Graduate Research Assistant - Geography; Fall

Graduate Research Assistant - Geography (Fall 2025 - Spring 2026)

Apply now Job no: 497479
Work type: Graduate Research Assistant
Location: Jacksonville, AL (Main Campus)
Categories: Student Employment

Department: ArcGIS Pro

Position Summary:

A Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) in the Geography Department under the supervision of the faculty and/or staff, may include assisting faculty and/or staff, as well as other academic support duties, and departmental operational needs, and other associated and clerical duties as assigned.

Positions will be filled based on individual applicant’s skills, qualification, and departmental needs.

If you choose to apply for employment as a graduate student at JSU, your transcripts and letters of recommendation will be reviewed by personnel from the units who have posted a graduate administrative assistantship position.

Compensation:

Graduate Research Assistants are expected to work 20 hours per week during a fall or spring semester, or a full summer term (May, June, and July).

$12.00 per hour with a maximum of 20 hours per week for a total of 16 weeks. Student pay is disbursed biweekly and is based on the number of hours worked; students must clock in and clock out for each shift. Biweekly payroll over the course of the term.

In addition to an hourly rate, Graduate Research Assistantships carry a scholarship each semester up to the max award of $4,386.00. The scholarship award covers the general university fee and tuition. Students are responsible for additional fees such as international, program, and course fees. Students enrolled in specialty priced programs may owe a remaining balance after scholarship award.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• The duties for the GRA are to conduct a trail inventory and trail condition survey for the Alabama Trails Foundation (ATF). The individuals will be responsible for collecting GPS data for trail routing including notable inconsistencies, structural and/or environmental issues (i.e. trail erosion, litter, signage, and other trail features) on 13 sections of the Pinhoti Trail.
• Individuals will work with a team, compiling notes and locations and reporting findings back to faculty and ATF personnel on a timely basis. The GRA will assist with field data collection and GIS analysis.
• Duties include traveling to a field site and working in various weather conditions. Training will be provided.
• Specific tasks include the ability to work with Trimble GPS devices to collect data, process data with ArcGIS and transfer data to Alabama Trails Foundation, suggest methods to improve data collection, and return to problem sites and assess changes over time.
• Essential competencies include experience with ArcGIS/ArcPRO and the ability to work outdoors for extended time periods in various weather conditions.
• Applicants should be able to multi-task, work independently, follow instruction, effectively communicate instructions to others, and manage multiple volunteer groups.
• Additional duties as required by the department.

Graduate Assistantship

Qualifications:

• Must be classified as a degree-seeking graduate student at JSU.
• Must be actively enrolled in a graduate degree program at JSU during the assistantship semester.
• If a new student, must be admitted to a degree program.
• Must be actively enrolled in required coursework towards the degree. The Graduate Assistantship will not pay for courses that are not in the degree program plan of study/checklist.

Note:

If a student is classified as a graduate student and is required to take undergraduate courses for the graduate degree (foundation courses, undergraduate deficiency courses, etc.), the Graduate Assistantship will only pay for these courses if they are documented as required courses via memo from the student’s advisor to the Director of Graduate Studies.

• Must hold the minimum required GPA for the student’s enrolled degree program.
• During the assistantship semester, must be enrolled at JSU in six to nine (6-9) graduate semester hours in a fall or spring semester or six to nine (6-9) graduate semester hours in a full summer term. (Full summer term = May, June, and July). An exception to this requirement may be made by the…