Geospatial Information Librarian

Position Overview

The University of California, Riverside (UCR) seeks a forward‑thinking Geospatial Information Librarian to advance geospatial literacy and research in multiple disciplines. This position offers an opportunity to support both established and emerging uses of geospatial data and technology at a dynamic campus located near the headquarters of Esri, the geographic information systems (GIS) industry leader. Working as a member of the highly collaborative Research Services Department, the Geospatial Information Librarian will develop and implement strategies to support campus users of geospatial data, tools, and methods.

They will play a critical role in supporting advancements in research and in educating patrons on the use of GIS, and will engage in outreach to students, faculty, staff, and community members across multiple disciplines.

• Provide assistance regarding the use of geospatial data and technology in research and academic inquiry.
• Offer workshops and course‑related instruction on geospatial tools and methods.
• Organize innovative symposia related to GIS and its intersection with other technologies or disciplines, such as artificial intelligence (AI).
• Create collaborative alliances across campus and community to promote support for using geospatial methods in instruction, research, and workforce development.
• Collaborate with colleagues in data science, digital scholarship, AI research, innovative media, and maker services to better support geospatial elements of research and instruction.
• Maintain knowledge of best practices and developments in GIS, including data collection methods, accessibility, geospatial ethics, and the use of AI.
• Develop and update geospatial resource guides.
• Answer reference questions related to GIS and collaborate with library colleagues on GIS‑related reference services.
• Promote the library’s geospatial services and resources.
• Contribute to and collaborate in the ongoing development and care of assigned map‑related collections.
• Collaborate with library colleagues to develop and implement strategies to support the acquisition, management, curation, and preservation of GIS data.
• Participate in general library‑wide activities, committees, special projects and programs; represent the UCR Library in various University of California committees and ad‑hoc groups related to geospatial information.

• Master’s or doctoral degree from an ALA‑accredited Library & Information Science program, OR accredited graduate degree (Master’s or Ph.D.) in a field strongly integrated with geospatial information, OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience working with, and a working knowledge of, how geospatial data are created, processed, organized, and used.
• Demonstrated experience using GIS and mapping software such as ArcGIS and QGIS.
• Demonstrated interest in learning new skills and adapting to new technologies.
• Ability to effectively teach the use of GIS to students and faculty in an academic environment.
• Willingness to collaborate with industry partners such as Esri, and to foster connections with other local users and developers of geospatial technology.
• Fosters a respectful, cooperative, professional and courteous work environment.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks and projects, working cooperatively with others or independently.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work successfully with a broad range of people from culturally diverse backgrounds including colleagues, students, faculty, and staff from a variety of disciplines.

• Existing knowledge of, or intent to gain knowledge in, current and emerging trends, issues, workflows, and best practices associated with applications of AI in geospatial technology.
• Experience related to the use of AI in GIS (ArcGIS or other proprietary or open‑source GIS, or GIS‑related applications).
• Existing knowledge of, or interest in providing support for, the workflows for using imagery or…