How You’ll Contribute
The Storytelling team works to expand the organization’s impact through journalism, photography, film/video, web content, mapping, asset management, and data visualization. As one of the largest funders to individual storytellers in this work, it also identifies key grantmaking and fellowship opportunities with creative talent. Much of the team's programmatic activity is focused on identifying and building capacity for the next generation of diverse storytellers.The GIS Database Specialist will be a key contributor to the development and maintenance of National Geographic’s geospatial databases. You will work on the core foundational cartographic database of coastlines, drainage, boundaries, and populated places that serves as the base for all National Geographic map products. The role includes geospatial data research, vector and raster data manipulation and harmonization, and working with our GIS platform team to ensure best practices database structure. In addition, you will work with the Chief Cartographer and the rest of the Geography & Mapping team in the conception and creation of new databases to support our programmatic and storytelling work. The GIS Database Specialist will report to the Senior Director for Map Brand and Editorial.
Your Impact
Responsibilities Include
- Core geospatial database development and maintenance (50%): perform ongoing review of core geospatial database layers for currency and accuracy; implement tabular and geospatial updates and corrections to core layers in a versioned geospatial database environment; develop workflows to automate geospatial database maintenance; develop workflows to cartographically optimize and make core layers available to cartographic staff.
- Programmatic database development (20%): identify, evaluate, and acquire authoritative external datasets to augment core geospatial database; perform geoprocessing tasks to make programmatic data compatible with core geospatial database layers.
- Coordination with the GIS Platform team (15%): monitor geospatial database uptime; coordinate schema changes and confirm their correct implementation.
- Support for Geography & Mapping Group (10%): perform geoprocessing tasks for special projects; develop and style digital basemaps; perform editorial review of cartographic products; assist in monitoring data changes for National Geographic Map Policy.
- Professional development (5%): stay up to date on the latest GIS and cartographic standards, policies, and technologies related to geospatial databases.
What You’ll Bring
Educational Background
Bachelor’s degree in Geography or related field.
Minimum Years and Type of Experience
3+ years’ experience or demonstrated proficiency working with spatial databases
Necessary Knowledge and Skills
- Professional level knowledge of GIS and mapping software systems, must include Esri ArcGIS online and desktop applications
- Understanding of fundamental geospatial database concepts, including database schema, versioning, relationships, topology, generalization, and multiscale data representation
- Understanding of standard vector and raster data formats
- Excellent organization skills and the ability to handle multiple tasks
- Team oriented, but confident in the value of their own ideas, contribution, and role
Desired Qualifications
- Experience working on development of geospatial databases, including research and database design
- Experience with geospatial data analysis and processing
- Programming skills are a plus (Python in particular)
Supervision
No direct reports.
Salary Information
As a leading nonprofit organization, National Geographic Society offers competitive salary and total rewards to attract, develop, and retain an innovative and dynamic workforce.
The salary range for this position starts at $69,000.
Job Designation
Hybrid - At the Society, we believe in the advantages of coming together to build community, mentor and learn from colleagues, and connect more deeply with our mission. As a result, the majority of our staff are Hybrid. Our Hybrid category requires that staff work at Base Camp two days each week: every Wednesday plus either Tuesday or Thursday. Because we recognize that we can effectively work remotely, this designation has been updated to provide more flexibility, both in the days staff choose to come into the office and how often they are expected to be at Base Camp. And of course, Hybrid staff are also always welcome to come in additional days each week if they prefer.We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position. We are looking for someone with relevant skills and experience, not a checklist that exactly matches the job description. We want to help you grow and in return, you help us grow into a stronger, more inclusive organization.
