Cartographer (Fixed-Term)

How You’ll Contribute

How You’ll Contribute

The National Geographic Society’s Storytelling division works to expand the organization’s impact through journalism, photography, film/video, web content, mapping, asset management, and data visualization. As one of the largest funders to individual storytellers in this work, it also identifies key grant making and fellowship opportunities with creative talent. Much of the team's programmatic activity is focused on identifying and building capacity for the next generation of diverse storytellers.

The Base Camp Cartographer will play a leadership role in conceiving, designing, and refining maps. They will play a key role on a creative team that develops and produces a diverse portfolio of media to support National Geographic Society’s Base Camp Construction project. In this position you will help maintain the standards of excellence for which National Geographic maps and graphics are known. This role will report to the Chief Cartographer and work closely with the Campus and Experiences and Content teams, and with The Geographer and their team.

Target End Date 12/31/2026

Your Impact

Responsibilities Include

Map Content Creation (85%)

• Conceptualize, research, and design compelling maps, graphics and data visualizations for a variety of media including NG Basecamp museum exhibits, videos, websites, and mobile device content. 

• Adapt animated or interactive map content for static display and usage. 

• Research, gather, process, and analyze spatial data and synthesize information from authoritative sources to create maps and graphics.  

• Work cooperatively with the Map Research Editor, NG Explorers, freelancers, and expert sources to develop map content. Consult with sources and experts to scope and verify information presented in cartographic products (e.g. place names, locations of geographic features, thematic information). Document sources for acknowledgements and fact-checking.

• Design, style and compile basemap tiles for use at National Geographic.

• Write captions and other text content for maps and graphics.

Team and Institutional Responsibilities (15%)

• Ensure that cartographic products conform to established National Geographic Map Policy and cartographic conventions. Understand NG Map Policy and know where and how that policy should be applied on maps and graphics, especially around sensitive or controversial issues.

• Exchange content ideas for new maps and graphics, and provide critique to peers. Promote a team-based approach to mapmaking at National Geographic. 

• Evaluate and document cartographic methods and interactive technologies for print and electronic formats. Stay informed and trained on the latest technologies for interactive map and graphics development.

• Exercise a thoughtful, collaborative approach to build relationships within the organization and with the NG Explorer community to understand their needs and opportunities, and to maximize the amplification of Explorer stories.

What You’ll Bring

Educational Background

Bachelor’s degree in geography, cartography, graphic design, animation, web development, data journalism or related field.

Minimum Years and Types of Experience   

5+ years and a strong portfolio of published maps created in a professional capacity. 

Necessary Knowledge and Skills

•  Strong visual and interactive cartographic design skills with a clear grasp of typography, layout, color, motion, projections and the ability to iterate on optimal design solutions.

• Demonstrated experience with Esri web mapping tools (Vector Tile Style Editor, ArcGIS Online, StoryMaps, Experience Builder, ArcGIS Pro).

• Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Cloud platform (essential knowledge of Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects) and cartographic plug-ins.

• Familiarity with web development and online web digital cartography, including Figma, Javascript, D3, HTML, CSS, and MapLibre.

• Experience with elevation data processing and terrain rendering.

• Proficiency with vector and raster data processing using commercial or open-source GIS software.

• Good communication skills, including the ability to concisely explain a problem and to articulate a solution.

• Ability to grasp and critically evaluate new subject matters quickly and to evaluate data for quality, accuracy, and authoritativeness.

• Superior organization skills and the ability to independently budget time and handle several tasks simultaneously under the pressure of tight deadlines. 

Desired Qualifications

• Background in National Geographic‘s core topics, such as photojournalism, archaeology, geography, cultures, environment and natural history.

• Processing and analyzing remote sensing data for cartography.

• Experience designing and creating maps for video and motion graphics.

• Experience automating data analytics/management (via Python, R, or similar high-level language).

• Experience with cloud-based analytical platforms (e.g. Google Earth Engine).

• Experience with 3d modeling and creating physical terrain models  using Blender, Sketchup and 3D printing.
   
  

Supervision

No direct reports

Salary Information

The National Geographic Society offers a competitive and holistic total rewards package. Our compensation structure and transparent pay philosophy are based on industry-specific market data for similar-sized nonprofit organizations.

The salary range for this position accounts for a wide range of factors including but not limited to organizational need; specific skill sets; experience and training; certifications; and more. At the National Geographic Society, individuals are typically hired at or near the starting point of the salary range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.

The salary range for this position is 95,000 - $100,000.

In addition, the National Geographic Society offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package that includes, but is not limited to, medical, dental, and vision insurance; engaging and comprehensive wellness program; 401(k) retirement savings plan with matching contributions after 6 months of employment; flexible paid time off benefits with up to 22 days of paid annual leave per calendar year (15 days for new hires in their first year, prorated based on the number of pay periods remaining in the year) and 10 days of sick leave; 12 paid holidays and a paid winter break between December 25 and 31; paid parental leave, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility benefits; learning and development opportunities; Lifestyle Spending Account; pet adoption assistance and insurance; pre-tax transportation benefits with a generous employer subsidy; employer-paid life insurance and disability benefit; and a variety of National Geographic discounts and perks.

Job Designation

Hybrid - At the Society, we believe in the advantages of coming together to build community, mentor and learn from colleagues, and connect more deeply with our mission. As a result, the majority of our staff are Hybrid. Our Hybrid category requires that staff work at Base Camp two days each week: every Tuesday and Wednesday. Hybrid staff are also always welcome to come in additional days each week if preferred.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position. We are looking for someone with relevant skills and experience, not a checklist that exactly matches the job description. We want to help you grow and in return, you help us grow into a stronger, more inclusive organization.