GIS Specialist

Position Overview

Position title: GIS Specialist

Salary range: See Table 24B for the salary range for an exempt position. A reasonable estimate for this position is: Junior Specialist: $55,000/annually (up to 40 hrs/week)
Assistant Specialist: $56,563/annually (up to 35 hrs/week)

Percent time: Exempt:
Junior Specialist: Up to 100%
Assistant Specialist: Up to 87.5%

Anticipated start: March 2026 or until filled

Review timeline: Friday, Jan 30, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.

Position duration: 1 Year, renewable

Application Window
Open date: December 20, 2025
Next review date: Friday, Jan 30, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Tuesday, Jun 30, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position Description

Position Summary

The GIS Center at University Library is seeking one GIS Specialist at either the Junior or Assistant Specialist level.

The Junior/Assistant GIS Specialist position at the GIS Center supports the day-to-day operations of the GIS Laboratory providing in-person customer service and drop-in lab hours, technical support, training and software licensing.
The Junior/Assistant GIS Specialist focuses specifically on geospatial analysis, data management, instructional support, outreach, and research projects. They provide one-on-one projects and research consultations for faculty staff and students and are responsible for updating documentation on websites and LibGuides.
The Junior/Assistant GIS Specialist creates and updates software tutorials and supports various campus workshops affiliated with the GIS Center.
Other responsibilities include collaboration with campus GIS users, maintaining dashboards and reports on data, portal and software usage.

Primary Duties:

GIS Lab Management

• Staffs on-campus GIS Lab
• Manages student staff and projects
• Coordinates with the GIS Director to identify technical resources and future needs.
• Monitors and maintains the updates of GIS related software on PC workstations including but not limited to ArcGIS Pro, QGIS, R and Python.
• Maintains general knowledge of GIS products (ESRI & QGIS) and other software programs through regularly attending synchronous and asynchronous trainings.
• Independently troubleshoots technical issues in support of GIS users
• Prepares reports on usage of data, GIS applications and consultations
• Creates outreach and informational materials about the GIS Center including printed flyers and digital graphics

Instruction and Learning Support

• Provides on-call support in the GIS lab during drop-in hours.
• Updates and maintains documentation (LibGuides) and the UC Merced ArcGIS Online portal and webpages.
• Documents and provide information and procedures for signing up for and accessing GIS resources which include training, tutorials, published data sets, and software programs and associated extensions.
• Supports faculty, teaching assistants and students in for-credit GIS courses by assisting with review of instructional materials

Research

• Produces high quality cartographic products for publications and outreach
• Consults with faculty and graduate students providing guidance for usage of GIS tools and methodologies
• Converts data from various sources into GIS formats, including but not limited to paper maps and tabular data
• Understands and applies geospatial analysis for research projects in various subjects including but not limited to: environmental science, public health, anthropology, sociology and political science
• Provides research support by providing GIS services for grants and recharge projects

Other Duties

• Serves on library and university committee(s), with supervisor approval.
• Other duties as assigned.

Lab: http://gis.ucmerced.edu

Qualifications

Basic qualifications

Junior Level
Required: Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, cognitive science, history, archeology, geography or related field. Technical skills include the use of GIS software products, digital image manipulation, database management. Proficiency in writing as it relates to grants, technical documentation and outreach materials. Must be able to work independently, produce accurate work, and manage multiple requests, workflows, and priorities effectively. Strong interpersonal, communication, and customer service skills in working with diverse campus stakeholders including colleagues, faculty, students, and researchers. Portfolio of GIS projects will be requested prior to interview

Assistant Level
Required: Master's degree in computer science, engineering, cognitive science, history, archeology, geography or related field desired and/or five years or more of professional GIS experience. Technical skills include the use of GIS software products, digital image manipulation, database management and high proficiency in writing as it relates to grants, technical documentation and outreach materials. Must be able to work independently, produce accurate work, and manage multiple requests, workflows, and priorities effectively. Minimum two years of experience in research or computer lab environments. Strong interpersonal, communication, and customer service skills in working with diverse campus stakeholders including colleagues, faculty, students, and researchers. Portfolio of GIS projects will be requested prior to interview.

Preferred qualifications

Junior Level
Preferred: Experience in research and/or computer lab environments. Post baccalaureate GIS certificate desired.

Assistant Level
Preferred: Post baccalaureate GIS certificate or Masters' degree in GIS.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter - Cover letters will be evaluated for authenticity and interest.
• GIS Portfolio - Examples of work and projects will be required prior to interview.
• Authorization to Release Information Form - As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

'Misconduct' means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.

Required Authorization of Information Release may be found here. Please complete, sign, and upload the required Authorization of Information Release to your application.

Reference requirements

• 2 required (contact information only)

Please list two names of potential references and contact information.