Geographic Information System (GIS) Specialist

@Orchard LLC is seeking a Geographic Information System (GIS) Specialist to support NOAA’s Office of Ocean Exploration.

The GIS Specialist serves as the geospatial subject matter expert supporting NOAA Ocean Exploration programs. The successful candidate develops enterprise geospatial solutions integrating oceanographic, environmental, expedition, and scientific datasets into interactive mapping applications, analytical products, and decision-support tools. Working with scientists, engineers, and program leadership, this role supports expedition planning, exploration gap analysis, scientific research, program reporting, public engagement, and operational decision-making through advanced spatial analysis, cartographic design, and 2D/3D visualization., * Serve as the program’s GIS subject matter expert.

• Develop and maintain GIS datasets supporting ocean exploration.
• Integrate marine, environmental, bathymetric, and expedition datasets from multiple sources.
• Design and maintain web-based GIS applications, dashboards, and interactive mapping solutions.
• Develop geospatial analyses supporting expedition planning and exploration gap analysis.
• Create professional quality 2D and 3D cartographic products and visualizations.
• Collaborate with scientists, engineers, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Perform quality assurance, metadata management, and documentation.
• Support reports, executive briefings, presentations, and public engagement products.
• Recommend improvements to GIS workflows and visualization methods.
• Provide technical guidance to interns, fellows, contractors, and project teams.

• Bachelor’s degree in GIS, Geography, Geospatial Science, Marine Science, Oceanography, Environmental Science, Earth Science, Geology, or related field.
• Experience designing GIS solutions supporting scientific, environmental, or government programs.
• Experience integrating multiple geospatial datasets into analytical and visualization products.
• Experience creating professional 2D and 3D cartographic products.
• Strong knowledge of spatial analysis, coordinate systems, projections, and geospatial data management.
• Experience supporting NOAA or other federal science organizations.
• Experience supporting ocean exploration or marine science initiatives.
• Experience with ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Experience Builder, or similar enterprise GIS platforms.
• Experience with Python, SQL, R, web GIS, remote sensing, or spatial databases.
• Experience mentoring junior staff, interns, or multidisciplinary teams.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365, Google Workspace, and Adobe Acrobat.
• Excellent analytical, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to satisfy applicable Department of Commerce and NOAA security requirements.
• Occasional domestic travel may be required to support scientific meetings, workshops, planning sessions, training activities, or other program requirements consistent with contract needs.

Technical Skills:

• ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Experience Builder
• Spatial analysis and cartographic design
• 2D and 3D geospatial visualization
• Geospatial data integration and metadata management
• Python, SQL, R (preferred)
• Microsoft Office 365, Google Workspace, Adobe Acrobat
• Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, or similar collaboration platforms

Compensation: The anticipated salary range for this position is depending on the candidate’s qualifications, and relevant project management experience.

What We Offer:

Competitive base salary with opportunities for advancement, career growth and professional development, work-life balance, comprehensive benefits including health, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k), generous PTO, and paid federal holidays.

If you are a geospatial professional with a passion for ocean exploration, scientific discovery, and transforming complex spatial data into meaningful insights, we encourage you to apply and help advance NOAA’s mission of exploring and understanding the world’s oceans!