GIS Data Specialist

Job Description

The Taskar Center for Accessible Technology has an outstanding opportunity for a GIS Data Specialist (Research Scientist/Engineer 2) to join their team. 

About this Opportunity

The GIS Data Specialist will lead the development of geospatial tools and dashboards that support TCAT’s and the Transportation Data Exchange’s public-facing and internal initiatives. This role is central to transforming complex spatial datasets into actionable insights through interactive web applications. The specialist will architect and implement tools such as the Safe Routes to School prioritization platform, ADA Transition Plan dashboards, and internal data-sharing interfaces, all built on top of the Transportation Data Exchange. The position bridges geospatial analysis, full-stack web development, and participatory design to ensure tools are technically robust and community-responsive.

Key Responsibilities

Web GIS Tool Development (40%)

• Design and build interactive geospatial dashboards and decision-support tools (eg. Safe Routes to school, ADA Transition Plan)

Data Integration & Standardization (20%)

•  Ingest, Clean, and harmonize spatial datasets from transit agencies, DOTs, and community sources.
• Develop workflows to transform unstructured and semi-structured data from the web into standards-based formats.
• Programming with Scala, Node, js

Technical Architecture (15%)

• Architect scalable, secure, and maintainable web stack infrastructure for Observatory tools.
• Develop interfaces for internal and external customers to vet, edit, and save mobility data.
• Web Development: React, Angular, Cue, Node, Ux Design

Stakeholder Collaboration (10%)

• Work with planners, advocates, and community members to ensure tools reflect lived experience and policy needs.

Interfaces and External Tooling (10%)

• Develop data-sharing interfaces for staff and partners, including in-browser data exploration and export features.
• Evaluate and develop data management solutions.
• Data Management for: SQL, NoSQL, (MySQL or PostgreSQL or SQL Server or DB2); NoSQL (memcache, Redis, Elasticsearch).
• Integrated interfaces with existing backend APIs and databases.

Documentation and Training (5%)

• Create technical documentation and provide training/support for tool users and collaborators.

Required Qualifications

To be considered for this opportunity your application must demonstrate you meet both the minimum qualifications and additional qualifications listed below. Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Information Science, or related field, and at least two years of previous experience with software development in the areas of geospatial, urban planning, geography, or related field.
• Applicants who do not meet these qualifications WILL NOT be forwarded to the Hiring Manager.

Preferred Qualifications

• Contribute to and apply software engineering best practices in a team environment, based on experience in full-stack development
• Any Graduate training or Degree in GIS, Data Science, or Urban Informatics
• Experience with open-source geospatial tools (e.g., QGIS, GeoServer, Turf.js) 
• Familiarity with accessibility standards and equity-focused planning
• Experience working with OpenStreetMap data and community 
• Strong understanding of data privacy and governance in public sector contexts

 

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

$85,836.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum:

$100,980.00 annual

Other Compensation:

-

Benefits:

For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/

Shift:

First Shift (United States of America)

Temporary or Regular?

This is a regular position

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

100.00%

Union/Bargaining Unit:

UAW Research