GIS Analyst & Designer

Job Title: GIS Analyst & Designer 

Department: Trail Construction and Maintenance 

Reports to: Director of Soft Surface Development 

Location: Bentonville, AR (In-Person) 

Salary Range: $65,000 – $80,000 annually 

Who We Are 

Trailblazers is a nonprofit organization based in Northwest Arkansas dedicated to building world-class trails, advancing active transportation, and fostering healthier, more connected communities. We design, build, and maintain soft-surface trails, paved paths, and bike infrastructure that help make this region one of the best places in the country to ride and live.  

Our team is collaborative, mission-driven, and passionate about the impact trails have on quality of life. We work in a fast-moving environment and value people who bring initiative, organization, and ownership to their roles. 

Job Description 

The GIS Analyst & Designer supports the planning, visualization, and documentation of Trailblazers’ soft-surface trail development projects through high-quality mapping, spatial analysis, and visual design. 

Working closely with the Director of Soft Surface Development, this role translates trail concepts into clear, compelling graphics and maps used for fundraising proposals, partner presentations, and early project planning. The position plays an important role in helping funders, municipalities, and land partners understand proposed trail projects through professional visualization and spatial storytelling. 

This role also supports Trailblazers’ GIS infrastructure by collecting GPS data in the field, maintaining trail datasets, managing spatial databases, and producing maps and analysis that support project planning, reporting, and organizational decision-making. 

The position includes both office-based work and fieldwork. Fieldwork may involve collecting GPS data in undeveloped landscapes prior to trail construction and documenting completed trail alignments after projects are built. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Collect and process GPS data to document proposed trail corridors and completed trail alignments. 

• Maintain Trailblazers’ GIS trail database, ensuring data accuracy through quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC). 

• Conduct spatial analysis related to trail systems, trail mileage, and project activity to support planning and funder reporting. 

• Develop and maintain interactive GIS tools using ArcGIS Online, including Dashboards, StoryMaps, and Experience Builder. 

• Produce high-quality maps and graphics that communicate proposed trail concepts to funders, partners, and stakeholders. 

• Translate trail concepts and alignments into clear visual maps and proposal-ready graphics. 

• Prepare thematic maps and visual materials for presentations, grant applications, reports, and public communication. 

• Maintain Survey123 surveys used to log work activities completed by trail crews and Trailblazers volunteers. 

• Support project presentations and materials used when proposing new projects to municipalities, agencies, and philanthropic organizations. 

• Stay current with evolving GIS technologies and support internal staff in using GIS tools when appropriate. 

• Perform other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in GIS, Geography, Landscape Architecture, Environmental Planning, Graphic Design, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience. 

• Minimum of three (3) years of professional experience working with GIS, including spatial analysis, data management, and cartography. 

• Strong ability to produce high-quality printed and digital maps that effectively communicate spatial information. 

• Experience with GIS platforms such as ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online. 

• Experience with ArcGIS Online applications including Map Viewer, Survey123, FieldMaps, Dashboards, StoryMaps, or Experience Builder preferred. 

• Strong graphic design skills and experience producing polished visual materials for presentations or publications. 

• Understanding of GPS technology and best practices for field data collection. 

• Experience collecting GPS data using field equipment in outdoor environments preferred. 

• Knowledge or demonstrated interest in scripting languages such as SQL, Python, or Arcade preferred. 

• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. 

• Ability to translate complex spatial data into clear visuals for non-technical audiences. 

• Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams. 

• Interest in trails, outdoor recreation, or landscape-based projects preferred. 

Physical Requirements 

• Ability to sit for extended periods while working on a computer. 

• Ability to hike off-trail through dense vegetation, wooded areas, uneven terrain, and steep slopes. 

• Comfort working outdoors where exposure to insects, ticks, snakes, and varying weather conditions may occur. 

• Ability to walk long distances while carrying GPS or field equipment. 

• Ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. 

Benefits & Perks 

• 33 days of paid time off annually 

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance 

• Life, AD&D, short-term and long-term disability coverage 

• 401(k) retirement plan with a 6% employer match 

• Access to outdoor industry discounts