Working/Functional Title
GIS/IT Manager
Position Summary
Michigan State University Extension is committed to fostering a welcoming and collaborative environment, which requires all staff to contribute toward a vision for success regardless of title or position within the organization. We strive to create a positive culture, access to resources, and a sense of belonging for staff, partners, and programming participants. This means that all staff at MSU Extension are dedicated to the following:
- We work together to ensure that programming is available to all audiences, creates meaningful and positive impacts for participants, and demonstrates partnership and collaboration across communities.
- We understand that a welcoming and respectful environment is built through the efforts of everyone.
- We foster an environment that welcomes a broad range of perspectives and experiences, ensuring that all individuals have the opportunity to contribute and thrive.
- We ensure that every team member is prepared with the skills and resources to contribute to our welcoming and supportive culture.
- We foster an environment that values a range of perspectives, skills, and experiences by working to ensure access to programming for communities.
- We commit to continuous learning and engagement to better serve Michigan residents and meet the evolving needs of communities.
- We recognize that broad accessibility and collaboration are essential elements of our work and are vital to organizational and programmatic success.
- We embrace a culture of understanding, coaching, and feedback toward achieving a vision of success for the entire organization and its staff.
- Together we will achieve success, and we commit to these goals in our work, continued education, and ongoing efforts.
POSITION SUMMARY
As part of MSU Extension (MSUE), the Community, Food and Environment Institute (CFEI), and the Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI), this position will work closely with the Geographic Information System (GIS)/Information Technology (IT) team to facilitate biodiversity related modeling and management of spatial data that supports MNFI research projects. This position will have statewide responsibilities and will be housed at the MNFI office in Lansing, Michigan.
The MNFI maintains Michigan's Natural Heritage Database, documenting rare species and natural communities and providing critical information that supports regulatory, conservation, land management, and research decisions. Spatial modeling, GIS analysis, and biodiversity data management are central to MNFI's work and its partnerships with state, federal, local, and private organizations.
As the GIS & IT Manager, you will serve as the strategic and technical lead for MNFI’s enterprise GIS, information systems, Natural Heritage Database operations, and IT infrastructure. You will oversee a diverse team responsible for GIS analysis, biodiversity modeling, environmental review workflows, database administration, field data collection systems, and internal IT support. You will ensure that MNFI’s geospatial and information systems support high‑quality research, regulatory review, and conservation decision‑making tools across Michigan.
Your role requires deep expertise with NatureServe Natural Heritage Methodology, ESRI ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Enterprise, enterprise data management, application development, IT systems architecture, and cross‑disciplinary project leadership. You will direct the development of spatial data products, models, applications, and enterprise tools used across MNFI programs and by external partners.
You will play a central role in coordinating with partner organizations, including state and federal agencies, conservation NGOs, universities, and NatureServe Network programs. You will ensure effective data sharing, methodological alignment, collaborative project planning, and technology integration with partners who rely on MNFI data for regulatory, conservation, and land‑management decisions. You will represent MNFI in interagency technical meetings, cross‑organizational working groups, and collaborative technology initiatives, ensuring MNFI’s systems and workflows support statewide biodiversity conservation efforts.
As the GIS & IT Manager you will operate with a high degree of independence and responsibility, providing technical leadership, supervising professional staff, and guiding multi‑agency and multi‑disciplinary project teams.
This position will be housed at the MNFI office located in Lansing, Michigan, within a secure State of Michigan building.
This is an off-dated position funded for one year from the date of hire with possible extension contingent upon funding renewal.
Characteristic Duties/Responsibilities
Leadership, Management & Supervision
- Participate on the MNFI Leadership Team to help shape organizational strategy, support cross‑program coordination, and advance organization-wide initiatives.
- Provide supervisory leadership to staff across GIS, IT support, database management, and environmental review roles, ensuring coordinated workflows and consistent technical standards.
- Plan, assign, and oversee work supporting MNFI’s Natural Heritage Database, GIS modeling, environmental review, IT systems, field data collection applications, and web‑based information products.
- Mentor staff in GIS, database technologies, and IT systems, maintaining alignment with professional standards and organizational goals.
- Lead multi‑disciplinary projects, often with moderate to high complexity.
GIS Program Leadership & Spatial Data Management
- Oversee enterprise GIS functions including ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, Field Maps, Survey123, geodatabases, and GIS server environments.
- Direct development of spatial models, high‑quality cartographic products, enterprise datasets, and analytical tools used in statewide biodiversity research.
- Ensure consistent GIS QA/QC practices, metadata standards, spatial accuracy, and data integrity across all MNFI projects.
- Advise on spatial analyses supporting environmental review, regulatory processes, and conservation planning.
Natural Heritage Database & Data Governance
- Guide the stewardship of the Natural Heritage Database by applying NatureServe Natural Heritage Methodology standards to maintain rigorous spatial and tabular data quality.
- Guide integration of the Heritage Database functions into MNFI workflows, ensuring compliance with standards and successful annual data exchanges with NatureServe.
- Establish data governance protocols for rare species, natural communities, and sensitive ecological information stored in enterprise systems alongside MNFI scientific experts.
- Support Environmental Review workflows by ensuring that geospatial and tabular datasets used for impact screening remain current, accurate, and usable.
Information Technology Systems Oversight
- Direct IT operations supporting MNFI research, field data collection, and internal computing environments, including servers, networks, desktops, and specialized software.
- Oversee installation, configuration, and maintenance of computer systems, ensuring reliability and security of hardware and software.
- Monitor system performance, troubleshoot issues, and implement solutions for network, database, and application‑level problems.
- Manage backup procedures, storage resources, and technology upgrade recommendations.
Application Development, Web Systems, and Technical Innovation
- Guide development and deployment of custom applications, automated processes, web‑based tools, and complex GIS models to support MNFI research and partner needs.
- Oversee staff contributing to website maintenance, spatial information products, reports, dashboards, and online map services.
- Ensure all new and existing systems integrate effectively with enterprise GIS, database, and IT infrastructures.
- Support development of new tools or workflows related to environmental review, field data collection, predictive modeling, and conservation decision‑support systems.
Minimum Requirements
- Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business, Natural Resources, Ecology, Biology or related information technology field, with coursework in an information technology specialization related to the area of employment.
- Three to five years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in IT, GIS, or database management or area related to the duties to be performed.
- Equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Demonstrated advanced proficiency with ESRI ArcGIS tools, including ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Pro, geodatabases, and web mapping technologies.
- Knowledge and experience with NatureServe Natural Heritage Methodology and the Biotics platform.
Desired Qualifications
- Excellent communication, organizational, and customer service skills.
- In‑depth knowledge of NatureServe’s Heritage Methodology, conservation status ranks (G/S ranks), element occurrence methodologies, and Biotics 5 architecture.
- Experience supporting or managing workflows related to environmental review, impact analysis, regulatory compliance (state and federal), or species/community protection.
- Familiarity with ecological modeling, habitat suitability models, species distribution modeling, or landscape‑scale decision‑support tools.
- Knowledge of Michigan’s rare species, natural community classification, and ecological landforms to inform geospatial analyses and data governance decisions.
- Experience designing field data collection protocols that align with database standards (Biotics) and integration of field findings into enterprise data systems. Strong understanding of relational database systems (SQL), scripting (Python), systems integration, and geospatial data management.
- Experience coordinating with staff conducting ecological fieldwork and integrating field observations with spatial and database systems.
- Demonstrated success in managing multi‑disciplinary projects, including budget planning, contracting, scheduling, and coordinating staff across GIS, IT, and research workflows.
- Experience supervising technical teams, conducting performance evaluations, and supporting staff development across GIS, IT, environmental review, and database roles.
- Strong ability to communicate complex geospatial, technical, and ecological concepts to audiences with varied technical backgrounds.
- Experience facilitating trainings, workshops, GIS/IT onboarding programs, or cross‑agency working groups.
- Proven success building cross‑organizational relationships with state agencies, federal partners, NGOs, and research collaborators.
- Skill in creating documentation, standards, and operating procedures to support organizational knowledge retention and operational efficiency.
- Experience collaborating with diverse communities, respecting cultural integrity, and ensuring equitable access to ecological and geospatial information products.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.
Required Application Materials
- Current resume/CV.
- Cover letter.
- Four (4) professional references including at least two (2) prior or current supervisors.
Work Hours
Generally 40 hours Monday through Friday, with some nights and weekends needed.
Description of End Date
This is an off-dated position funded for one year from the date of hire with possible extension contingent upon funding renewal.
Website
https://youtu.be/R58m2-um5Mg?si=Qra8RMsP
Bidding eligibility ends October 20, 2026, 11:55 PM