GIS Specialist

Do you love maps, find it exciting to make sense of Data combining visualizations and technology, and care about improving the well-being of a community? The City of Oxnard's Information Technology Department is seeking a GIS Specialist to be part of a team of dynamic individuals. The successful candidate will perform a variety of routine to moderately difficult technical duties in maintaining and supporting City and departmental geographic information systems (GIS) and GIS databases; will use standard GIS tools and generate standard GIS products; and will conduct GIS data creation and maintenance.

The ideal candidate will possess experience with the ESRI suite of GIS software including ArcGIS online, ArcGIS Desktop, and ArcGIS Pro. Successful attributes include excellent customer service skills; ability to prioritize and manage a constantly changing workload; clear and effective communication skills both written and verbal, excellent problem solving and analytical skills, strong attention to detail, strong time management skills, the ability to work both independently and in a collaborative team environment; and understanding of GIS concepts and fundamentals.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Provide exceptional customer service to members of the City workforce.

• Maintain and support GIS databases and create GIS data.

• Create and maintain technical documentation for customers and GIS staff.

• Work in a group and as an individual to complete tasks and projects.

PAYROLL/CLASSIFICATION TITLE: 

GIS Specialist 

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

Positions in this class differ from those in the GIS Technician class in that incumbents in the GIS Specialist class are responsible for independently performing complex GIS data entry and maintenance duties and for conducting quality control checks on the work performed by other GIS Specialists and GIS Technicians. Incumbents in the former class may provide lead work guidance, direction and training to other GIS technical staff.

GIS Specialists differ from GIS Analysts in that the work performed by GIS Analysts, requires a professional knowledge of the theory and principles of GIS software and database manipulation, product/output development and proficiency in spatial analysis.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED / SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Receives general supervision on routine items which are performed according to established standards and procedures and receives specific work instruction regarding non-routine matters and deadlines.

WORK SCHEDULE:

The normal work week is Monday through Friday 8:00 am-6:00 pm with every other Friday off. This position is required to be on an on-call (stand-by) rotation and you may be required to be available to work additional hours as needed to respond to workload needs. This position is governed by the overtime provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and is eligible for overtime pay. The City does not offer hybrid or remote work.

(This class specification represents only the core areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the needs of the Department.) 

• Perform GIS data maintenance, entry, and conversion; perform data verification; assist with solving technical problems and determining possible solutions.

• Create, maintain, and update digital maps, drawings, plans, spreadsheets, data files, and documentation for a variety of uses; gather information from various sources. Respond to GIS and mapping requests from employees

• Uses forms and drop down menus to enter data in GIS databases; follows established procedures to select map data and objects to populate database tables and attributes.

• Reviews and interprets data sources and uses standard GIS software functions to enter, edit and update GIS spatial data, including points, lines and polygons, and attribute data into databases or layers, following standard procedures. Researches source documents such as tract maps, parcel maps, legal descriptions, permits, as-built drawings and other records to verify the accuracy and completeness of data prior to input; uses standard scripts and queries to search for and correct missing, incomplete or inaccurate spatial and attribute data.

• Following established procedures, enters parameters and generates standard GIS products including maps, shapefiles, graphics, tables and reports; generates and exports new geodatabase layers for use by internal and external customers; generates custom maps of routine to moderate complexity to meet specific customer requirements; researches and responds to customer requests for information.

• Following established procedures, uses GIS software to geo-reference digital maps to align with real ground locations based on applicable data; uses coordinate geometry to draft utilities, easements, boundaries and other features.

• Performs quality-control checks of own work or work performed by other GIS staff to ensure accuracy and completeness of data and adherence with established policies, procedures and other mandates applicable to areas of assignment and appropriate formatting of GIS products to meet customer requirements. Operates GIS-specific hardware including large format plotters and scanners.

• May convert spatial data from one coordinate system to another; may convert maps into standard non-GIS formats such as pdf; may convert data into shapefiles or feature classes from kmz, tabular data, or CAD.

• May collect field data using a GPS or other equipment as needed

• Serves as a technical resource to other staff and may provide lead work direction, guidance and training.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

The following are the minimum qualifications necessary for entry into the classification:   

EDUCATION: 

 An Associate's degree from an accredited college or university in geographic information systems, GIScience, geography or related field.

EXPERIENCE:

LICENSING/CERTIFICATIONS:

None required

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Must be able to speak and understand English to effectively communicate with fellow employees, customers, and vendors

HIGHLY DESIRABLE:

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in geographic information systems,

GIScience, geography or a closely related field requiring equivalent coursework in geographic information systems. GIS certificate program from an accredited college or university Experience with civil construction/ as-built drawings.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES:

Accuracy - Ability to perform work accurately and thoroughly.

Analytical Skills - Ability to use thinking and reasoning to solve a problem.

Communication, Oral - Ability to communicate effectively with others using the spoken word.

Communication, Written - Ability to communicate in writing clearly and concisely.

Customer Oriented - Ability to take care of the customers’ needs while following organizational procedures.

Detail Oriented - Ability to pay attention to the minute details of a project or task.

Organized - Possessing the trait of being organized or following a systematic method of performing a task.

 Problem Solving - Ability to find a solution for or to deal proactively with work-related problems.