Research Specialist I - GIS Administrator

Job Title

Research Specialist I - GIS Administrator

Agency

Texas A&M University

Department

Oceanography

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Here’s a Glimpse of the Job

The Gulf of America Coastal Ocean Observing System (GCOOS) is the Gulf of America regional component of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) of NOAA and is part of the Department of Oceanography with Texas A&M University.

We are looking for a highly motivated and skilled professional interested in contributing to understanding the Gulf of America by managing an ArcGIS Enterprise and ArcGIS Online hybrid system. The GIS Manager (Research Specialist I) will support GCOOS and will work closely with the GCOOS Data Management and Cyberinfrastructure Team to serve a unique user base with a suite of rich marine geospatial data services and applications using the GCOOS GIS platform.  

Opportunities to Contribute

• Manages our hybrid ArcGIS Enterprise System based at Texas A&M University, ArcGIS Online platform, and internal and external users.

• Utilizes prior system administration experience, in relevant areas including but not limited to using Windows Server, IIS, and Python. Experience with cloud systems is highly desirable.

• Manages over a thousand data services with Python GIS administration tools.

• Communicates with the Texas A&M Account Manager to ensure the capabilities of GCOOS GIS align with project scope.

• Maintains, troubleshoots and upgrades existing GCOOS geospatial data and applications

• Utilizes needs from the GCOOS board, staff, members and other stakeholders to conceptually design and create new geo apps to access, visualize and analyze large and complex oceanographic datasets and real-time data streams.

• Supports our communities with spatial analysis of datasets needed to identify gaps, risks, and other valuable contributions to synthesis, reports and planning processes.

• Accesses and analyzes large and complex databases including those available through ERDDAP used by NOAA and modeling communities, to support research and data-driven decision-making.

• Supports proposal and report writing.

• Attends regular and other meetings.

• Represents GCOOS at relevant events (virtual and in-person).

• Supports other staff with GIS and mapping needs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, GIS, Geography, Oceanography, Earth Sciences, Physics, Environmental Science, Engineering or other related field

• Four years of related experience in Information Technology, GIS, Geography, Oceanography, Earth Sciences, Physics, Environmental Science, Engineering or other related field.

A well-qualified candidate would also possess:

• Minimum of 4 years of related experience in Information Technology, GIS, Geography, Oceanography, Earth Sciences, Physics, Environmental Science, Engineering or another related field.

• Master’s degree in Computer Science, GIS, Geography, Oceanography, Earth Sciences, Physics, Environmental Science, Engineering or another related field.

• Strong understanding of GIS system administration, ESRI full product stack development, story maps, data visualization, and spatial analyses.

• Proven technical programming experience (i.e., scripting in Python), and experience with cloud environments is desirable.

• Experience with Windows Server, Web Server management with Microsoft Internet Information Services.

• Good understanding of IT principles relevant to GIS System Administration including forward and reverse proxies, principle of least privileges, and zero-trust architecture.

• A good understanding of GIS system administration, ESRI product stack development, and data visualization.

• Enjoys being given a problem to solve while developing new skills and able to work semi-independently.

• Ability to communicate ideas effectively and to work cooperatively with others, inside an