Senior Interactive Cartographer

How You’ll Contribute

The Storytelling division works to expand the organization’s impact through journalism, photography, film/video, web content, mapping, asset management, and data visualization. As one of the largest funders to individual storytellers in this work, it also identifies key grantmaking and fellowship opportunities with creative talent. Much of the team's programmatic activity is focused on identifying and building capacity for the next generation of diverse storytellers.

The Basecamp Senior Interactive Cartographer will play a leadership role in conceiving, designing, and refining animated maps, and motion graphics and plays a key role on a creative team that develops and produces a diverse portfolio of media to support National Geographic Society’s Base Camp Construction project. In this fixed-term role you will help maintain the standards of excellence for which National Geographic maps and graphics are known. This role will report to the Chief Cartographer and work closely with the Impact Story Lab, the Basecamp Experiences and Content teams and with The Geographer and their team.

This is a fixed-term role through 12/31/26.

Your Impact

Responsibilities Include

Basecamp animated maps and graphics  (50%)

• Play a lead role on conceptualization, research, design and art-direction of compelling, impactful animated maps, motion graphics,VR/AR experiences  and data visualizations for a variety of media including NG Basecamp museum exhibits, videos, websites, and mobile device content. 

• Adapt animated maps for static display and usage.

• Research, gather, process, and analyze spatial data and synthesize information from authoritative sources to create maps and graphics.  

Team and Institutional Responsibilities (50%)

•  Ensure that cartographic products conform to established National Geographic Map Policy and cartographic conventions. Understand NG Map Policy and know where and how that policy should be applied on maps and graphics, especially around sensitive or controversial issues. 

• Work cooperatively with the Map Research Editor, NG Explorers, freelancers, and expert sources on non-basecamp mapping projects . Consult with sources and experts to scope and verify information presented in cartographic products (e.g., place names, locations of geographic features, thematic information). Document sources for acknowledgements and fact-checking. 

• Play a leading role in developing content ideas for maps and graphics, mentor colleagues and provide constructive critique to peers. Promote a collaborative, team-based approach to mapping content creation at National Geographic. 

• Develop and innovate animated cartographic methods and interactive technologies for multiple formats. Stay informed and trained on the latest technologies for interactive map and graphics development, establish connections in the industry, and identify appropriate vendors and experts for potential collaboration.

• Exercise a thoughtful, collaborative approach to build relationships within the organization and with the NG Explorer community to understand the needs and opportunities to maximize the amplification of Explorer stories. 

What You’ll Bring

Educational Background

Bachelor’s degree in geography, cartography, motion graphic design, data journalism, animation, data science or related field.

Master’s Degree preferred

Minimum Years and Type of Experience   

7+ years of work experience

A strong portfolio of interactive or animated maps created in a professional capacity demonstrating a history of high-level map design acumen, color theory and typography and a clear pattern of creativity through innovation.

Necessary Knowledge and Skills

•  Experience designing, creating and incorporating maps into video and motion graphics. 

• Experience developing scripts and storyboards for motion graphics

• Expertise in cartography, GIS and remote sensing using commercial or open source software.

• Experience creating maps and geospatial visualizations in a 3D environment using industry standard 3D tools (e.g. Blender, Maya, 3ds Max) 

• Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Cloud platform (essential knowledge of Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, After Effects).

• Experience with elevation data processing, and terrain rendering 

• Strong visual and interactive design skills with a clear grasp of typography, layout, color, motion, projections and the ability to iterate on optimal design solutions.

• Good communication skills, including the ability to concisely explain a problem and articulate a solution. 

• Self-managed, able to take direction, and committed to iterative processes.

• Ability to grasp and critically evaluate new subject matters quickly and to evaluate data for quality, accuracy, and authoritativeness.

• Superior organizational skills and the ability to manage complex projects with multiple timelines and deliverables, independently budget time and handle several tasks simultaneously under the pressure of tight deadlines. 

Desired Qualifications

• Proficiency in a language other than English is preferred.

• Background  in National Geographic‘s core topics, such as photography, space exploration, archaeology, geography, environment, and natural history.

• Familiarity with web development and web online cartography, including, Figma Javascript, HTML and CSS, Map Libre, D3, and Esri web mapping tools (ArcGIS Online, StoryMaps).

• Familiarity with elevation and LiDAR data processing.

• Processing and analyzing remotely sensed data for cartography.

• Numeric literacy, data journalism and strong quantitative analytical skills;

• Experience automating data analytics/management (via Python, R, or similar high-level language).

• Experience with cloud-based analytical platforms (e.g., Google Earth Engine).

Supervision

No direct reports, however, may be responsible for managing contractors and freelancers as well as interns. 

Salary Information

The National Geographic Society offers a competitive and holistic total rewards package. Our compensation structure and transparent pay philosophy are based on industry-specific market data for similar-sized nonprofit organizations.

The salary range for this position accounts for a wide range of factors including but not limited to organizational need; specific skill sets; experience and training; certifications; and more. At the National Geographic Society, individuals are typically hired at or near the starting point of the salary range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.

The salary range for this position is $137,700 - $145,000.

In addition, the National Geographic Society offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package that includes, but is not limited to, medical, dental, and vision insurance; engaging and comprehensive wellness program; 401(k) retirement savings plan with matching contributions after 6 months of employment; flexible paid time off benefits with up to 22 days of paid annual leave per calendar year (15 days for new hires in their first year, prorated based on the number of pay periods remaining in the year) and 10 days of sick leave; 12 paid holidays and a paid winter break between December 25 and 31; paid parental leave, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility benefits; learning and development opportunities; Lifestyle Spending Account; pet adoption assistance and insurance; pre-tax transportation benefits with a generous employer subsidy; employer-paid life insurance and disability benefit; and a variety of National Geographic discounts and perks.

Job Designation

Hybrid - At the Society, we believe in the advantages of coming together to build community, mentor and learn from colleagues, and connect more deeply with our mission. As a result, the majority of our staff are Hybrid. Our Hybrid category requires that staff work at Base Camp two days each week: every Tuesday and Wednesday. Hybrid staff are also always welcome to come in additional days each week if preferred.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position. We are looking for someone with relevant skills and experience, not a checklist that exactly matches the job description. We want to help you grow and in return, you help us grow into a stronger, more inclusive organization.