Bat Conservation International

GIS Analyst

Western United States

Location: Remote/Western United States

Status: Full-time

Reports to: Geospatial Team Lead (Ryan O’Leary)

Key Relationships: Geospatial Team Lead, UAS Coordinator

Salary: $60,000 annually + benefits

Location: Western United States

BCI and our Mission

Bat Conservation International (BCI), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to ending bat extinctions worldwide, seeks a GIS Analyst to join BCI’s Habitat Protection and Restoration Program (HP&R). The GIS Analyst will be a part of the Geospatial Team within the HP&R Program. The GIS Analyst should be highly collaborative and enjoy working in a mission and results-driven environment, where they can bring their whole self to work and contribute to BCI's mission, the HP&R program, and lasting positive ecological change.

BCI operates primarily as a virtual organization with team members located worldwide. The HP&R Program is dedicated to conservation projects in the Southwestern United States. Although the GIS Analyst can be based anywhere in the western U.S., they will contribute to global conservation projects, with a particular focus on the Southwestern U.S., especially in New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and Utah.

Primary Responsibilities and Expectations

The GIS Analyst will perform a variety of conservation activities that benefit bats and their habitats. They will be responsible for setting up field staff within the Habitat Protection and Restoration team with the necessary tools to collect geospatial and biological data at project sites, performing data QC when crews return from the field, creating a variety of high-quality maps, assisting staff with troubleshooting geospatial hardware & software, querying geospatial data, data analysis, collaborating with the GIS team to manage databases, and working with HP&R staff and partners to create new geospatial products and tools. Occasional field work (once a quarter) in the western United States will be required to understand existing workflows, conduct data collection, test new workflows, and assist with UAS operations. Depending on the project, field work can involve hiking to remote locations, carrying heavy equipment, climbing into and out of confined spaces, and using handheld lidar and GNSS/GPS equipment. Camping will sometimes be necessary at field sites and gear could be provided upon request for those who do not have or cannot afford camping gear.

The GIS Analyst will:

• Assist in managing BCI’s ArcGIS Online (AGOL) content, ensuring data is accessible, well-documented, and easy to use for all team members.
• Support geospatial production tasks for various teams within BCI’s conservation program, including restoration, subterranean, compliance, cultural, and cliff ecology.
• Maintain and update both geospatial and non-geospatial databases, ensuring they remain accurate, consistent, and secure.
• Collaborate with field staff to quality control, update, and publish data within the ArcGIS Online environment.
• Assist in setting up data collection methods using ArcGIS Field Maps and Survey123 Connect and provide ongoing support and troubleshooting for field staff using these tools.
• Occasionally process LiDAR data and produce deliverables from it.
• Occasionally process and produce deliverables from UAS data.
• Create high-quality maps in ArcGIS Pro for project reports and proposals.
• Occasionally train non-geospatial staff on accessing data and using geospatial tools.
• Assist with project reporting and coordination with project partners.
• Conduct geospatial analyses as needed to support conservation initiatives.

Required Knowledge/Experience

• Two years of relevant work experience, a GIS Certificate (from either a university or community college) and/or a Bachelor’s degree in Geography, Environmental Studies, Biology, Wildlife Biology, Wildlife Sciences, Natural Resource Management, or other similar degrees.
• Proficiency in ESRI software products such as ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Dashboards, Field Maps, or Survey123.
• Database creation, management, and maintenance experience.
• Resourceful problem-solving skills.
• Ability to handle confidential information with sensitivity.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision.
• Ability to work well within a team environment.
• Ability to engage with diverse partners, audiences, and staff to share, develop, and collaborate on projects.
• Ability to self-manage multiple projects while keeping track of project deadlines.
• Occasionally work and hike in remote environments with accompanying gear.

Preferred Experience or Interests

• Desire to assist the geospatial team in UAS operations.
• Experience or interest in collecting scientific data in the field.
• Experience or interest in natural resources, restoration, and/or conservation.
• Experience or interest in a work-from-home role.
• Experience and/or interest in engaging with different communities and developing opportunities that encourage and grow a diverse, equitable, and inclusive conservation community.
• Experience with Cloud Compare software.
• Experience with LiDAR data collection and data processing.
• Ability to incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion and justice considerations into conservation work and GIS analysis.

Work Characteristics and Competencies:

• Strong interpersonal skills approachability, and creative problem-solving.
• Detail-oriented, self-motivated, and self-starter.
• Seeks out adversity and has high emotional awareness.
• Organizational and time management skills.
• Highly collaborative with a growth mindset and enjoys challenges.
• Willingness to be flexible and adaptive.
• Highly curious and have a deep desire to learn new things
• Contributes to a healthy workplace and organization.

Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (JEDI)

BCI is deeply committed to JEDI and embeds JEDI-centered practices in the conservation work and organizational culture. BCI is determined to be an employer of choice and believes that the best organizational performance will come from a safe, diverse, and inclusive work environment. Read more about our JEDI statement at www.batcon.org/about-us/justice-equity-diversity-and-inclusion/.

To Apply:

If you have 70% or more of the desired qualifications, we encourage you to apply. Individuals interested in applying should upload their resume and cover letter to the application portal. In the cover letter, please explain how your work and lived experiences have prepared you to be successful in this position, what you find compelling about this job, and how you (and your career) will benefit from this position. A portfolio, displaying the applicants’ recent work, can be substituted for the cover letter.

Applications are due by October 28, 2024. Interviews will be held early November with a tentative start date in late November/early December.

Compensation and Benefits

• $60,000 annually + benefits
• Compensation package includes PTO, sick time accrual and flexible schedule.

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