Research Specialist I - GIS Developer

Job Title

Research Specialist I - GIS Developer

Agency

Texas A&M University

Department

Oceanography

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Glimpse of the Job
The Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System (GCOOS) is the Gulf of Mexico 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. At GCOOS we are looking for a highly motivated and skilled professional interested in contributing to understanding the Gulf of Mexico with the development of geospatial data science tools. The Research Specialist I will support GCOOS in a ‘GIS Innovation Development’ role (title) and will work closely with the GCOOS Data Management and Cyberinfrastructure Team to conceive the enhancement of existing geo apps and development of new tools in support of solutions needed by the communities that we serve around the Gulf of Mexico. Our team manages data streams from a fleet of live ocean sensors in the Gulf of Mexico, in vessels, moorings, radars, animal tags, autonomous vessels and satellites.

Opportunities to Contribute:

• Geospatial application development: Maintains, troubleshoots and upgrades existing GCOOS geospatial data and applications, and uses 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.

• GIS system administration: Manages our ESRI-based GIS environment at Texas A&M University, geodatabases, ArcGIS Online platform, and internal and external users. This will require system administration experience, including but not limited to ESRI platform, server administration using Linux and Python. Experience with cloud systems is highly desirable.

• Spatial data analysis: Supports our communities with spatial analysis of datasets needed to identify gaps, risks, and other valuable contributions to synthesis, reports and planning processes. The role will have access to large and complex databases including those in ERDDAP used by NOAA and modeling communities.

• Other GCOOS Duties as assigned: Supports proposal and report writing, attends regular and other meetings, represents GCOOS at relevant events (virtual and in-person), and 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

• 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 and outside the organization.

• Good technical programming experience (i.e., scripting in Python).

• GIS system administration.

• ESRI product stack development.

A well-qualified candidate will also possess:

• 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

• Texas driver’s license

Salary: Compensation will be commensurate based on the selected candidate's education and experience.

Location: This position may be eligible to work at an alternative work location.

Special Note: This position is funded from grant and/or contract funding, which is renewed through provisions of the grantor of the contract. Therefore, this position is contingent upon continuation of funding from these grants and/or contracts, as well as satisfactory job performance.

What You Need to Do: 

Apply! Submitting a cover letter and resume is strongly recommended and will help us with the review process. You may upload these documents on the application under CV/Resume.

Why Texas A&M University? 

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents & lived experiences.  Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our core values which are: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service.

The Department of Oceanography in the College of Arts and Sciences at Texas A&M University (TAMU) is part of an alliance of Ocean Sciences at Texas A&M that spans the Marine Biology and Marine Sciences Departments at TAMU Galveston, Geochemical and Environmental Research Group.  This alliance of Ocean Sciences represents a truly unique concentration of educational and research resources.  Our educational and research capacity is greatly enhanced by close ties to the College Departments of Atmospheric Sciences, Geography, and Geology & Geophysics, as well as the Berg Hughes Center, and Texas Center for Climate Studies.  

We are a prestigious university with strong traditions, Core Values, and a community of caring and collaboration.  Amenities associated with a major university, such as sporting and cultural events, state-of-the-art recreation facilities, the Bush Library and Museum, and much more await you.  Experience all that a big city has to offer but with a reasonable cost-of-living and no long commutes. 

• Health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M contributing to employee health and basic life premiums

• 12-15 days of annual paid holidays 

• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month

• Automatically enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas 

• Health and Wellness: Free exercise programs and release time

• Professional Development: All employees have access to free LinkedIn Learning training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more 

• Employee Tuition Assistance and Educational Release time  for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee

Instructions to Applicants: Applications received by Texas A&M University must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to pre-populate the online application.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.