GIS Coordinator GS-0401-09
Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area
Golden Pond, KY
Reply by September 19, 2014

Land Between The Lakes NRA (LBL) is seeking a dynamic individual to fill a GS-0401-09 Geospatial Information System (GIS) Coordinator position. The position is a career-conditional fulltime permanent appointment. If you are interested in applying for this position, please respond by September 19, 2014 to Ileana Barnett, ibarnett@fs.fed.us or by phone at (270) 924-2066. Those that respond will receive additional information for the position as it becomes available.

Major Duties:

The position serves as the GIS Coordinator, providing guidance, expertise and advice for the development and application of geospatial information and other data required to support the mission and programs of LBL. The incumbent is responsible for supporting managers and resource specialists in the use of geospatial technology and GIS for land, natural resources and ecosystem management.

Brief description of duties:

• Manages the Geospatial File System at the data center; maintains/updates GIS database
• Assists in developing data dictionaries, data models, and metadata for multi-disciplinary information and geospatial applications
• Assist with the organization and maintenance of resource information and data to facilitate analysis among resource programs
• Converts geospatial information and remote sensing imagery into GIS databases
• Manipulates and analyzes geospatial data to support resource management decisions, planning and monitoring activities
• Compiles data to create maps for resource programs, planning documents, and other projects
• Provides informal GIS training and technical support to resource specialists
• Responds to Regional and National requests

Knowledge:

• Knowledge and demonstrated experience in the maintenance and update of GIS data and associated databases
• Knowledge and demonstrated experience in the use of GIS and Remote Sensing technologies to conduct analysis of natural resources data to support land management decisions
• Practical knowledge of cartographic principles and conventions sufficient to create maps
• Excellent interpersonal skills and works effectively in groups
• Strong communication and organizational skills

About Land Between the Lakes

The LBL Protection Act, which legislatively transferred the management of LBL from the Tennessee Valley Authority to the Forest Service, codifies the original mission of LBL and promotes the continuation of the national demonstration mandate. LBL is a leader among NRAs in cost recovery, and the legislation allows all site-generated revenue to continue to be used in support of LBL’s operation. LBL also has a comprehensive customer-driven business system and culture that focuses staff and financial resources on customer and agency priorities.
The mission of LBL is to manage the resources for optimum yield of outdoor recreation and environmental education for the American people by utilizing its demonstration assignment to research, test, and demonstrate innovative programs; to help stimulate the development of the surrounding region; and to extend the beneficial results as widely as possible.
LBL’s continuing objectives are to:
• Manage and use the resources of the area to afford maximum opportunities for outdoor recreation and environmental education consistent with ecological considerations;
• Provide outdoor recreation programs, services, and facilities responsive to leisure needs and demands and to demonstrate opportunities;
• Enhance human resources development through cross training and growth opportunities for new skills;
• Promote and utilize opportunities for research, testing and demonstration in LBL;
• Help develop the surrounding area; and
• Enlist the participation and support of the general public, private and public organizations and appropriate leaders in accomplishing the LBL mission.

LBL receives approximately 2 million visits from across the US each year. Activities include general and specialized camping, hunting and fishing, trails (hiking, biking, horse, OHV), a nature center, elk and bison prairie, living history farm, residential group camp, planetarium and observatory. For more information about LBL, visit their web site at www.lbl.org.

About the Area
Nestled in the gently rolling hills and lakes of Western Kentucky and Tennessee, the communities that surround LBL offer a variety of lifestyles and modern conveniences, close proximity to major metropolitan areas, and the best features of small town America.

The region is largely farmland interspersed with woodlands, lakes, and streams. The climate is mild, but with four distinct seasons. The surrounding communities range in population from 1,200 to 50,000 and offer a variety of recreation, family attractions, restaurants, shopping, and southern hospitality. Arts and entertainment opportunities include concerts, drama, exhibits, lectures, sporting events, festivals, arts and crafts shows, museums, horse racing and much more. Particularly notable are the area’s bluegrass festivals, barbecue, antiques, and nationally acclaimed golf courses. Outdoor recreation abounds with the two giant lakes that border LBL as the centerpiece. In addition to some of the best hunting and fishing in the country, there are also myriad opportunities for biking, hiking, horseback riding, OHVing, camping, birding, and an array of water sports. The area is rich in history including civil war forts, the Trail of Tears, and historic communities. Cultural diversity is evident due partly to the presence of nearby Murray State University, Fort Campbell, and many international companies.

The larger county seats near LBL include Paducah, Murray, Hopkinsville, and Cadiz, Kentucky; and Clarksville, Dover, and Paris, Tennessee. Residents enjoy housing costs that are well below the national average, low taxes, a low crime rate, progressive medical care, excellent public and private education systems, and active community organizations. Murray State University, Austin Peay State University, and two community colleges offer higher education opportunities and many cultural activities. These attributes lead to the lakes region being named among the top retirement areas by Rand McNally in recent years.

LBL is centrally located, easily accessible by I-24 and within two hours of Nashville, a few hours of St. Louis, Evansville, Louisville, and Memphis, and a day’s drive of Chicago, Atlanta, Detroit, Kansas City, and New Orleans.