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In January 2010, Scenic Hudson protected 140 acres in the Town of Fort Montgomery (Orange) as part of our campaign to Save the Land That Matters Most

View of the newly protected property in the Hudson Highlands.photo: Robert Rodriguez, Jr.

One of the most significant preservation opportunities in the Hudson Highlands, this acquisition preserves the continuity of a world-class scenic landscape encompassing Bear Mountain State Park and undeveloped acreage within the U.S. Military Academy. Visible for miles from popular public viewpoints -- including Bear Mountain Bridge, the Appalachian Trail and Hudson Highlands State Park -- Popolopen Ridge features steep slopes, rock outcroppings, streams and wetlands, unbroken forest cover and a significant stand of mountain laurel. The transaction prevents these irreplaceable natural resources from falling prey to sprawling development that desecrated nearby Corbin Hill.

In addition to conserving habitat that sustains a diversity of wildlife, protection of Popolopen Ridge safeguards a road that Revolutionary War soldiers may have traveled on to attack and defend nearby Fort Montgomery, now a state historic site. It also affords the possibility of extending hiking trails that offer panoramic vistas of the Highlands, further connecting people with the region's breathtaking natural splendor.

The purchase, accomplished in partnership with the Hudson Highlands Land Trust, is part of Scenic Hudson's collaborative campaign to Save the Land That Matters Most, conserving 65,000 acres of great scenic, ecological and agricultural significance.

Project highlights

• Protects world-class scenery visible from many public viewpoints
• Preserves lands that played an important role in the American Revolution
• Safeguards critical wildlife habitat
• Allows for extension of popular hiking trails

Location

To view the Popolopen Ridge property in relation to other nearby protected lands, download this map (pdf, 475k)

Date of Notice:

March 11, 2010

Position Description:

Oversee all aspects of GIS development, management and administration at Scenic Hudson, in support of land and conservation easement acquisition, community land use planning, conservation science, biodiversity data management, natural resource management, membership-building and public policy initiatives.

Reporting to:

Land Conservation Director. Will also work closely with the Conservation Science Director and other teams within Scenic Hudson.

Supervises:

Land Project Assistant

Required Qualifications:

• Expertise in the principles of GIS, its uses and applications, including a minimum of 3 years experience with ArcGIS, including the Spatial Analyst and/or 3D Analyst extensions.
• Knowledge of principles and techniques of cartography and publication-quality map production.
• Ability to perform both vector and raster-based analyses, including terrain and viewshed analyses.
• Ability to create and maintain geodatabases.
• Cartographic skills including proficiency with Adobe Illustrator or similar design/graphics software program.
• Proficiency with GPS data collection using Trimble and/or Garmin GPS receivers.
• An understanding of database design and integration between Microsoft Access and ArcGIS.
• Ability to create scripts and tools to improve workflow and efficiency.
• Ability to work independently and as part of multiple teams, handle multiple priorities and have excellent graphic and written communication skills.
• Flexibility, ability to work effectively within deadlines, and a willingness to work with others.

Other Desired Qualifications:

• Familiarity with land trusts and land preservation techniques, and familiarity with landscape-scale conservation and biodiversity issues.
• Knowledge of natural resource management issues and the principles and practices of open space and/or park planning, property-specific land planning, and municipal planning and zoning.
• Familiarity with CAD data and the ability to convert between CAD and GIS formats.
• Familiarity with LiDAR data or the desire to learn the necessary skills for processing such datasets.
• Familiarity with Google SketchUp and the ability to create 3D visual simulations.

Education/Experience:

Equivalent to a BS/BA with major coursework in geography, landscape architecture, land use and regional planning, environmental science, conservation biology or natural resources management with a specialty in GIS. Advanced degree preferred. Minimum of three years experience with GIS required. GIS experience applied to land protection, open space planning, land use planning or natural resources management is highly desirable.

Principle Responsibilities may include:

• Managing and updating all spatially-based data layers related to land holdings, land use, natural and cultural resources, trails and other recreational features.
• Providing regular updates to the organization's standard map products.
• Analyses including visual simulations, viewshed analyses, and sea level rise modeling using LiDAR data, as well as a wide variety of projects related to land use planning, land stewardship, conservation science and land acquisition.
• Manage all ArcGIS licenses and keep abreast of new technologies to determine the needs of the institution moving forward.
• Prepare presentation-quality maps and exhibits to help analyze alternative land protection scenarios, and impact of development proposals on scenic and ecological resources.
• Perform community-wide and regional resource analyses for use in organizational strategic planning.
• Supervise one staff person and provide training and technical assistance to approximately seven other GIS users within the organization. Develop guidelines and procedures to facilitate staff use and application of GIS.
• Recommend and develop solutions, standards, and procedures for applying GIS technology to organizational objectives.
• Coordinate with IT staff to solve GIS-related software/hardware performance issues and to provide GIS and GPS technical support for the organization.
• Establish and maintain positive and cooperative working relationships with co-workers and representatives from other agencies and organizations.

Compensation:

Full Time, salary scheduled in low to mid-50s -- commensurate with experience, generous benefit package.

Organizational Mission and Background:

Scenic Hudson works to protect and restore the Hudson River and its majestic landscape as an irreplaceable national treasure and a vital resource for residents and visitors. A crusader for the valley since 1963, we are credited with saving fabled Storm King Mountain from a destructive industrial project and launching the modern grass-roots environmental movement. Today with more than 25,000 ardent supporters, we are the largest environmental group focused on the Hudson River Valley. Our team of experts combines land acquisition, support for agriculture, citizen-based advocacy and sophisticated planning tools to create environmentally healthy communities, champion smart economic growth, open up riverfronts to the public and preserve the valley's inspiring beauty and natural resources.

We are guided by these enduring principles:

1. Everyone deserves opportunities to experience the Hudson River, to enjoy open space and to have a voice in decisions affecting their community.
2. The beauty of the Hudson River Valley is a unique source of spiritual and artistic vitality and must be preserved forever.
3. An outstanding quality of life is achievable only when a clean, healthy environment is a key component of economic growth.

Contact:

Applications can be e-mailed to tvanyo@scenichudson.org, mailed to Theresa Vanyo, Scenic Hudson, One Civic Center Plaza, Suite 200, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601, or faxed to (845) 452-7567. Send cover letter with salary requirements, resume and a few samples of maps you have produced.

No phone calls please.

Scenic Hudson is an EOE promoting cultural diversity and excellence.