(Hybrid) Water Resources GIS Specialist - WV Water Research Institute

The WV Water Research Institute at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a Water Resources GIS Specialist.

About the Opportunity

As the Water Resources GIS Technician, the incumbent supports office, laboratory, and field efforts in the West Virginia Water Research Institute (WVWRI) by providing primary technical support for GIS and spatial data initiatives. The core of this position involves leveraging Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to advance a diverse portfolio of water quality projects throughout West Virginia. The incumbent serves as a technical bridge between field observations and digital analysis, applying spatial modeling and data visualization to address complex challenges involving acid mine drainage (AMD), wastewater infrastructure performance, and a significant emphasis on rural drinking water reliability. This role involves active collaboration with multi-disciplinary research teams, including partnerships with WVU Health Sciences to assess the intersection of water quality and public health outcomes.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.
• Wellness programs

What You'll Do

• Geospatial Analysis & Data Management: Performs complex GIS and spatial analysis using ArcGIS Pro to support WVWRI projects. The incumbent is responsible for maintaining comprehensive project geospatial datasets and streamlining GIS workflows to ensure data integrity and accessibility.
• Drinking Water & Health Sciences Collaboration: Supports specialized research initiatives in partnership with WVU Health Sciences to map and analyze drinking water quality data. This includes providing the spatial context necessary to evaluate how rural water infrastructure impacts community health across the state.
• Mobile Tool Development: Builds and manages specialized data-collection tools and interactive mapping platforms to modernize field data acquisition and tracking.
• Multi-Domain Project Support: Supports water quality and AMD remediation projects through a balanced combination of field and office work, with a prioritized focus on providing technical GIS context for drinking water safety and wastewater management studies.
• Comprehensive Field Monitoring: Conducts field sampling of water chemistry following strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to ensure high-level Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC).
• Data Assimilation & Insight: Systematically assimilates and analyzes water quality data, converting raw field results into actionable insights for research teams and public health partners.
• Technical Reporting & Publication: Prepares detailed technical reports for diverse projects and contributes to the development of peer-reviewed journal publications to share findings with the broader scientific and public health communities.
• Staff & Research Collaboration: Provides direct support to project staff by creating custom maps and organizing spatial data. Maintains active, high-level collaboration with multi-disciplinary research teams to ensure all geospatial needs are met for various WVWRI initiatives.

• Bachelor's degree in a natural resources-related field
• A minimum of one (1) year of related experience
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.
  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Understanding of GIS principles and familiarity with ArcGIS Pro
• Foundational skills in creating or modifying maps, managing geospatial data, and performing simple spatial queries or analyses.
• Exposure to ESRI field data-collection tools such as Survey123 and Field Maps (coursework or project experience acceptable).
• Knowledge of acid mine drainage (AMD) and AMD remediation strategies.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to use good judgment to make sound decisions based on site conditions, field, and laboratory data, and knowledge of regulations.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team environment
• Demonstrated ability to work independently.
• Ability to process and interpret analytical data.
• Good organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently with limited guidance.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

Behavioral Competencies

• Technical skills - Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; pursues training and
  development opportunities; assesses strengths and weaknesses.
• Problem-solving - Gathers and analyzes information, identifies problems, develops alternatives; works well in groups, and resolves matters in timely fashion.
• Communications - Demonstrates group presentation skills; participates in meetings; listens and gets clarification; is responsive, speaks clearly and persuasively in positive and negative situations; writes and edits clearly and informatively, varies style to meet needs; presents numerical data effectively, and is able to read and interpret written information.
• Organizational Support - Aligns work and develops strategies to meet organizational goals; seeks to improve and promote quality; demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; and upholds organizational expectations and values.
• Self-Management - Responds to management direction; resourcefully adapts to changes in work environment and circumstances; responds well under pressure and manages competing demands; asks for and offers help when needed; exercises discretion and sound judgment; is tactful and responsible for own actions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Trainings/certificates associated with surface and/or groundwater sampling.
• Knowledge of water quality issues in Appalachia.
• Background in working with volunteer groups and educators.
• Strong organizational skills.

Requirements

• Valid driver's license.
• Requires physical abilities to perform field activities, including manual dexterity and abilities to see, hear, walk, talk and feel. Routine activities are predominantly non-manual, although some manual work involved with field sampling or sample/equipment transport may be included. Activities require manual skills to sample and perform analyses and to instruct others on sampling techniques. Travel to remote locations in WV and surrounding states with occasional overnight stays. Evening and weekend work will be required on a routine basis due to the nature of working with grassroots organizations.
• A mixture of office, laboratory, and field. Outdoor weather conditions will be variable and during rare times may be very hot or cold. Moderate noise levels are experienced in the work environment.

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.