Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) Developer/Specialist

University of Iowa•Iowa City, IA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The University of Iowa Libraries seeks to hire a Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) Developer/Specialist (PIA2/4B) in the Libraries Information Technology (LIT) department. Reporting to the Application Development lead in LIT, the Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) Specialist serves as the technical lead for GIS-related projects supported by the University Libraries. The position works in close partnership with the Research Manager in the Digital Scholarship and Publishing Studio, who serves as Product Owner and Business Analyst for GIS initiatives, providing research context, requirements definition, and stakeholder coordination. The GIS Specialist supports faculty, staff, and students by contributing technical expertise in the development of a wide range of GIS and mapping projects. This position plays a key role in advancing the University Libraries’ mission to support research and teaching through the innovative use of geospatial information across disciplines. The GIS Specialist supports activities such as training sessions, workshops, and consultations with graduate students and faculty, fostering geospatial literacy and collaborative research. The specialist supports research by contributing to the development and maintenance of standard, scalable GIS project frameworks that promote sustainability, reproducibility, and broader access to geospatial methods and outputs. In addition, the GIS Specialist collaborates closely with campus partners, including academic departments, IT services, and research offices, and actively participates in the campus-wide GIS community. This role contributes to building a cohesive and forward-thinking GIS ecosystem, helping to apply and refine best practices in geospatial research within an academic setting. The specialist also contributes to the development of tools and applications for customized geospatial data visualization using relevant coding libraries for interactive maps, enhancing the discoverability and usability of spatial data. The GIS Specialist carries out this work in coordination with the Research Manager and with guidance and mentorship from the Application Development lead to ensure alignment with institutional development standards and practices.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in GIS, Geography, Computer Science, Information Science, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience (typically 2 years or more) in software development or closely related.
Some experience working hands-on with GIS tools to create, analyze, manage, and visualize spatial data.
Demonstrated proficiency in standard coding libraries and tools for web map application development, such as Leaflet JS, Mapbox GL JS, MapLibre GL JS, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Strong understanding and hands-on experience with GIS software, including ArcGIS and QGIS.
Familiarity with generating and hosting raster and vector tilesets for use in base maps and interactive applications, including from scanned maps and other primary source data.
Knowledge of standard geospatial data formats and web data standards, including GeoJSON, SHP, CSV, and XML.
Ability to collaborate effectively in a consultative and service-oriented environment, with demonstrated flexibility and problem-solving skills.
Proven experience working with individuals and groups in academic or research settings.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts to non-specialist audiences.

Nice To Haves

Formal education or certification in geospatial technologies, digital mapping, or a closely related field, with demonstrated application of skills in professional or academic contexts.
Proficiency in using Python for geoprocessing and automation of GIS workflows, particularly within ArcGIS (e.g., ArcPy) and QGIS (e.g., PyQGIS).
Experience working in an academic library, research center, or higher education setting, with an understanding of the mission, values, and service orientation of academic libraries.
Demonstrated ability to contribute to interdisciplinary research projects, particularly in collaboration with faculty and students.
Familiarity with data management best practices, reproducible research principles, and the use of version control systems (e.g., Git/GitHub) in geospatial work.
Experience designing and delivering instruction, workshops, or consultations on GIS tools and techniques to users with varying levels of expertise.
Experience working within a team-based software development environment, including receiving technical guidance or mentorship and applying established development standards.
Evidence of a commitment to continuous learning and an enthusiasm for exploring emerging tools, technologies, and methods in GIS and digital scholarship.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build effective relationships across academic departments and technical teams.

Responsibilities

Supporting faculty, staff, and students in the creation, analysis, visualization, and management of geospatial data using GIS software, spatial analysis tools, and custom-coded interactive web applications.
Designing and developing, under the guidance of the Application Development lead, scalable GIS-based web applications and tools with a focus on usability (UI/UX), sustainability, and integration with research and instructional needs.
Providing consultation and contributing to instruction through workshops, classroom sessions, and individual training on GIS methods, tools, and best practices for geospatial research and data management.
Supporting digital mapping projects from inception to completion, including workflow optimization, project intake, and migration of legacy projects to modern open-source platforms.
Collaborating with campus partners, academic departments, and IT units to support a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach to GIS services and to strengthen the campus-wide GIS community.
Serving as a university liaison to the Big Ten Academic Alliance Geospatial Information Network (BTAA-GIN), contributing metadata, participating in committees, and supporting the BTAA-GIN Geoportal and conference planning.
Curating, promoting, and enhancing access to geospatial datasets and producing static & dynamic maps for research presentations and publications.
Staying current with emerging GIS and web mapping technologies and incorporating those into services and project solutions.
Coordinating student employees and supporting graduate research projects that incorporate geospatial technologies, including capstone and fellowship initiatives.