Research Specialist (GIS Specialist)

Position Details

Position Information

Recruitment/Posting Title Research Specialist (GIS Specialist) Job Category Staff & Executive - Research (Laboratory/Non-Laboratory) Department Urban Policy Research Center Overview

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is a leading national research university and the State of New Jersey's preeminent, comprehensive public institution of higher education. As one of the largest employers in the State of New Jersey, Rutgers University is committed not only to the students and the State that we serve, but also to the faculty and staff who work on our campuses.

The Center for Urban Policy Research (CUPR) works to make human settlements more equitable, sustainable, resilient, and healthy through research, public engagement, education and other forms of capacity-building. CUPR is an umbrella center that combines the former Bloustein stand-alone Center for Urban Policy Research with the former Rutgers Center for Green Building (RCGB), Environmental Analysis and Communication Group (EAC), Center for Energy Environmental and Economic Policy (CEEEP), and Bloustein Center for Local Government Research. This merger creates strong capabilities for addressing today's challenges in a collaborative and multidisciplinary fashion. These challenges include climate change adaptation and mitigation, coastal hazards, environmental justice, a healthier built environment, sustainable energy transition, and technological transformations affecting daily life and local governance.

Posting Summary

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is seeking a Research Specialist (GIS Specialist) for the Center for Urban Policy Research (CUPR). Reporting to the Associate Director of the Center for Urban Policy Research (CUPR), the Research Specialist (GIS Specialist) position is responsible for supporting the data management, analysis, and visualization efforts within the Center's Data Informatics Group (DIG) and for the NJ Climate Change Resource Center, which is also under the directorship of the Associate Director. This position is responsible for supporting the development of data analysis efforts for the NJADAPT Program, which focuses on developing new datasets, analysis efforts, and visualizations to support the various web applications utilizing interactive web-mapping, analytical tools, and data-driven snapshots/dashboards around the impacts of climate change on New Jersey. In addition, the Research Specialist (GIS Specialist) position will take a role in a grant-funded project from the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, leading the development of datasets and analytical workflows among a team of full-time and graduate student employees to support the statewide hazard mitigation planning efforts. As a member of the Data Informatics Group at CUPR, the Research Specialist (GIS Specialist) will provide support to a multitude of projects across various disciplines, working with research faculty and supporting the development of analytical methodologies and visualizations to meet the diverse needs of the unit's stakeholders.

Overall, the position will be responsible for the entire life cycle of data within the two programs and will have three primary focuses: data management, data analysis, and data visualization. Data management responsibilities will focus on adhering to a data management protocol to maintain and expand the large sets of spatial and tabular data that are utilized by the NJADAPT and OEM programs; ensuring that data remains up-to-date, has complete and appropriate metadata and documentation, procedures for integrating new datasets, and publication of datasets for use in applications and public access. Data analysis responsibilities will focus on the analytical efforts, both spatial and statistical, needed to develop new and potentially innovative datasets that provide insight into the potential impacts of climate change on various demographic, environmental, industry-specific, or critical infrastructure assets in New Jersey; develop documentation for these datasets and their methodologies; and perform research into new analysis techniques and domains to propose new avenues of data analysis for these program. Data visualization responsibilities will focus on developing appropriate data visualizations for both spatial and database-driven datasets that will be incorporated into various public informatics applications developed for these programs, ensuring that these visualizations support the communication of data to stakeholders to support understanding and decision-making. This position will work among a team of faculty and staff within these two programs and will be expected to participate in various project meetings, providing their knowledge and expertise to support project efforts, and present data and applications to various stakeholders.

Among the key duties of the position are the following:

• Supports data analysis and visualization efforts within the NJ Climate Change Resource Center and the Center for Urban Policy Research and their associated projects.
• Researches and develops new datasets, analyses and visualizations to support the development of guidance, tools and actionable science to stakeholders.
• Develops and documents methodologies utilized, reviews and conducts QA/QC of results, and disseminates data and methodologies to team members and stakeholders as appropriate.
• Supports the development of the geospatial data analysis arm of the Data Informatics Group.
• Assists in the development of new and innovative analytical techniques and visualizations to advance applied research efforts at the University, supporting sponsored research and external stakeholder partnerships.
• Collaborates with the application development arm of the Data Informatics Group to integrate new data analysis and visualizations into interactive, data-driven informatics platforms that communicate scientific data and information to stakeholders and decision-makers.
• Supports the development and implementation of data management protocols for the CUPR Data Informatics Group and NJ Climate Change Resource Center's NJADAPT program.
• Ensures all existing and new datasets conform to the protocol requirements, having complete and accurate metadata and documentation, appropriate data fields, and are published to Center and University standards.
• Supports Data Informatics Group staff in coordinating with various project teams to learn about data science needs and develop work plans for meeting those needs.
• Networks with other data science professionals throughout the university and with stakeholder and professional groups outside the university.
• Develops new skills and techniques through professional development opportunities in order to expand the analytical offerings of CUPR Data Informatics Group to its stakeholders.
• Assists in developing research papers, journal articles, and other written work products to conduct outreach and publicize the work completed on projects.

FLSA Exempt Grade 05 Salary Details Minimum Salary 71447.000 Mid Range Salary 90435.000 Maximum Salary 109422.000 Offer Information

The final salary offer may be determined by several factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate's qualifications, experience, and expertise, and availability of department or grant funds to support the position. We also take into consideration market benchmarks, if and when appropriate, and internal equity to ensure fair compensation relative to the university's broader compensation structure. We are committed to offering competitive and flexible compensation packages to attract and retain top talent.

Benefits

Rutgers provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. The specific benefits vary based on the position and may include:

• Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage
• Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs
• Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options
• Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable)
• Life insurance coverage
• Employee discount programs

Position Status Full Time Working Hours Standard Hours 37.50 Daily Work Shift Work Arrangement

Consistent with the current application of Rutgers Policy 60.3.22 or the applicable provisions of relevant collective negotiations agreements, this position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Flexible work arrangements are not permanent, subject to change or discontinuation, and contingent on the employee receiving approval in the FlexWork@RU Application System.

Union Description Admin Assembly (MPSC) Payroll Designation PeopleSoft Seniority Unit Terms of Appointment Staff - 12 month Position Pension Eligibility ABP

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

• Master's degree in planning, public policy, public informatics, data science, data informatics, geography, statistics, or other related field with geographic information systems components; or Bachelor's degree in a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience that demonstrates knowledge and understanding of geographic information systems (GIS) and spatial datasets, plus at least 2 years of experience working in a GIS-related field.

Certifications/Licenses Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Experience using geographic information systems (GIS) and spatial datasets
• Experience documenting datasets, including the creation of metadata or methodology documents.
• Ability to work independently, develop analytical approaches and work plans, and utilize best practices for data creation and management.
• Knowledge of ESRI ArcGIS platform, including ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online.
• Organization, analytical thinking, communication, and independent judgement.
• Ability to research new techniques or skillsets to accomplish project data goals.
• Ability to weigh different approaches and options and develop a defensible strategy for approaches taken.
• Ability to communicate decisions and outcomes to project teams and external stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with analytical toolkits such as Spatial Analyst and Spatial Statistics.
• Experience utilizing Python scripting to automate GIS analytical workflows.
• Experience with ESRI based development platforms such as Experience Builder and StoryMaps.
• Experience working with datasets related to climate change, demographics, planning, and environmental data.
• Experience in statistical analysis using a software platform such as ESRI Geostatistical Analyst, Stata, SAS, or others.
• Experience utilizing machine learning techniques to develop explanatory or predictive models for spatial datasets.

Equipment Utilized

• ESRI ArcGIS software platform, Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and work/team management software such as Gitlab and Slack.

Physical Demands and Work Environment Special Conditions

• This is a grant-funded position contingent upon available funding.

Posting Details

Posting Number 26ST1531 Posting Open Date 07/15/2026 Special Instructions to Applicants Regional Campus Rutgers University-New Brunswick Home Location Campus Downtown New Brunswick City New Brunswick State NJ Location Details

Pre-employment Screenings

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screenings.

Immunization Requirements

Under Policy 100.3.1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals, if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply. Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption from the University will result in rescission of a candidate's offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we encourage all qualified applicants to apply. For additional information please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/non-discrimination-statement

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• • Do you have a Master's degree in planning, public policy, public informatics, data science, data informatics, geography, statistics, or other related field with geographic information systems components; or Bachelor's degree in a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience that demonstrates knowledge and understanding of geographic information systems (GIS) and spatial datasets, plus at least 2 years of experience working in a GIS-related field?

• Yes

• No

• • Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H-1B, TN, O-1, OPT/CPT sponsorship, or other work authorization sponsorship) to work legally in the United States?

• Yes

• No

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter/Letter of Application

Optional Documents

• List of Professional References (contact Info)