Montana Internship Opportunity – GIS Technician – Montana Department of Commerce

Again this year, the Montana Department of Commerce will be organizing a vibrant internship program that seeks to provide our interns with the most robust and rewarding experience in state government.

Our 2016 Intern Class will be hired as a group, will have group activities, and will gain a holistic understanding of the entire Department, our mission, and our culture. Each intern will have individual work assignments and perform duties as directed by his or her supervisor.

Director Meg O’Leary will be welcoming the 2016 Intern Class personally and the Deputy Director Doug Mitchell will be meeting with the interns regularly. Each week there will be an event set up with a notable leader from the public or private sectors to share leadership mentorship and answer questions. Last year’s notables included; Chief Justice Mike McGrath, Lt. Governor Angela McLean, and Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau.

This program has been received very well from the past class. Here are just a few comments made by members of the 2015 Intern Class.

"Being a part of the DOC Intern Class of 2015 is something I will carry with me for the rest of my life and look back on fondly."

"Thank you for an amazing summer and giving me the opportunity to grow and learn from influential and inspirational people."

"I’m taking away tangible skills from this internship."
If this process excites you, check out the following positions list below:

Descriptions of Internship:

GIS Technician: This position will work with the Census and Economic Information Center (CEIC) of Research and Information Service. The focus of this position will be to assist with Census boundary updates in preparation for the 2020 Census.

During spring the position will focus on the Block Boundary Suggestion Project (BBSP), which is Phase 1 of the 2020 Redistricting Data Program with the US Census Bureau. The Census Bureau is currently preparing boundaries for the 2020 Census.

The
smallest boundary upon which all other boundaries are built is the Census Block. For the first time the Census Bureau is allowing states to influence the boundaries for these Blocks.
This position will assist the CEIC GIS Coordinator in communication with and training counties and cities across Montana on how to use custom Geographic Update Partnership Software (GUPS), which utilizes QGIS. In areas of the state that do not have GIS resources the GIS staff at CEIC will conduct GoToMeeting webinars to collect suggestions and input them into GUPS. To aid in communication ArcGIS Online will be utilized to produce web apps with the proposed boundaries and suggested changes.

During the summer the focus of this position will be to assist with the Census Designated Places (CDP) update project in preparation for the 2020 Census.

Qualifications: Experience in ArcMap 10.2 and other GIS programs, QGIS desired, but not required. Experience with ArcGIS Online, WebApp Builder, Word, Excel, and building databases. Communication skills: demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication. Ability to work with several different people both in office and remotely. Project management skills, ability to work independently, demonstrated success in taking initiative, organizing steps associated with complex projects and successfully completing those steps in a timely manner.

Additional Information: This spring position will be part time and hours will be dependent on the intern’s availability. The summer position will be full time. This position will aid with additional Census boundary projects and mapping/GIS needs within the Department of Commerce and the research and Information Services. Full Time or Part Time Hourly Wage: $12.00/hr.

Application Process: Letter of interest, Resume, Proof of College enrollment, and one reference letter.

Please send all application materials to:

Department of Commerce

Human Resources

PO Box 200501

Helena, MT 59620

Montana State Government and the Montana Department of Commerce do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, or sexual orientation), age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to the merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.