+ HOW TO APPLY

Please attach the following 3 items via email to our hiring coordinator Janell, janell.flores@ag.tamu.edu: 1) A cover letter including which position you are applying for; 2) Your resume or CV; 3) A three-page sample of your written work.

+ Geospatial Developer I

Houston (Clear Lake City), TX. Full-time. Onsite.

Posted April 12, 2024. Position will be open until filled. Interviews will be scheduled on a rolling basis.

Salary: $84,000 – $91,500

Position Description:

The Geospatial Developer, under general supervision of the Senior Data Engineer/Data Scientist, develops geospatial applications to support and deliver our products and mission. This includes developing geospatial applications for both internal reporting and public use in both web and mobile environments. The ideal candidate has experience working with and developing GIS and various tools in automating geospatial workflows, preferably using FOSS such as QGIS, GDAL, PostGIS, and other open-source libraries. The candidate will be expected to work as part of an Agile team with access to both local and cloud-based development environments. There will be a lot of collaborations with both in-house and external dev teams, providing a rich environment to learn new technical, geospatial, and team-building skills.

Responsibilities:

• Designs, develops, tests, implements, documents, and maintains custom software applications, including both geospatial and non-geospatial tools.

• Design, deploy, and maintain enterprise geospatial databases to support application needs and data requirements for both the in-house GIS team and other clients.

• Maintains and debugs database and application issues and implements changes through coding and testing.

• Provides consulting, technical support, and training to users and technical staff of custom geospatial applications.

• Tests and evaluates new technology to recommend efficient and cost-effective methods for application development and maintenance.

• Provides personnel and end-user support for geographic information system (GIS) software.

• Conducts necessary research on complex, technical problems related to our products, systems, and services.

• Develops and implements solutions to meet product and organizational needs.

• Acquires, curates, and organizes geospatial data within our geospatial libraries to ensure data integrity and accessibility.

• Implements and adheres to data protocols and governance.

• Prepares technical documentation for data definitions, schemas, and ETL methods to ensure clear understanding and usability.

• Participates in professional development and training to stay up to date on the latest trends and technologies.

• Participates in various cross-functional teams and technical meetings, internal and external to the program. Contributes collaboratively to decision-making processes.

• Assists with the maintenance of GIS software, computers, and related infrastructure to ensure reliable system performance.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in applicable field or equivalent combination of education and experience

• Two years of related experience in design and development of web, mobile, and/or database applications including at least one year in geospatial applications.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Working knowledge in developing geospatial applications including assessing user needs, design, and development of geospatial databases, programming functionality, building interfaces, testing, deploying, and maintaining applications.

• Working knowledge of at least one general programming language (Python, Java, VB.Net), web programming (ASP.net, JavaScript, HTML5, Leaflet.js, Turf.js), database queries using SQL, and GIS scripting (ArcObjects, Arcade, GDAL).

• Working knowledge of PostgreSQL, PostGIS, SQL Server, ArcSDE, ArcGIS Server, and REST APIs.

• Experience with the use of code versioning such as Git and similar tools.

• Familiarity with IIS, Apache, or similar web services.

• Familiarity with Agile or Scrum software methodologies.

• Experience working in any of the major cloud environments such as Azure, GCP, or AWS is a plus.

• Basic knowledge of graphic design using Adobe Creative Suite is a plus.

• Possess critical-thinking skills, is self-motivated, and self-disciplined.

• Can think of big picture strategy while completing routine daily tasks.

• Can pay close attention to details when designing applications.

• Has interest and passion for working on the web and the end-user experience.

• Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.

• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.

Other Requirements:

• May require extended bending, reaching, stooping, kneeling, squatting, and sitting.

• May require extended communication with visitors and employees in person, telephonically or electronically.

• May require infrequent travel in State vehicles with overnight stays.

• May require operating computers with high-definition screens for extended periods of time.

+ Communications Projects Lead

Houston (Clear Lake City), TX. Full-time. Product Team. Onsite.

Posted April 29, 2024. Position will be open until filled. Interviews will be scheduled on a rolling basis.

Salary: $95,000 – $118,000

What We Do:

The Texas Community Watershed Partners (TCWP) team provides education, outreach, and planning support for communities around the state of Texas, focusing on approaches that foster collaboration and holistic solutions to reduce risks from floods and other hazards. Central to our approach is the engagement of community staff, elected officials, and decision-makers in interactive planning exercises. Leveraging data-driven methodologies and innovative tools, such as our award-winning GIS-based scenario planning software, CommunityViz, we facilitate collaborative sessions aimed at envisioning a future that can withstand challenges.

Operating within the largest university-based extension program nationwide, TCWP is uniquely positioned to deliver highly impactful community planning tools and services. We cultivate strong partnerships with sister state agencies and federal entities, ensuring that our expertise reaches communities ready to embrace sustainable planning practices.

Your Role:

At the heart of our work lies collaborative planning and stakeholder outreach. Your expertise in communication will be instrumental as you develop targeted messaging programs and projects using a variety of communication materials. In this role, you will actively support maintaining strong partnerships with our program stakeholders by engaging with them through various channels. By developing a sustainable communications projects for our work and ensuring consistent and timely dissemination of information about our program, products, and activities, you will contribute to expanding our outreach and fostering preparedness in communications across Texas and beyond.

We are seeking candidates who are passionate about community planning and engagement. As a member of our team, you will play a pivotal role in enhancing the impact of the TCWP program as we work collaboratively with communities to identify and plan for innovative resiliency and risk reduction projects.

Your Skills & Experience:

We’re searching for a mid-career communication professional who thrives on blending creativity with effective stakeholder outreach. As the communications projects lead at TCWP, you will be entrusted with providing mission-critical communication guidance for this program, creating, and managing a range of communication programs and products, and fostering connections with key TCWP program partners.

We are looking for someone who is not only highly motivated, organized, and able to stand up and manage communications projects but also possesses a keen creative eye and exemplary written and oral communication skills. As part of our rapidly growing team, adaptability to evolving team dynamics, ability to manage ambiguous tasks, and effectiveness in virtual collaboration are key attributes we value.

Benefits:

Optional two days work from home. Employees are eligible for a generous health insurance plan, including dental and vision. PTO starts at 12 personal days a year, 11 paid holidays, and ten sick leave days. Employees join the Texas Teachers Retirement System (TRS) with employer contributions. Additional retirement savings are available. Office culture is casual but earnest about doing good work and helping communities improve their safety and well-being through planning. As university employees, staff will have no-cost access to LinkedIn learning training and professional credits.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Develop and manage creative communication products utilizing human-centered design, including communication plans, marketing materials, reports, briefings, and infographics in support of TCWP programs, products, virtual trainings, community events, and focus groups.
• Identify, synthesize, and tailor complex messages into effective, on-point communication materials using a mix of oral, written, and visual communications. Engages in stakeholder analysis to determine the most optimal communication strategy for outreach and messaging.
• Develop and manage communication project plans, scopes of work, milestones, and deliverables; Manage assigned project resources effectively to ensure success; Works with external consultants to ensure compliance and timeliness of production; Identify risks to project goals and timelines; monitor effectiveness of strategies.
• Assists in identifying and responding to funding opportunities.
• Contributes towards the strategic development of TCWP programs and projects from the perspective of effective communications; provides insights on future project resourcing and budgeting;
• Proactively engages with project partners and stakeholders and collaborates internally with other staff.
• Will lead and conduct updates to TCWP program web content using WordPress.
• Will apply agency communication and branding guidelines to TCWP program communications and products.
• Represents our programs in relationship-building efforts with communities, agencies, and professional associations.
• Supervise one or more direct reports, and work in highly collaborative fashion with TCWP internal and external stakeholders.
• Attend project-related evening meetings and occasional overnight travel.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• At least seven years of experience in communications, public relations, or marketing
• Bachelor's degree in communications, public affairs, marketing, or a related field
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Experience writing for multiple media (e.g., online, print)
• Communications project planning and management.
• Excellent written communication skills to develop print-ready communication products, briefings, online content, etc.
• Excellent verbal communication skills to act as a spokesperson for the program.
• Meeting/workshop facilitation experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working as a communications team lead or standing up new communications projects.
• Experience working with federal, state and local government clients.
• Experience working in an urban planning, hazard mitigation planning, or emergency management role.
• Adobe Creative Suite (especially Illustrator, Photoshop or, InDesign), Canva, or a similar tool.
• Experience using WordPress or similar tool.
• Master’s Degree