GIS Analyst — Information Technologist II

MSU Careers Details•Lansing, MI

25d•Onsite

About The Position

Michigan State University Extension (MSUE), the Community, Food and Environment Institute (CFEI), and the Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI) seek a GIS Analyst to support biodiversity modeling and spatial data management for MNFI research projects. The role has statewide responsibilities and is based at the MNFI office in Lansing, Michigan, in a secure State of Michigan building. MNFI maintains Michigan’s Natural Heritage Database, documenting rare species and natural communities and providing information for regulatory, conservation, land management, and research decisions. The GIS Analyst serves as a senior information technology professional and technical lead supporting enterprise GIS infrastructure, biodiversity information systems, spatial data services, and conservation decision-support tools. The position leads the design, implementation, integration, maintenance, and advancement of complex GIS and biodiversity information systems used by MNFI staff and agency partners. Work includes geospatial analysis, database administration, application development, systems integration, cloud-based GIS solutions, strategic technology planning, project leadership, technical consultation, data quality and system performance, technology evaluation, and support for conservation, regulatory, and research initiatives across Michigan and the Great Lakes region. This position is funded for one year from the date of hire, with a possible extension contingent upon funding renewal. Work is generally 40 hours Monday through Friday, with some nights and weekends needed.

Requirements

Knowledge equivalent to a four-year college degree in geography, ecology, botany, zoology, computer science, information systems, a related information technology field, or a related science field; an equivalent combination of education and experience is also acceptable.
Three to five years of related, progressively responsible or expansive work experience in GIS, information technology, database administration, software development, biodiversity informatics, or related technical fields.
Experience performing analytical and research techniques in an area related to the research being performed.

Nice To Haves

A master’s degree in Geography, GIS, Computer Science, Information Systems, Ecology, Natural Resources, Conservation Biology, Data Science, or a closely related field.
Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in GIS, biodiversity informatics, information technology, database administration, software development, or related technical disciplines.
Experience serving as technical lead or project lead on complex GIS, database, or IT projects.
Experience developing work plans, estimating project budgets, and coordinating staff resources across multiple projects.
Advanced proficiency with Esri Enterprise, ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, Experience Builder, Survey123, Field Maps, Dashboards, and related Esri technologies.
Extensive experience designing and implementing enterprise geospatial solutions.
Expertise in complex geospatial analysis, spatial modeling, habitat suitability modeling, landscape connectivity analysis, and conservation planning applications.
Experience designing geospatial workflows for large-scale natural resource or conservation programs; knowledge of geospatial standards, metadata requirements, and QA/QC methodologies.
Experience administering enterprise geodatabases and relational database management systems.
Experience developing and maintaining applications using Python, JavaScript, Arcade, SQL, and PostgreSQL, including database development, integration, and performance optimization.
Experience designing complex data models, database schemas, data governance practices, and integrations among databases, applications, and external data sources.
Knowledge of data security, backup, recovery, and disaster planning procedures.
Experience automating data processing, reporting, and GIS workflows; developing web-based GIS applications, APIs, and system integrations; and using version control and software development best practices.
Experience administering GIS servers, cloud-based GIS environments, and enterprise technology infrastructure; knowledge of cloud-hosted databases, web services, IT architecture, networking, cybersecurity, and systems administration.
Experience supporting enterprise GIS deployments and integrations across multiple organizations.
Ability to serve as a recognized technical resource and subject matter expert; experience mentoring staff, interns, students, or junior professionals.
Experience leading multidisciplinary project teams, coordinating diverse stakeholders, and developing organizational standards, procedures, best practices, and technical guidance documents.
Ability to independently evaluate emerging technologies and make strategic recommendations to leadership.
Knowledge of Natural Heritage methodologies, biodiversity data management, and conservation planning principles.
Experience working with rare species, natural communities, ecological datasets, or environmental information systems; familiarity with state and federal natural resource agencies, conservation organizations, and regulatory review processes.
Understanding of ecological research methods and the application of scientific data to resource management decisions.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including communicating technical concepts to technical and non-technical audiences.
Experience preparing technical reports, grant deliverables, presentations, documentation, and training materials.
Ability to manage concurrent priorities and projects in a deadline-driven environment and work independently with minimal supervision using sound professional judgment.

Responsibilities

Lead the design, modification, implementation, and integration of complex geospatial tools, databases, biodiversity information systems, and database support software.
Serve as the primary technical resource for geospatial and biodiversity database design, performance optimization, and system integration.
Develop and maintain database architecture, data models, indexing strategies, and data governance procedures.
Monitor database performance, storage utilization, security, and reliability; estimate database capacity needs and adjust designs or indexes as needed.
Migrate database applications and changes from testing to production, and coordinate application, database, and infrastructure migrations across development, testing, and production environments.
Develop and implement data quality assurance and quality control procedures, and automated maintenance, monitoring, backup, and recovery processes.
Perform complex SQL development and database performance tuning.
Evaluate and implement database technologies and enterprise data management solutions.
Design, implement, and maintain GIS servers, cloud environments, enterprise geodatabases, and supporting infrastructure.
Develop operational standards, procedures, and disaster recovery plans; evaluate, test, and recommend hardware, software, and cloud technology solutions.
Coordinate infrastructure needs and technology planning with university IT personnel, vendors, and external partners.
Lead development and implementation of enterprise GIS solutions for MNFI programs and partner agencies.
Design, develop, test, deploy, and maintain GIS applications, dashboards, web applications, geoprocessing tools, and automated workflows.
Integrate biodiversity information systems with external databases, cloud services, partner systems, and web applications; develop APIs, automated data exchanges, and integration workflows.
Evaluate emerging GIS technologies and lead implementation of new technical solutions; troubleshoot and resolve complex application and system issues independently.
Lead complex biodiversity modeling and geospatial analysis involving multiple datasets, methodologies, partners, and stakeholders.
Design and implement spatial models and decision-support tools for rare species conservation, ecological assessment, landscape connectivity analysis, and regulatory review.
Develop standardized analytical methods, workflows, and documentation, and provide expert consultation on geospatial analysis methods and results.
Lead complex GIS, database, and biodiversity informatics projects involving staff, partners, programs, funding sources, and technologies.
Coordinate GIS staff, research staff, contractors, project managers, and external partners; monitor progress and identify risks, issues, and resource needs.
Recommend strategic solutions and alternatives to project managers and organizational leadership; ensure projects meet budgets, technical specifications, quality standards, and deadlines.
Plan and lead moderate-sized projects, including those with approximately 3–5 team members, and participate as an independent professional on large or complex project teams.
Maintain currency in GIS, biodiversity informatics, cloud technologies, application development, database administration, and IT best practices.
Provide specialized second- and third-level customer support as a technical expert, and provide training and assistance to customers and internal staff.
Act as a technical resource to IT professionals, researchers, and partner organizations.