Research Specialist (GIS Specialist)

Posting Summary

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is seeking a Research Specialist (GIS Specialist) for the Center for Urban Policy Research (CUPR). Reporting to the Associate Director of the Center for Urban Policy Research (CUPR), the Research Specialist (GIS Specialist) position is responsible for supporting the data management, analysis, and visualization efforts within the Center’s Data Informatics Group (DIG) and for the NJ Climate Change Resource Center, which is also under the directorship of the Associate Director. This position is responsible for supporting the development of data analysis efforts for the NJADAPT Program, which focuses on developing new datasets, analysis efforts, and visualizations to support the various web applications utilizing interactive web-mapping, analytical tools, and data-driven snapshots/dashboards around the impacts of climate change on New Jersey. In addition, the Research Specialist (GIS Specialist) position will take a role in a grant-funded project from the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, leading the development of datasets and analytical workflows among a team of full-time and graduate student employees to support the statewide hazard mitigation planning efforts. As a member of the Data Informatics Group at CUPR, the Research Specialist (GIS Specialist) will provide support to a multitude of projects across various disciplines, working with research faculty and supporting the development of analytical methodologies and visualizations to meet the diverse needs of the unit’s stakeholders.

Overall, the position will be responsible for the entire life cycle of data within the two programs and will have three primary focuses: data management, data analysis, and data visualization. Data management responsibilities will focus on adhering to a data management protocol to maintain and expand the large sets of spatial and tabular data that are utilized by the NJADAPT and OEM programs; ensuring that data remains up-to-date, has complete and appropriate metadata and documentation, procedures for integrating new datasets, and publication of datasets for use in applications and public access. Data analysis responsibilities will focus on the analytical efforts, both spatial and statistical, needed to develop new and potentially innovative datasets that provide insight into the potential impacts of climate change on various demographic, environmental, industry-specific, or critical infrastructure assets in New Jersey; develop documentation for these datasets and their methodologies; and perform research into new analysis techniques and domains to propose new avenues of data analysis for these program. Data visualization responsibilities will focus on developing appropriate data visualizations for both spatial and database-driven datasets that will be incorporated into various public informatics applications developed for these programs, ensuring that these visualizations support the communication of data to stakeholders to support understanding and decision-making. This position will work among a team of faculty and staff within these two programs and will be expected to participate in various project meetings, providing their knowledge and expertise to support project efforts, and present data and applications to various stakeholders.

Among the key duties of the position are the following:

• Supports data analysis and visualization efforts within the NJ Climate Change Resource Center and the Center for Urban Policy Research and their associated projects.
• Researches and develops new datasets, analyses and visualizations to support the development of guidance, tools and actionable science to stakeholders.
• Develops and documents methodologies utilized, reviews and conducts QA/QC of results, and disseminates data and methodologies to team members and stakeholders as appropriate.
• Supports the development of the geospatial data analysis arm of the Data Informatics Group.
• Assists in the development of new and innovative analytical techniques and visualizations to advance applied research efforts at the University, supporting sponsored research and external stakeholder partnerships.
• Collaborates with the application development arm of the Data Informatics Group to integrate new data analysis and visualizations into interactive, data-driven informatics platforms that communicate scientific data and information to stakeholders and decision-makers.
• Supports the development and implementation of data management protocols for the CUPR Data Informatics Group and NJ Climate Change Resource Center’s NJADAPT program.
• Ensures all existing and new datasets conform to the protocol requirements, having complete and accurate metadata and documentation, appropriate data fields, and are published to Center and University standards.
• Supports Data Informatics Group staff in coordinating with various project teams to learn about data science needs and develop work plans for meeting those needs.
• Networks with other data science professionals throughout the university and with stakeholder and professional groups outside the university.
• Develops new skills and techniques through professional development opportunities in order to expand the analytical offerings of CUPR Data Informatics Group to its stakeholders.
• Assists in developing research papers, journal articles, and other written work products to conduct outreach and publicize the work completed on projects.

FLSA Exempt Grade 05 Salary Details Minimum Salary 71447.000 Mid Range Salary 90435.000 Maximum Salary 109422.000 Offer Information The final salary offer may be determined by several factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and expertise, and availability of department or grant funds to support the position. We also take into consideration market benchmarks, if and when appropriate, and internal equity to ensure fair compensation relative to the university’s broader compensation structure. We are committed to offering competitive and flexible compensation packages to attract and retain top talent. Benefits Rutgers provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. The specific benefits vary based on the position and may include:

• Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage
• Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs
• Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options
• Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable)
• Life insurance coverage
• Employee discount programs

Position Status Full Time Working Hours Standard Hours 37.50 Daily Work Shift Work Arrangement Consistent with the current application of Rutgers Policy 60.3.22 or the applicable provisions of relevant collective negotiations agreements, this position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Flexible work arrangements are not permanent, subject to change or discontinuation, and contingent on the employee receiving approval in the FlexWork@RU Application System. Union Description Admin Assembly (MPSC) Payroll Designation PeopleSoft Seniority Unit Terms of Appointment Staff - 12 month Position Pension Eligibility ABP Qualifications Minimum Education and Experience

• Master’s degree in planning, public policy, public informatics, data science, data informatics, geography, statistics, or other related field with geographic information systems components; or Bachelor’s degree in a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience that demonstrates knowledge and understanding of geographic information systems (GIS) and spatial datasets, plus at least 2 years of experience working in a GIS-related field.

Certifications/Licenses Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Experience using geographic information systems (GIS) and spatial datasets
• Experience documenting datasets, including the creation of metadata or methodology documents.
• Ability to work independently, develop analytical approaches and work plans, and utilize best practices for data creation and management.
• Knowledge of ESRI ArcGIS platform, including ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online.
• Organization, analytical thinking, communication, and independent judgement.
• Ability to research new techniques or skillsets to accomplish project data goals.
• Ability to weigh different approaches and options and develop a defensible strategy for approaches taken.
• Ability to communicate decisions and outcomes to project teams and external stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with analytical toolkits such as Spatial Analyst and Spatial Statistics.
• Experience utilizing Python scripting to automate GIS analytical workflows.
• Experience with ESRI based development platforms such as Experience Builder and StoryMaps.
• Experience working with datasets related to climate change, demographics, planning, and environmental data.
• Experience in statistical analysis using a software platform such as ESRI Geostatistical Analyst, Stata, SAS, or others.
• Experience utilizing machine learning techniques to develop explanatory or predictive models for spatial datasets.

Equipment Utilized

• ESRI ArcGIS software platform, Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and work/team management software such as Gitlab and Slack.

Physical Demands and Work Environment Special Conditions

• This is a grant-funded position contingent upon available funding.