This position is open until filled.

A first review of applications will take place during the week of March 30, 2026.  Applicants that apply after the first review are not guaranteed to be considered for this recruitment.  This recruitment may close at any time without notice after the first review date.

If you want to join a hardworking team that shares a commitment to provide top-quality municipal services in a prime North County location, consider a career with the City of Escondido. We have an opening for the position of Geographic Information Systems Manager in our Information Systems Department/GIS Division. For a complete listing of job duties and qualifications, please refer to the corresponding job description, which can be obtained from the Human Resources Department or downloaded from the City's website.

Under administrative direction, plans, leads, and manages the City’s Enterprise Geographic Information Systems (GIS) program, serving as the strategic owner of GIS platforms, data governance, and spatial analytics. This position is responsible for the ArcGIS Enterprise ecosystem, including ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Enterprise (Portal, Server, Data Store), and deep integration with Cityworks for asset management and land development workflows.

The GIS Manager partners with City leadership, department directors, and external agencies to ensure GIS capabilities directly support operational efficiency, data-driven decision-making, capital planning, infrastructure lifecycle management, and community-facing services.

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

Provide strategic leadership for the City’s Enterprise GIS program, aligning GIS capabilities with organizational goals, smart city initiatives, and digital transformation efforts.

Develop and maintain a multi-year GIS strategic roadmap covering technology, data, governance, staffing, and funding.

Serve as the City’s subject matter expert on ArcGIS Enterprise architecture, licensing, security, scalability, and cloud/hybrid deployment models.

Administer and optimize the City’s ArcGIS Enterprise environment, including system configuration, upgrades, performance tuning, integrations, and security best practices.

Lead GIS support of Cityworks AMS and PLL, ensuring accurate spatial data, seamless workflows, and reliable integrations with ArcGIS, permitting systems, and other enterprise applications.

Oversee GIS services that support asset management, work order management, capital improvement planning, land development, utilities, transportation, and public safety.

Establish and enforce GIS data governance standards, including data quality, metadata, lifecycle management, and authoritative data sources.

Oversee spatial data development, maintenance, and automation using modern tools (e.g., ArcGIS Pro, Python/ArcPy, ModelBuilder, web services, Make.com, etc.).

Enable advanced GIS analytics, dashboards, and data visualization to support executive decision-making and public transparency.

Direct the design, development, and deployment of GIS applications, web maps, dashboards, and mobile solutions using ArcGIS Online, Experience Builder, Field Maps, Survey123, and related tools.

Manage GIS-related vendor relationships and contracts and collaborate with IT and vendors to integrate GIS with enterprise systems.  

Plan, organize, and manage GIS program operations, including work plans, service delivery models, and performance metrics.

Lead, mentor, and evaluate GIS staff; foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Identify training needs and support professional development in GIS, data analytics, and emerging technologies.

Develop and administer the GIS program budget, including forecasting, procurement, and cost optimization.

Act as a trusted advisor to departments on GIS capabilities and solutions.

Represent the City’s GIS program in a variety of public and private forums, serving as staff on boards, commissions, committees, and interdepartmental teams as assigned.

Coordinate with other public agencies and regional partners on GIS standards, data sharing initiatives, and regional planning efforts.

Prepare, review, and present staff reports, technical documentation, correspondence, and presentations to management, boards, commissions, and external stakeholders.

Respond to and resolve citizen inquiries and complaints related to GIS data, maps, applications, and public-facing GIS services.

Ensure GIS systems and data comply with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, records retention requirements, and cybersecurity standards.

Attend and actively participate in professional associations, user groups, and GIS conferences to remain current on industry trends, emerging GIS technologies, and best practices in local government GIS and asset management.

Performs related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:

Enterprise GIS architecture and administration, particularly Esri ArcGIS Enterprise and ArcGIS Online.
GIS integration with Cityworks AMS/PLL and other enterprise business systems.
Spatial databases, relational database management systems, and GIS data models.
Data governance, data quality management, and geospatial standards.
Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration, including forecasting, cost control, and public-sector procurement.
Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation, including employee development, accountability, and labor relations fundamentals.
Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations applicable to municipal operations, public records, data management, and information technology.
Principles and practices of customer service, including responsiveness, communication, and service delivery in a public-sector environment.
Principles and practices of project and program management, municipal budgeting, supervision, and applicable laws, regulations, and policies affecting municipal GIS operations.

Ability to:

Lead and manage a complex, multi-department Enterprise GIS program.
Translate business needs into effective GIS and asset management solutions.
Manage multiple concurrent projects and priorities in a dynamic environment.
Lead organizational change related to GIS adoption, data governance, and enterprise systems
Analyze complex problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement practical solutions.
Communicate technical concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders.
Build strong partnerships across departments and with external agencies.

Education/Training:

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in computer science, geography, science, planning, engineering, or closely related field with emphasis in geographic information systems.

Experience:

Six years (full-time equivalent) of responsible experience using GIS including two years of administrative and supervisory responsibility. Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

License or Certificate:

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid driver's license.

NOTE:  For a complete listing of job duties and qualifications, please refer to the corresponding job description, which can be obtained from the Human Resources Department or downloaded from the City's web site. The City of Escondido is committed to a drug and alcohol free workplace.  

All applicants will be subject to fingerprint investigation before a conditional offer of employment is extended. A pre-employment medical examination will be conducted following a conditional offer of employment for all positions. Safety sensitive positions will include a pre-employment drug screen. Positions subject to the Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations will be subject to DOT pre-employment drug testing and random drug and alcohol testing.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

Applications will be screened and the most qualified candidates will be invited to appear for testing. All positions require the ability to read, write and speak English. Types of tests may include written and/or oral examination, physical agility, practical exam or other appropriate job-related selection process. When testing is completed, candidates will be ranked on an eligibility list in the order of their test score. Selection for appointments is made from names certified on the eligibility list.

All appointments are subject to the successful completion of background investigation including LIVESCAN fingerprinting, and will be required to submit verification of the legal right to work in the United States.  Qualification by a medical examination will be required at the time of appointment. After appointment, classified employees must satisfactorily complete a probationary period to be eligible for regular status.  In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, all new employees must produce proof of eligibility to work in the United States within the first three days of their employment.  The City of Escondido participates in E-Verify®.

The Loyalty Oath will be administered to all new employees on their first day of hire. New employees hired into positions that require a driver's license must provide proof of a valid California Driver's License of the appropriate class level on their first day of employment.

Additional information regarding the essential functions and physical, environmental and communication demands of the position may be obtained from the Human Resources Department. If you require reasonable accommodation in the testing process, such as an alternate means of testing, you must contact the Human Resources Department by the final filing date to complete a Request for Reasonable Accommodation form. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an express or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.

Note: Pursuant to California Civil Code section 1786.53, the City of Escondido shall provide to all job candidates a copy of any records of arrest, indictment, conviction, civil judicial action, tax lien or outstanding judgment which was obtained in the course of conducting an evaluation for employment, assignment, and/or promotion. A copy of this information, if received by the City, will be given to candidates within seven days of the City's receipt.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE

Eligible individuals are those who meet the following criteria:

• Served in the U.S. armed forces
• Received an honorable discharge
• Did not retire from military service
• Seeking employment with the City of Escondido for the first time.

Guard and Reserve active duty for training purposes does not qualify for veterans' preference. Proof of eligibility (copy of DD-214) must be submitted at time of application, or later if the promulgation of the eligibility list will not be delayed. Veterans' preference credit will only be applied to eligible applicants who attained a passing grade (total score exclusive of credit) on the final open examination. 

ABOUT OUR CITY

The City of Escondido is a prominent agricultural, commercial hub and residential center of North San Diego County. Located a short 30-minute drive from the beach, the mountains or downtown San Diego, Escondido residents enjoy the pleasure of a rural lifestyle with all the benefits of suburban living. Escondido is a diverse, vibrant community with many amenities. The city offers attractive homes in a wide range of prices, two lakes, several parks, a sports center, golf courses, restaurants, wineries, shopping centers, a variety of art galleries, entertainment venues, and a state of the art hospital. Established in 1888, the city's rich past brings charm and stability to the community; yet integrated with Escondido's treasured heritage is a progressive future, bright and brimming with promise.

EOE The City of Escondido does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, disability, sex, age, national origin, or sexual orientation. We will attempt to reasonably accommodate applicants with disabilities upon request.