Job Title: GIS Specialist

Department: Plant Science & Conservation  

Reports To: Curator of Living Collections

Supervises: Mapping & Plant Records Volunteers and Interns

FLSA Salary Classification: Non-Exempt

Revision Date: September 13, 2024

Availability: Primary schedule of standard business hours with occasional evening and weekend availability required to support the department and organizational needs. Ability to work a flexible schedule, occasional extended work hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Position Summary: 

This position is responsible for creating and maintaining the spatial data (maps) relevant to the Garden’s living collections documentation using industry best practices to ensure utility for internal and external stakeholders. This position functions as an organizational GIS administrator and coordinates, develops, and documents mapping workflows in alignment with the HBG Living Collections Policy and the Plant Science and Conservation Strategy of Huntsville Botanical Garden. Maintains the geodatabase of record including accurate base map, utilities, and infrastructure data. This role is highly collaborative, but the successful candidate should feel comfortable researching and producing maps independently.

Essential Functions:

• Collaborates with Plant Recorder to collect and integrate location and attribute data from multiple sources into the geodatabase of record.
• Accountable for leading projects to inventory, survey, and map plant collections, physical assets, and infrastructure throughout the Garden, collaborating with staff and volunteers to accomplish initiatives
• Convert GPS field data and other data sources into appropriate GIS format, and incorporate data into new or existing GIS layers. 
• Organize, update, and maintain GIS geodatabases, shapefiles and various data files for easier access and retrieval of information. 
• Create and present orientation and training documents for mapping and Garden areas for staff and volunteers
• Produce map products, both digital and printed, as needed for grant reports, metrics, and to support staff in multiple departments.
• Troubleshoot technology and QA/QC data to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the geodatabase of record and generate metrics on plant collections and outdoor infrastructure.
• Responsible for co-authoring Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and updating the documentation of plant records workflows for the life of an accession in collections at HBG, including living collections on site in display gardens or the nursery.
• Create interactive Story Map customizations with HTML/CSS and performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

A bachelor’s degree in natural resources, data science or other GIS related discipline and 3+ months of experience using GIS in a professional setting required. Fluency in ArcGIS/Pro/Online and computer skills in database management, word processing, and collections management through computer-aided programs are required. The successful candidate will demonstrate excellent skills in writing and public speaking and have a strong interest in and significant knowledge of native plants and issues related to botany, horticulture, conservation, urban forestry, and ecology.

Success Factors:

• A commitment to, and ability to effectively convey, the Garden’s mission of connecting people with plants with genuine passion that also embraces and exemplifies the Garden’s core values. 
• Exceptional time-management skills with the ability to drive multiple initiatives simultaneously. 
• Passion and ability to problem solve and demonstrate technical knowledge in geospatial science and the Garden’s role in scientific advancement of plant science. 
• Ability to integrate spatial analyses with the broad range of activities and programs at the Garden. 
• Ability to translate technical terminology to comprehendible language for both visitors and mass media. 

Preferred Qualifications:

Industry accepted certifications demonstrating GIS proficiency and 1+ year experience in a professional setting preferred. Coding experience in Python or SQL is helpful.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  

• Physical Demands: Requires occasional physical activity including lifting and carrying (up to 30 lbs.) and frequently traverses over varied terrain and traveling by vehicles and on foot. Sense of touch and the ability to wear Personal Protective Equipment required. 
• Work Environment: Office environment and Garden grounds. Work is performed indoors and outdoors, in all weather conditions. 
• Equipment: GPS, GIS, general office equipment, two-way radio, Garden pick-up truck, cart, horticultural tools. 
• Some travel required.

Job descriptions are guidelines that attempt to characterize essential functions and responsibilities of a job and are subject to change as needs and programs change. At Huntsville Botanical Garden job descriptions are considered neither inclusive nor exclusive. It is expected that up to 20% of your duties may change annually. 

Employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship. 

The Huntsville Botanical Garden supports a culture of inclusion that attracts, inspires, and engages people to achieve success. The Garden is committed to hire and develop employees based on job-related qualifications irrespective of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or veteran status. To increase diversity in professions related to the public garden realm, we encourage applications from underrepresented minorities, persons with disabilities, and veterans.