GIS Specialist

Job Title: GIS Specialist

Program: GIS Program

Employment Type: [X] Salary   [  ] Hourly (exempt – this position is not eligible for over-time)

                                   [  ] Part-time [X] Full-time

                                   [  ] Temporary [X] Regular

Reports to: GIS Director

Direct Reports to this position: None

Salary Range: $50,000 - $55,000

Location: Tucson, AZ - Hybrid

Is this position in the Bargaining Unit?  [ X ] Yes [   ] No
Job Classification: Scientist, Associate
*Because this position is in the Bargaining Unit, some fees may be required depending on where the candidate lives as a condition of employment.

How to apply: Please apply online by completing our application and submitting a cover letter, resume, and reference list. The position will remain open until filled. The desired start date is 2/23/2026. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted. No telephone calls, please.

ABOUT THE CENTER
The Center for Biological Diversity, a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, believes the welfare of human beings is deeply linked to nature — to the existence of a vast diversity of wild animals, plants and people. Because diversity has intrinsic value, and because its loss impoverishes society, we work to secure a future for all species, great and small, hovering on the brink of extinction. We do so through science, law, activism and creative media, with a focus on protecting the lands, waters and climate that humans, other species and all communities need to survive and thrive.

We want those who come after us to inherit a world where the wild is still alive.

POSITION SUMMARY
Science is woven into our advocacy work and informs our legal strategies, policy advocacy, campaigning and public education.
The GIS specialist uses spatial analysis and cartography to promote endangered species conservation and conduct scientific and factual research to support our campaigns and litigation. The position will involve working with a team of attorneys, communications specialists and advocates to protect endangered species across the United States. Much of this work will involve capturing data from non-spatial sources, heads-up digitizing, and generating metadata with other GIS tasks as the position evolves.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Data management and digitizing data from non-GIS sources, analysis, and mapping:
  • To build and curate a spatial database of species ranges and habitats to be used to define Pesticide Use Limitation Areas.
  • To support petitions to list species under the Endangered Species Act.
  • To support comments, administrative appeals and litigation opposing development projects and other activities that destroy endangered species habitat or degrade ecosystems.
  • For use in reports, websites or other media communicating the plight of endangered species and their habitats.
• Build relationships with key scientists, coalition partners and agency personnel to support data acquisition and campaigns to protect lands and species.
• Creation and updating of on-line, interactive maps through our internal ArcGIS Enterprise infrastructure.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Advanced degree in GIS, conservation biology, landscape ecology or related discipline - 3 years of experience may be substituted for an advanced degree.
• Experience and proficiency with ESRI software: ArcGIS Pro, Spatial Analysis tools, and ArcGIS Online.
• Excellent research, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication skills and writing scientific papers or reports.
• An ability to communicate complex ideas to a general audience.
• An ability to work well independently and as part of a team.
• Strong work ethic and time-management skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Familiarity with environmental law and policy.
• Scientific literacy and familiarity with conservation biology literature.
• Familiarity with Python, R, and FME.
• Familiarity with field mapping using mobile data collection technology.
• A demonstrated commitment to environmental protection.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Some travel to connect with partners and view endangered species habitats. Work is typically done in an office environment and requires long hours at the computer. The typical schedule is Monday-Friday, from 9-5.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The ideal candidate must be able to complete all physical requirements of this job with or without a reasonable accommodation. This is not a complete description of all workplace conditions, and conditions are subject to change per the Organization’s discretion.

Cognitive

Ability to process and analyze information: [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [X] Frequently  

Exchange accurate information: [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [X] Frequently  

Communicate and express oneself with others: [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [X] Frequently  

Interaction with other colleagues: [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [X] Frequently  

Interaction with the public/co-collaborators: [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [X] Frequently  

Physical

Reading (ingest data): [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [X] Frequently  

Working on a computer: [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [X] Frequently  

Typing: [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [X] Frequently  

Writing by hand: [  ] Rarely    [X] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Sitting: [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [X] Frequently  

Walking: [  ] Rarely    [X] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Standing: [  ] Rarely    [X] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Lift/Carry 0-25 lbs: [X] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Lift/Carry 25-75 lbs: [X] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Hiking: [  ] Rarely    [X] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Climbing up or down stairs: [  ] Rarely    [X] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently   (in office)

Bending: [  ] Rarely    [X] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently

Squatting: [  ] Rarely    [X] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Reaching overhead: [  ] Rarely    [X] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Repetitive motions: [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [X] Frequently  

Ability to drive: [X] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Location Conditions

In person required (versus remote work): [  ] Rarely    [X] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Travel required:  [  ] Rarely    [X] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Night or weekend work: [X] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Work in outdoor conditions: [  ] Rarely    [X] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Other? _________________ [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

BENEFITS (Subject to change—see Handbook for more details)
For regular staff working 30+ hours a week

• Fully paid medical premiums for staff, and greatly discounted for families.
• Fully paid dental and vision premiums for staff and their families.
• Generous employer contribution to HSA and HRA’s.
• Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA) provided for reimbursement of eligible wellness expenses.
• Center paid premiums for Short Term and Long-Term Disability provided for all staff.
• Center paid premiums for Basic Life Insurance for all staff.
• Discounted premiums for pet discount program.

For all regular staff

• 403(b) plan with employer match and increasing employer paid contributions.
• Generous time off policies, including 13 paid holidays per year and 5 “personal” days awarded each year.
• Vacation accrual starts at a rate of 15 days annually, but it may be higher commensurate with experience, and paid sick days accrue at a rate of 10 days per year.
• Center Paid Time Off for parental leave, personal leave, caretaker leave and even pet caretaker leave.
• After 5 years of service, all employees receive a 12-week paid sabbatical.
• Relaxed work atmosphere and dress code.

JEDAI STATEMENT

The Center for Biological Diversity deeply values, and is committed to sustaining and promoting, both biological and cultural diversity. We welcome, embrace and respect diversity of people, identities and cultures. We are committed to fostering an organizational culture of diversity and inclusion. The Center believes staff and board diversity is critical to saving life on Earth.

We are an equal opportunity employer.

The Center complies with all federal and local laws regarding work authorization for new hires. We welcome and encourage anyone interested to apply to any of our open positions. Everyone, regardless of current work authorization, will be considered.

Exempt Classification: Exempt

Applicable Exemption: Professional

• Reasoning behind this classification: High degree of discretion and requires advanced technical knowledge. Work is predominantly intellectual in nature and varied in character. The output produced can’t be standardized in relation to a given period of time.