Geographic Information Systems Specialist

Ball State University

Muncie, IN

Job posting number: #7151658 (Ref:BSU37499)

Posted: June 2, 2023

Application Deadline: Open Until Filled

Job Description

Develop and lead reference, instructional, and consultation services for students, faculty, and community members pertaining to the use of geospatial data, including application software for remote sensing, cartography, and geographic information systems (GIS); administer GIS licenses for Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) software campus-wide; develop University-wide and regional digital scholarship programming events surrounding GIS research; support an inclusive, diverse, and collaborative work environment and service culture to advance the strategic direction of the University Libraries.

If you enjoy working in a vibrant service environment using GIS to energize learning, research, and digital scholarship, this job could be right for you! Ball State University Libraries is searching for a talented collaborator to be the next Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Specialist. You will have a major impact on students and faculty, leading support for complex GIS solutions used by over 100 students daily and over 2,200 students and faculty annually, from over 23 academic departments and programs. This position manages Ball State’s ESRI ArcGIS and Hexagon ERDAS solution licenses and software, and significant GIS datasets. The Libraries’ GIS support is very robust and includes StoryMaps and datasets. Today, over 27,000 items exist in the Ball State ArcGIS account! The Libraries is at the center of the campus experience for members of the Ball State community, and we invite you to consider joining us in our mission to create “transformative experiences for diverse communities of learners.”

Job Function:

Develop and lead reference, instructional, and consultation services for students, faculty, and community members pertaining to the use of geospatial data, including application software for remote sensing, cartography, and geographic information systems (GIS); administer GIS licenses for Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) software campus-wide; develop University-wide and regional digital scholarship programming events surrounding GIS research; support an inclusive, diverse, and collaborative work environment and service culture to advance the strategic direction of the University Libraries.

Minimum Education:

Bachelor’s degree or higher in geography, geology, natural resources, computer science, or management information systems or related field.

Preferred Education:

Master’s degree in geography, geology, natural resources, computer science, management information systems, or related field; MLS/MLIS degree from an ALA accredited program.

Minimum Experience:

Over one through three years of experience involving GIS support and training along with graphics application support and management.

Preferred Experience:

Experience with promoting GIS and graphics applications for use in education and research; hold one or more training certifications from ESRI or another GIS association.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Provide, develop, and evaluate reference and research consultation services for students, faculty, researchers, and community members regarding GIS research methodologies and technology use; serve as collaborative research partner supporting faculty conducting digital scholarship projects pertaining to data mapping and visualization.
  • Provide leadership supporting campus-wide geospatial technology implementation, updates, maintenance, and permission control; administer software site license contracts for all geospatial software used on campus.
  • Design, develop, and lead instruction sessions for Ball State University students and other learners regarding effective GIS research and GIS software use to support information literacy and digital scholarship literacy learning outcomes.
  • Develop, organize, and lead educational and instructional digital scholarship programming events regarding mapping and data visualization, including University Libraries workshops and other related GIS programming events.
  • Serve as the systems administrator for GIS Research and Map Collection (GRMC) in the University Libraries by maintaining the facility’s hardware and software pertaining to GIS research.
  • Actively participate in and positively contribute to the activities of the Libraries, university, and profession through such opportunities as related professional organizations, presentations, committee service, publication, etc.; keep abreast of professional literature and scholarly developments in areas of specialization and pursue opportunities for relevant professional development.
  • Perform other related duties as assigned.


At Ball State University, we recognize inclusive excellence as an integral endeavor to fulfill our University’s mission and our strategic plan. We recruit, support, and retain a diverse population of students, faculty, and staff. We encourage and reward diversity of thought. We promote a work environment that encourages and rewards innovation and creativity. We pledge to keep Inclusive Excellence at the highest level of institutional importance and as a foundation in all that we strive to do. Our over-arching goal for Inclusive Excellence is to adopt a university-wide Inclusive Excellence approach to academic, administrative support, and service functions of the university. We believe Inclusive Excellence must be infused in every step we take.


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More Info

Job posting number:#7151658 (Ref:BSU37499)
Application Deadline:Open Until Filled
Employer Location:Ball State University
Muncie,Indiana
United States
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