Instructor of Geographic Information Systems

About the role

The Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences at East Central University, in partnership with the Oka’ Institute, seeks an Instructor to teach Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and support applied research initiatives. The appointment is a half‑load, 0.5 FTE position that blends classroom instruction with institute‑directed projects.

Key responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate and graduate GIS courses (approximately six teaching hours per semester) and develop curriculum for GIS certificates.
• Support the Oka’ Institute’s Juniper Evaluation Tool Phase II project and other environmental data initiatives as a GIS analyst.
• Conduct scholarship activities, including grant writing, research, and publications.
• Share service duties between the department and the institute, including student advising and recruitment.

Required profile

• Master’s degree in Geography, Natural Resources, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated ability to teach effectively at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Experience in applied research that integrates GIS with environmental, public health, or water resources topics.
• Commitment to inclusive teaching and ethical, socially responsible conduct.

Required skills

• Proficiency with ArcGIS and ArcGIS Online for mapping and data sharing.
• Programming skills in Python, R, SQL, and JavaScript for GIS workflows.
• Experience with Google Earth Engine for large‑scale raster processing.
• LiDAR data processing and canopy height modeling.
• Analysis of NAIP aerial imagery and vegetation indices (NDVI, EVI).
• Spatial data management, cartographic design, and spatial analysis techniques.
• Database development, including relational databases, geodatabases, and cloud‑based environments.
• Workflow automation and reproducible modeling pipelines.