Job Description

Position Information

Position Title

GIS Specialist

Department

Instructional Project Dev. -Group

Pay Type

Exempt

Appointment Type (A)

Continuing Full-Time

Hours Per Week

37.5

Number of weeks

52 weeks per year

other - # of weeks

52

Benefits Eligible

Full Benefits

Geographical

National

Qualifies for Relocation Reimbursement

Yes

Work Schedule

M-F 8:30-5, with occasional evening or weekend classes/events, and hybrid-eligible (up to 2 days/week).

General Scope of Duties

The GIS Specialist provides strategic direction and instructional support for mapping and spatial analysis across the curriculum, fostering innovation in scholarship and teaching through geospatial research and visualization. This position advises faculty and students on project development and implementation, and delivers expert instruction on platforms such as ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Pro. As a member of the Digital Scholarship & Curriculum Center within the broader Research Support & Curricular Technology team, the GIS Specialist builds collaborative relationships between the library and academic departments, supervises student assistants, and ensures the college community has access to mapping and spatial analysis methodologies that enhance scholarship, teaching, and learning.



If you're looking for a workplace that values diversity, innovation, collaboration, and the occasional
coffee-fueled brainstorming session, then Connecticut College is the place for you. Join us, and be part of a community where you can work hard, laugh often, and make a meaningful impact. Expected start date is Spring 2026.

General Duties and Responsibilities

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

========================================




Advance campus-wide adoption of GIS and spatial thinking in teaching and research Collaborate with faculty to develop GIS-integrated assignments, labs, and projects for use in courses across the curriculum Support the use of GIS in field-based courses, including participating in fieldwork in the Arboretum, as appropriate Provide both in-class and out-of-class instruction to students throughout the academic year Communicate regularly with faculty and students to promote the library's GIS services and resources to support teaching, learning, and research Develop and deliver training materials and workshops on GIS and spatial analysis methodologies Collaborate with faculty and students across the research and scholarship lifecycle to integrate GIS into research projects, from grant proposals (often as co-PI) through data development, analysis, visualization, and publishing interactive maps and dashboards, all while building GIS skills among researchers Partner with faculty and campus centers to support and enhance community engagement by integrating GIS into service learning, course-based projects, and ongoing collaborations with organizations such as the Arboretum, Goodwin-Niering Center, and Holleran Center, providing technical assistance, capacity building, and web app development for community partners Supervise one or more student assistants who contribute to faculty and student projects involving GIS and spatial analysis

Secondary Duties and Responsibilities:

==========================================




Oversee the College's software, hardware and subscription choices for supporting GIS on campus, including web-based and desktop GIS software, servers for project/data storage, GPS data collection devices, development of GIS data resources and other GIS-related subscription tools In collaboration with IT staff, manage and maintain server infrastructure, ensuring high availability, performance, and security Oversee the ingestion, storage, and processing of large volumes of geospatial imagery, raster, and LiDAR datasets Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to image processing, server performance, and data access Monitor server performance and storage usage and proactively recommend improvements or upgrades to IT staff Maintain knowledge of best practices, developments, and trends in GIS and spatial analysis

Tertiary Duties and Responsibilities:

=========================================




Contribute to the academic life of the College community through participation in campus-wide events, committees, and work groups Contribute to the profession through scholarship, presentations, and active participation in professional associations Represents Connecticut College at national and international conferences to advance and gain recognition for the College's GIS initiatives

About Library & Information Technology at Connecticut College

==================================================================



Library & Information Technology (L&IT) at Connecticut College, combines the best of libraries and technology services into one dynamic team. This innovative merger offers students, faculty, and staff a treasure trove of resources and services to support study, research, scholarship, and learning. We proudly engage with local and national consortia, including Educause, NERCOMP, the Consortium of Liberal Arts Colleges (CLAC), the Oberlin Group, Council on Library & Information Resources (CLIR), and the Boston Library Consortium (BLC).

About the Arboretum at Connecticut College

==============================================



Connecticut College manages 750 acres of landholdings, over 600 of which are Arboretum-managed lands containing a remarkable diversity of natural, cultural, and archaeological resources. Since its establishment in 1931, generations of students and professors have used the Connecticut College Arboretum as a living laboratory to learn about the natural world and cultural heritage. With a wide diversity of natural and managed habitats a few steps away from the lecture and residence halls, over 20 courses regularly use the Arboretum. A proportion of GIS-related projects may be tied to courses that integrate Arboretum resources into teaching--whether through hands-on fieldwork or analytical projects. These efforts will not only provide students with tangible demonstrations of real-world GIS applications but also directly support their success in securing internships and employment.

Education and Skills

Required Qualifications:

============================




Master's degree in a relevant discipline 1-3 years of work experience in a GIS-related position Experience in an academic setting that demonstrates successful engagement with faculty and students and an understanding of their research and teaching needs Demonstrated experience using ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Pro, and other ESRI applications for teaching and research Demonstrated experience finding, processing, creating, and managing geospatial vector and 3D raster data Experience applying programming languages in geocoding, manipulation, and visualization of GIS data, and GIS system administration

Preferred Qualifications

Experience using open-source GIS platforms, such as QGIS and Carto Experience using data from remote sensing and geophysical technologies, such as LiDAR and Ground Penetrating Radar, for GIS applications

Physical Demands

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Ability to remain in a stationary position (e.g., sitting or standing) for extended periods. Ability to climb stairs and move between multiple floors/buildings as needed Frequent movement within the office and/or campus environment, including hiking into the 600-acre Arboretum Repetitive motions, including typing, using a mouse, and handling documents Ability to communicate effectively in person, via phone, and electronically Visual and auditory ability to complete job-related tasks Ability to operate standard office equipment such as computers, printers, and copiers

Driving Required

No

Salary Range

$70,000-$75,000

Note

Connecticut College is committed to fair and competitive compensation. The final offer will reflect the candidate's experience, education, and the institution's pay structure to ensure internal equity.

Applicant Credentialing

Thorough applicant credentialing will be conducted on the selected candidate which will include criminal records check, DMV check and depending on the position psychological exam and pre-placement physical.


Posting Detail Information

Open Date

11/13/2025

Applications accepted through

Open Until Filled

Yes