GIS Coordinator

Position Function:

The Southeast Conservation Blueprint (Blueprint) was developed in 2016 under direction of the Southeast Conservation Adaptation Strategy (SECAS) initiative. The Blueprint was built explicitly from biological/ecological objectives, and characterizes the network of lands and waters necessary for sustainability of ecological resources across the Southeast and U.S. Caribbean. This work has culminated into a static map that represents areas of optimum land conservation, management and restoration to support decisions of conservation planners and managers. Efforts are ongoing to provide an up-to-date, stakeholder-informed, data-driven approach to implementing updates to the Blueprint, particularly in the Middle Southeast portion of the geography. This includes characterizing areas for specific conservation actions within stakeholder-identified priority ecosystems.

We are seeking a qualified individual experienced in geospatial web-development to join our team of GIS developers/analysts to build web-enabled geospatial applications that will allow users to visualize maps of Blueprint conservation priority areas, as well as take a leadership role in building next-generation blueprint user capabilities. This includes developing applications that will allow users to select geospatial data measures, weight and choose directionality on those selected measures, and visualize components of the Blueprint under their priorities.

Salary Grade: 14

Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Department Profile:

The Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & Aquaculture has ~30 faculty, ~60 graduate students, and 7 administrative support staff (excluding extension and research support personnel). The Department has extensive extension, research, education and service programs in wildlife, fisheries and aquaculture. For additional information see www.cfr.msstate.edu/wildlife/index.asp

Area of Specialization:

Geospatial Web-Developer/Analyst

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The GIS Coordinator will work closely with an interdisciplinary team of scientists, including faculty and research staff at Mississippi State University (MSU), and partners within federal and state agencies and other organizations representing project end users (stakeholders). The successful candidate for this position will work directly with this team to support web-visualization of geospatial elements of project inputs and deliverables. This will include compilation of geospatial data layers and development of optimized, interactive, and web-enabled geospatial decision support applications. The candidate will also lead beta-testing of the application with target user groups, and provide technical support and web application refinement for outreach efforts. This position may require some travel (depending on pandemic status) within the Southeast Region for project team and stakeholder meetings.

The position will start January 1, 2021 and be funded through December 31, 2021. Opportunities for extension of funding beyond the initial year are a possibility, but not guaranteed. Salary will be commensurate with experience. The position will be located in the Quantitative Ecology and Spatial Technologies Lab (in the College of Forest Resources, Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture) at Mississippi State University in Starkville, Mississippi.

Minimum Qualifications:

The applicant must hold a B.S. in computer science/programming, web development, geography or geosciences, environmental science/natural resources, or other related fields, or other related fields and minimum of 6 years of relevant experience; a M.S. degree and minimum of 3 years of relevant experience; or a Ph.D. with a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience and demonstrated competency. Background with web development and expertise with geographic information systems (GIS) or other related software applications and technologies is required. The applicant must have excellent oral and written communication skills, be self-motivated and creative, and able to work effectively both independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team.

Preferred Qualifications:

A M.S. or Ph.D. in computer science/programming, web development, geography or geosciences, environmental science/natural resources, or other related fields is preferred. The preferred candidate will also have experience developing web-enabled geospatial data applications, particularly those that enable on-the-fly data processing in a web-user interface. Experience with Full Stack web development, with an emphasis on modern web applications, knowledge of JavaScript development, as well as modern web/UI development (ReactJS), HTML, CSS and creation of RESTful web services with NodeJS and expressJS, are considered valuable assets for this position. The ideal candidate will possess a combination of the skills above in addition to strong understanding in asynchronous programming, web architecture and design, and web best practice, development protocols and web security. Other skillsets that will strengthen an application include working knowledge of PostgreSQL and PostGIS, experience with Python scripting, and experience with Frontend Mapping libraries (Leaflet, Mapbox, ArcGIS online for JS). Experience using version control systems with a team (e.g., GIS, SVN, etc...) are a plus.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

The GIS Coordinator will work closely with an interdisciplinary team of scientists, including faculty and research staff at Mississippi State University (MSU), and partners within federal and state agencies and other organizations representing project end users (stakeholders). The successful candidate for this position will work directly with this team to support web-visualization of geospatial elements of project inputs and deliverables. This will include compilation of geospatial data layers and development of optimized, interactive, and web-enabled geospatial decision support applications. The candidate will also lead beta-testing of the application with target user groups, and provide technical support and web application refinement for outreach efforts.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Some travel within the Southeastern U.S. for project team and stakeholder meetings may be required, 1-2 overnight trips every 2-3 months, but will be dependent on travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Instructions for Applying:

Applications must include: 1) cover letter, 2) resume or Curriculum Vitae, 3) contact information for three references, and 4) academic transcripts. Applicant should redact their social security number if it appears on their academic transcript prior to submitting it online. Applicants must complete an application through the MSU HRM website (https://www.msujobs.msstate.edu/), but should also email a copy of the cover letter and resume/CV directly to kristine.evans@msstate.edu.

Restricted Clause:

Position is contingent upon funding availability.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

MSU is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, gender identity, status as a U.S. veteran, and/or any other status protected by applicable law. We always welcome nominations and applications from women, members of any minority group, and others who share our passion for building a diverse community that reflects the diversity in our student population.