth_of_Massachusetts-24000720
Employment Type: Full Time

Perks and Benefits

  • Health and Wellness

    • Health Insurance
    • Health Reimbursement Account
    • Dental Insurance
    • Vision Insurance
    • Life Insurance
    • Short-Term Disability
    • Long-Term Disability
    • FSA
    • HSA
    • Mental Health Benefits
  • Parental Benefits

    • Adoption Assistance Program
    • Family Support Resources
  • Work Flexibility

    • Flexible Work Hours
    • Hybrid Work Opportunities
  • Office Life and Perks

    • Commuter Benefits Program
  • Vacation and Time Off

    • Paid Vacation
    • Paid Holidays
    • Personal/Sick Days
    • Volunteer Time Off
  • Financial and Retirement

    • Pension
    • Financial Counseling
  • Professional Development

    • Promote From Within
    • Mentor Program
    • Access to Online Courses
    • Lunch and Learns
    • Internship Program
    • Leadership Training Program
    • Associate or Rotational Training Program
  • Diversity and Inclusion

    • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program