Graphics Designer, Maps

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA); United States; On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

WMATA, based at L’Enfant Plaza in Washington, DC, seeks a Graphic Designer specializing in Maps to transform transit data into clear, accessible maps for customers across stations, rail lines, buses, and events.

You'll design and maintain map assets, establish standardized components, ensure accessibility and cross‑device usability, and collaborate with Planning, Operations, Digital, and Design teams to deliver consistent, high‑quality wayfinding graphics.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design, Multimedia design, Fine Arts, GIS or related field.
• In lieu of a Bachelor’s Degree, a High School Diploma/GED and four years of graphics, GIS, cartography, and/or multimedia design experience.
• Minimum five years of demonstrated graphic and multimedia design experience, with map production preferred.

Responsibilities

• Designs, produces, and maintains customer-facing maps across print and digital.
• Translates GIS, network, and operational data into cartographic products.
• Develops and steward standardized map components, legends, color systems, typography.
• Supports map standards, documentation, version control, and asset organization.
• Ensures accessibility, usability, and governance requirements including WCAG compliance.

Skills

Cartography knowledge

Data visualization

Team collaboration

Attention to detail

Independent work

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design

GIS or related field

High School Diploma + 4 years exp

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

InDesign

Photoshop

ArcGIS

QGIS

Digital Asset Management

Job description

Graphics Designer, Maps Marketing Statement

Do you recognize the names Vignelli, Weese, and Wyman? Do you know their work, and can you talk knowledgeably about it? Are you a design school graduate and professionally trained cartographer? If so, this is your opportunity to build on that tradition and help shape how millions of Metro customers navigate the region every day.

As a Graphic Designer, specializing in Maps on Metro’s Customer Experience team, you’ll transform complex transit data into clear, accessible, and visually compelling maps and wayfinding solutions. Your work will support customers across stations, rail lines, bus routes, special events, and service changes through print, digital, and environmental graphics.

This role offers a unique opportunity to combine cartographic expertise, design excellence, and public service while contributing to one of the nation’s most recognized transit systems. The position is based on‑site at Metro’s L’Enfant Plaza headquarters in Washington, DC.

Job Summary

The Graphic Designer, Maps position is responsible for designing, producing, and maintaining customer‑facing maps that support wayfinding and service information across Metro. This role supports the end‑to‑end lifecycle of map development – from geospatial data intake and cartographic design through production while reporting to the Product Manager for Wayfinding and Service Information. This role also maintains guidelines, standards, and continuous improvement. The incumbent designs, supports, develops, and maintains customer‑facing map assets and the guidelines that inform their creation, translating complex multimodal transit data into clear, accessible, and visually consistent map products. While the primary focus is cartography, the position also supports other wayfinding and service information graphics to ensure consistency across customer touchpoints.

Principal Job Duties

• Designs, produces, and maintains customer‑facing maps across print and digital platforms, supporting bus, rail, parking, and station access environments.
• Translates GIS, network, and operational data into clear, accurate, and user‑centered cartographic products.
• Develops and stewards standardized map components, including symbology, legends, color systems, typography, and layer logic.
• Supports Wayfinding and Service Information's ownership of customer‑facing map standards, documentation, version control, and asset organization.
• Ensures map products meet accessibility, usability, and governance requirements, including WCAG compliance and cross‑device use.
• Coordinates cross‑functional inputs from Planning, Operations, Maintenance, Digital, and Design partners to align data and design intent.
• Supports project management and contract oversight for map design and production, including review of contractor deliverables.

Other Duties

• Collaborates on broader wayfinding and service information initiatives and assists with non‑map graphic design work as needed to ensure systemwide consistency.
• Supports other Customer Experience graphic design projects as needed.
• Maintains awareness of cartographic, GIS, and graphic design trends through professional development.
• Incorporates stakeholder feedback into revised deliverables in a timely manner.
• Manages multiple projects simultaneously and communicates effectively regarding priorities and deadlines.
• Maintains and promotes awareness and accountability with safety policies and procedures while performing job functions. Promotes a positive safety culture and encourages reporting of safety concerns consistent with our Agency Safety Plan, other regulatory requirements within the Safety Management System and just culture principles.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of cartographic principles, spatial data visualization, and map generalization techniques.
• Knowledge of customer‑facing wayfinding systems and multimodal transit environments.
• Knowledge of service design, accessibility standards, usability principles, and human‑centered design practices.
• Knowledge of serving diverse audiences and related cultural and language sensitivities.
• Knowledge of Agile methodologies.

Skills

• Skilled in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop).
• Working knowledge of GIS platforms and geospatial data formats (e.g., ESRI, ArcGIS, QGIS, or equivalent).
• Strong attention to detail, particularly for spatial accuracy, labeling, and visual consistency.
• Effective collaboration and communication skills across technical and non‑technical teams.

Abilities

• Ability to translate complex spatial and operational data into intuitive visual formats.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Ability to present and explain design and cartographic decisions clearly to stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently while coordinating across multiple teams.

Machine, Tools, Equipment, Software, Hardware Required

• Apple hardware
• macOS + iPadOS software
• Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop)
• GIS software (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS, or equivalent)
• Digital Asset Management tools

Supervisory Responsibility

Not responsible for supervising others.

Minimum Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design, Multimedia design, Fine Arts, Geographic Information Systems or related field
• In lieu of a Bachelor’s Degree, a High School Diploma/GED and four (4) years of graphics, GIS, cartography, and/or multimedia design experience, in addition to the experience stated below, will be considered

Minimum Experience

• A minimum of five (5) years of demonstrated graphic and multimedia design experience, within an advertising agency or in‑house design, and/or experience producing customer‑facing maps or spatial information products preferred.

Minimum Certification/Licensure

• N/A

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Cartography, Geographic Information Systems, or Urban Planning strongly preferred
• Experience designing maps for transportation, wayfinding, or complex service environments.
• Familiarity with WCAG and accessibility standards for visual information.
• Experience supporting or coordinating vendor and contractor design deliverables.
• Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

About Us

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), known as Metro, is the region’s leading public transportation provider. Serving a 2,054-square‑mile jurisdiction, Metro operates six rail lines, 98 stations, 126 bus routes, and Metro Access, a shared‑ride paratransit service. As one of the nation’s busiest transit systems, Metro connects communities, supports economic growth, and provides safe, reliable transportation.

Evaluation Criteria

Consideration will be given to applicants whose resumes demonstrate the required education and experience. Applicants should include all relevant education and work experience.

Evaluation criteria may include one or more of the following:

• Skills and/or behavioral assessment
• Personal interview
• Verification of education and experience (including certifications and licenses)
• Criminal Background Check (a criminal conviction is not an automatic bar to employment)
• Medical examination including a drug and alcohol screening (for safety sensitive positions)
• Review of a current motor vehicle report

Closing

WMATA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by applicable federal law.

This posting is an announcement of a vacant position under recruitment. It is not intended to replace the official job description. Job descriptions are available upon confirmation of an interview.