GIS Analyst — Information Technologist II

Michigan State University Extension is committed to fostering a welcoming and collaborative environment, which requires all staff to contribute toward a vision for success regardless of title or position within the organization. We strive to create a positive culture, access to resources, and a sense of belonging for staff, partners, and programming participants. This means that all staff at MSU Extension are dedicated to the following:

• We work together to ensure that programming is available to all audiences, creates meaningful and positive impacts for participants, and demonstrates partnership and collaboration across communities.

GIS Analyst

As part of MSU Extension (MSUE), the Community, Food and Environment Institute (CFEI), and the Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI), this position will work closely with the Geographic Information System (GIS)/Information Technology (IT) team to facilitate biodiversity related modeling and management of spatial data that supports MNFI research projects.

The MNFI maintains Michigan's Natural Heritage Database, documenting rare species and natural communities and providing critical information that supports regulatory, conservation, land management, and research decisions. Spatial modeling, GIS analysis, and biodiversity data management are central to MNFI's work and its partnerships with state, federal, local, and private organizations.

In this role, you will serve as a senior information technology professional and technical lead supporting enterprise GIS infrastructure, biodiversity information systems, spatial data services, and conservation decision-support tools. You will provide leadership for the design, implementation, integration, maintenance, and advancement of complex GIS and biodiversity information systems used by MNFI staff and agency partners.

Responsibilities include advanced geospatial analysis, database administration, application development, systems integration, cloud-based GIS solutions, and strategic technology planning. You will lead complex GIS and biodiversity data management projects, serve as a technical resource for staff and partners, ensure data quality and system performance, evaluate emerging technologies, develop enterprise workflows, and support conservation, regulatory, and research initiatives throughout Michigan and the Great Lakes region.

This position will be housed at the MNFI office located in Lansing, Michigan, within a secure State of Michigan building.

This is an off-dated position funded for one year from the date of hire with possible extension contingent upon funding renewal.

• We work together to ensure that programming is available to all audiences, creates meaningful and positive impacts for participants, and demonstrates partnership and collaboration across communities.

We understand that a welcoming and respectful environment is built through the efforts of everyone. We foster an environment that welcomes a broad range of perspectives and exper iences, ensuring that all individuals have the opportunity to contribute and thrive. We ensure that every team member is prepared with the skills and resources to contribute to our welcoming and supportive culture.

We foster an environment that values a range of perspectives, skills, and experiences by working to ensure access to programming for communities. We commit to continuous learning and engagement to better serve Michigan residents and meet the evolving needs of communities. We re cognize that broad accessibility and collaboration are essential elements of our work and are vital to organizational and programmatic success.

We embrace a culture of understanding, coaching, and feedback toward achieving a vision of success for the entire organization and its staff. Together we will achieve success, and we commit to these goals in our work, continued education, and ongoing efforts.

• Acts as a lead in the design, modification, implementation, an d integration of complex geospatial tools and databases, biodiversity information systems and database support software with little oversight and few questions regarding the resolution of problems.
• Serve as primary technical resource regarding geospatial and biodiversity database design, performance optimization, and system integration.
• Develop and maintain database architecture, data models, indexing strategies, and data governance…