Wildlife Lands Program GIS Intern (1 Position) 

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

Description 

The Wildlife Lands Program GIS Intern is a paid position that gives undergraduate students practical experience and hands-on education through work with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR). This position will work with DWR biologists and natural resource professionals who are responsible for managing the real property aspects of land that the DWR owns and manages. The position will use various GIS tools to generate, modify and verify spatial data, as well as interpret deed and easement legal descriptions. In addition to Wildlife Lands Program work, there will be a few opportunities for the successful applicant to assist the DWR with fieldwork like species surveys and habitat restoration and/or visit DWR facilities like the Great Basin Research Center and Seed Warehouse.

Utah’s wildlife and waterfowl and wildlife management areas — commonly known as WMAs — are properties owned and managed by the DWR for the following purposes: 

• Conserving critical wildlife habitats 
• Helping to minimize and mitigate wildlife depredation on private property 
• Providing places where people can go to hunt and fish 

Currently, there are 194 WMAs throughout Utah, totaling over 600,000 acres, or over 900 square miles. These properties range in size from less than an acre to over 50,000 acres. Unlike other public or state-owned lands, WMAs are not multi-use lands, and the types of recreation allowed are limited.

To learn more about being part of #TeamWILDIFE, check out the links below.  

UDWR Blog - The 4 biggest surprises in working for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

UDWR Podcast - Replanting Utah

Duties 

• Develop GIS land records using ArcGIS Pro and other GIS tools to map document legal descriptions into the DWR’s land records database 
• Review land deeds and legal agreements to update spreadsheets and compile all records for real property owned and managed by the DWR 
• Scan, convert and import legal descriptions into ArcGIS Pro to evaluate and map shapefiles, and organize files according to a complex system 
• Use coordinate geometry (COGO) and other advanced GIS tools to create and correct GIS parcel data 
• Attend statewide GIS team meetings where current projects and best practices related to geospatial methods and procedures are discussed 

Qualifications 

Applicants must be currently enrolled as an undergraduate student at USU’s Quinney College of Natural Resources. Applicants must have successfully completed some GIS coursework or have other experience using ArcGIS. Preference will be given to applicants who successfully completed USU’s Introduction to Geographic Information Sciences (GEOG 2800 or WILD 2800) and Advanced GIS and Spatial Analysis (WATS 4930) courses.  

Applicants must be quick-learners and have a willingness to develop the skills needed to perform a variety of tasks using cutting-edge GIS technology and a bit of old-fashioned research. Individuals who demonstrate that they are a hardworking, driven and motivated team member are preferred. Demonstrated ability to pay attention to detail and work independently is a plus. 

A valid driver's license is required. The majority of the time, the successful applicant will be exposed to risks found in a typical office setting. There will be walking, standing, bending, carrying light items and occasional lifting of items that weigh up to 25 pounds. 

This is a full-time (40 hours per week) position that will include some travel to county recorder offices around Utah, which may result in some evening hours and overnight travel. The DWR will cover expenses related to any required travel. The DWR employee who supervises the Wildlife Lands Program GIS Intern will work with the successful applicant to develop a work schedule that includes time in the DWR’s Salt Lake Office and flexibility for remote work.  

People and Culture Expectation 

The successful applicant will be expected to uphold the DWR’s values of integrity, professionalism, accountability, teamwork and cooperation. The behaviors they embrace should set an example of professional and personal respect. The intern will be expected to actively promote a workplace free of discrimination and harassment, as well as make good faith efforts to understand people as unique individuals with diverse life experiences, challenges and opportunities.  

Credits/Honors 

Successful applicants may enroll for up to 3 credit hours during the internship; Honors Program participants may enroll for points. Students then coordinate with a USU advisor to develop and complete an academic assignment. 

Salary: $15/hour (40 hrs/week) 

Location: Flexible; Salt Lake City at the Utah Department of Natural Resources Complex located at 1594 W. North Temple.  

Number of Openings: 1 

Closing Date: midnight February 29, 2024 

Employment Dates: Flexible; not to exceed 480 hours over 12 weeks between early May and the end of August, 2024. 

Housing: Not provided 

 

Apply to the QCNR summer internship program here.

 

For more information, contact: 

Chelsea Duke, Wildlife Lands Program Coordinator 
Habitat Section | Utah Division of Wildlife Resources 
chelseaduke@utah.gov