Geoscientist in the Parks Intern Assists DSC GIS Program

Margaret at the top of the citadel at Tuzigoot National Monument (TUZI) on June 11, 2020. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there are few opportunities for field work for the DSC. When a project team came to TUZI, Margaret was able to drive up for a few hours to meet and help the crew.

What is your name and job title?
My name is Margaret Tueller and I'm interning as a Natural Resource Management Assistant with the Denver Service Center (DSC) Planning Division this summer.

How did you hear about the Geoscientist in the Parks program?
I discovered the Geoscientist in the Parks (GIP) program through a google search of Geographic Information System (GIS) internships within the National Park Service. I kept my eye on the GIP program for about a year and a half before I finally had the opportunity to apply. I started my application the moment positions were posted and applied to 3 internships (the maximum number allowed). To my surprise and delight, I was accepted for my “reach” application! I am so glad I took the leap and applied.

What experience and education do you have? This fall will be my 4th and final year of undergrad at Arizona State University. I am pursuing two bachelor’s degrees in GIS and Urban Planning as well as a minor in Design Studies and a certificate in Environmental Education. I got my first internship in the Fall of 2019 as a GIS intern at the Desert Botanical Garden. My love for GIS grew during that internship and prompted me to advance my GIS certificate to a bachelor’s degree. This past year I worked as a GIS & Design intern for Qualytics LLC where I saw an entirely different side of GIS work in the Opportunity Zone and real estate world. I feel incredibly lucky for the experiences I’ve had interning for multiple organizations with different insights into GIS career paths.

What made you want to work for the NPS? I felt inspired to work for the National Park Service because of its mission “to preserve unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the national park system for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.” As both a young person and someone who lives in an urban environment, I feel strongly about preserving these natural and cultural resources for everyone to experience. I also appreciate the vast opportunities for GIS application in the National Park Service. I’ve already had many conversations with GIS professionals and enthusiasts throughout my internship that resonate my love for all things geospatial, and they inspire me with their projects and stories every day.

What are projects are you working on? I have two main projects this summer. First, I am working on a geodatabase of park zones for the Zoning Workgroup. This database will help with the development of the GMP 2.0 as well as inform current and future park zoning to effectively manage visitor use, resources, etc. Second, I am helping draft case study examples for a Desired Conditions guidebook. Teleworking this summer has given me the ability to meet with people from not only DSC but across the NPS. Everyone has been very welcoming and enthusiastic, allowing me to sit in on meetings that cover a myriad of topics related to GIS and park planning. I also had the opportunity to briefly meet and assist a DSC project team that visited Arizona this June.

What is a typical day like for you working remotely? I am a morning person, so I like to wake up at 6 am and start my workday around 7:30 am. I am remote working from my apartment in Tempe, AZ, so sometimes I go for a walk before starting my work to avoid the intense heat; It is typically 90 degrees by 7 am, with an average daily high of around 105 degrees. I recently moved apartments, so I now work from my bedroom on a large desk I got for schoolwork. Most days I have at least 1 or 2 meetings regarding training or projects. Otherwise, I spend my time working on tasks to meet my project goals and deadlines and preparing for the next check-in meeting with my colleagues. I find that dressing up while teleworking, especially for important meetings, provides me with a boost of confidence and a positive, professional mindset that gets me in the right mood to work.