GIS Specialist Internship in Belize

GIS Specialist internship at the Toledo Institute for Development and Environment, Belize

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a GIS Specialist intern to join the Research and Monitoring team at The Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE). TIDE is undertaking a project to generate a baseline of mangrove, seagrass and other habitat cover in Port Honduras Marine Reserve in 2013.

TIDE is a Belizean NGO working to protect some of the most pristine coastal and marine ecosystems in Central America, including the healthiest coral reef in the whole Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System. TIDE works by building local capacity for conservation and fostering community participation in sustainable management of natural resources.

TIDE is one of the leading conservation organizations in the region and is pioneering new approaches, including the first implementation of a Managed Access fishery policy in the Belize Barrier Reef as well as an award-winning environmental education and sports competition, the TIDE Freshwater Cup.

The GIS specialist will have 1 month to obtain clean high-resolution satellite imagery and analyze the images to help in determining the various habitat types.

A small monthly stipend is available for the successful candidate for a 7 month internship.

This important role will involve the following duties:

• Creation and visualization of data layers and map products using ArcGIS (v. 9.3 or higher) software
• Update the GIS master database layers for spatial geometry and attributes and the metadata associate with each layer
• Meet with users to define data needs, project requirements, required outputs, or to develop applications
• Gather, analyze, and integrate spatial data from staff and determine how best the information can be displayed using GIS
• Present information to users and answer questions

The successful candidate will possess the following skills and qualities:

• A good quality bachelor’s degree in a related field
• Create maps and graphs, using ArcGIS software and related equipment
• Conduct research to locate and obtain existing databases
• Compile geographic data from a variety of sources including censuses, field observation, satellite imagery, aerial photographs, and existing maps
• Analyze spatial data for geographic statistics to incorporate into documents and reports
• Design and update database, applying additional knowledge of spatial feature representations.
• Enter new map data through use of a digitizer or by direct input of coordinate information using the principles of cartography including coordinate systems, longitude, latitude, elevation, topography, and map scales.
• Analyze geographic relationships among varying types of data
• Prepare metadata and other documentation
• Move, copy, delete, and add files, drawings, and maps to output reports in hard copy or electronic transfer
• Retrieve stored maps

The following would be desirable:

• Postgraduate qualifications
• Experience living in a developing country an among people of other culture

The GIS Specialist intern will work alongside the Science Director. The successful candidate will be proactive and self-sufficient. Benefits of volunteering for TIDE include:

• Experience living in a developing country an among people of other culture
• A chance to gain valuable experience
• A chance to make a lasting, positive impact
• Living and working in a beautiful, peaceful, multi-cultural Caribbean town
• Being part of a friendly and dynamic team of committed individuals in a leading Belizean conservation NGO
• Opportunities to visit areas managed by TIDE and get involved in other aspects of TIDE’s work
• Adventure in a country with pristine ecosystems, world-class snorkeling and SCUBA diving

Please see our website (http://www.tidebelize.org/) for more information about our programs and activities and our Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TIDEBZE for the latest news. Please direct any questions to Cristin Fitzpatrick, Science Communications Officer, at cfitzpatrick@tidebelize.org.

To apply, please send your c.v. and a cover letter to James Foley, Science Director a jfoley@tidebelize.org by 15 June 2013. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted with requests for further information.