GIS Certificate Program Manager

Position Description:

The Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) (hereafter, the Certificate Program), and the Professional Master’s in GIS development (the Professional Master’s). This position has chief responsibility for managing the Certificate program, including program promotion, admissions and student services and confirming course offerings. This position also provides some assistance to the operation of the Professional Master’s including help in coordinating joint admissions and arranging some capstone practica experiences.

The Certificate is a one-year graduate program in the field of Geographic Information Science intended to provide a mix of theory and practical knowledge in GIS which has wide application in business, environmental analysis, planning, and other areas. Upon graduation, students will be able to make informed use of the acquired GIS theoretical knowledge and technical skills to solve real world spatial problems in their respective topical area of interest. The Certificate Program is intended to serve: 1) recent graduates in the liberal arts who wish to acquire GIS technical expertise to support the topical knowledge gained in their undergraduate major(s); and 2) returning students who wish to acquire specialized training to meet current (or future) job requirements calling for GIS knowledge.

The Professional Master’s in GIS development (hereafter, the Professional Master’s) is a non-thesis graduate program that is beginning in Fall 2016. It will be oriented towards skills development with a focus on training students in advanced geospatial database design, geospatial analysis, web-based and mobile mapping, geovisualization and programming skills. The program will be offered fully online and targeted at working professionals and international students who are interested in GIS programming skills and new tools/techniques for advanced GIS application support.

Principal duties:

The Program Manager will administer the Certificate Program and assist in part with the Professional MSc under the direction of the Professional Training Program Committee of the Geography Department. The areas of responsibility include:

• PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT, ADMINISTRATION, AND OUTREACH of the CERTIFICATE program (75%)
  • Actively recruit students: Develop marketing strategies and materials, respond to inquiries, conduct initial applicant interviews, and make recommendations for admission.
  • Advise students in the Certificate program on course selection, practica and other program-related curriculum issues.
  • Provide program orientation for new Certificate students.
  • Maintain program-related databases; assist with budgeting; monitor program accounts; coordinate class scheduling with program faculty and teaching assistants.
  • Develop and/or coordinate program-related visits/lectures/workshops. Depending on the evolving needs of the Certificate Program and the qualification and experience of the Program Manager, s/he may teach occasional workshops in the area of his/her expertise. A subset of these workshops may be recorded as short `webinars’ and used in marketing material for the Certificate and/or the Professional MSc.
  • Communicate with Capstone program alumni and others for ideas on expanding and enhancing the program. 
  • Work with faculty on GIS program and curriculum development. 
• ASSIST WITH THE PROFESSIONAL MASTER’S PROGRAM (25%)
  • Assist with recruitment and admissions for the Professional Master’s program and assist with setting up Practica experiences for a subset of Professional MSc. students as time allows.

Degree and area of specialization:

• Minimum of Master’s degree in Geographic Information Science or related field