Pay Grade/Pay Range:  Minimum: $53,500 - Midpoint: $66,900 (Salaried E8)

Department/Organization: 750502 - Global Water Security Center

Normal Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm

Note to Applicants: Position is eligible for remote work subject to University policy. 

Job Summary: The Cartographer is responsible for creating accurate and detailed maps using various tools, techniques, and geographic data. You will collaborate with other professionals such as surveyors, geographers, and GIS specialists to ensure the precision and reliability of the maps produced.

Additional Department Summary: The Global Water Security Center (GWSC) seeks a cartographer passionate about addressing global environmental challenges in the real world by turning complex information into compelling visual stories. The candidate will conceptualize, through multiple ways, the display of maps and information of environmental drivers such as drought, heat, and flooding. We’re looking for a candidate with experience acquiring and assessing geospatial data from various sources, including government agencies, satellite imagery providers, and open data repositories.

This position will undertake careful design and preparation of maps, charts, and spatial information databases. Their products will tell the story about the water supply, food, energy, and health around the world in order to educate policy and decision makers. Applicant should be a self-starter, analytically creative, willing to brainstorm, and inquisitive.

GWSC is an applied research and operational center commissioned to respond to our nation’s need for water and environmental security insights. GWSC will inform national security partners and others with global interests in water and environmental security. Our partners will include the Department of Defense (DoD), other US Government agencies, private companies, and data producers from federal agencies and academia.

Continuation in this position is contingent upon availability of external funding derived from research programs or specific projects.

Required Minimum Qualifications: Bachelors degree and some experience in cartography, GIS, geography, or environmental studies.

Skills and Knowledge: Experience applying cartographic design principles, including principles of color, design theory, typography, map projections, thematic and statistical mapping, topographic and reference mapping, visual hierarchies, topography, and data generation. Experience evaluating and summarizing complex data from different sources. Ability to work closely with data analysts and scientists to define analysis questions. Strong proficiency in GIS software such as Esri ArcGIS Pro, 3D GIS, ArcGIS Online, ESRI Developer Platforms or QGIS. Strong proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, Premiere, and Flash). Strong written and verbal communications skills. Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with a keen attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications: Prefer three (3) years of experience creating cartographic products with local government, nonprofit programs, school or in job-related duties. Experience with other professional cartography tools to include, but not limited to: ERDAS; RemoteView; ENVI; and SOCET GXP. Experience with Apple Final Cut Pro X, Map Publisher, and any other interactive graphics enablers, languages, or tools. Experience with programming languages such as Python or R is a plus. Experience in web development or familiarity with data visualization tools.

Background Investigation Statement: Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made.

About University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa

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