Under general direction, the GIS Specialist leads, oversees and participates in GIS infrastructure maintenance, project management and GIS data updates. Oversees communicating with private businesses, developers, property owners and government agencies for maintaining spatial data. The GIS Specialist will help maintain and deploy maps, applications and spatial data in the ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Portal platforms. This position assists with oversight and training other GIS staff. The position designs and produces maps and graphics for other City Departments, extracting and creating data as required or requested, performs complex analysis of spatial information, field calculations, setting up databases, and other related duties. In conjunction with GIS Manager, this position is responsible for evaluating and implementing advanced technologies associated with evolving the GIS system.

Scope of Responsibility:
The position provides work direction to other City staff, has project management responsibility, exercises independent judgment and initiative and is responsible for the quality and accuracy of his/her own work. The incumbent utilizes complex problem-solving when providing elevated support in determining user needs and developing solutions. This position is expected to develop good working relationships with other departments, government agencies, private engineering firms and property developers.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Coordinates multi-departmental efforts to update and maintain the City’s GIS utility data.
   1. This position will be working with GIS staff and other departments to help coordinate data maintenance tasks for our GIS utility data.
        
2. Supports the GIS efforts needed to maintain the City’s asset management system.
   1. This position will be responsible for keeping the GIS utility data compatible with and meeting the needs of the City’s asset management system.
        
3. Creates and updates content in the ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Portal environments.
   1. Is responsible for helping City staff with spatial data tasks and requests;
   2. Helps to manage ArcGIS Online maps and applications in the organization’s account;
   3. Helps to manage ArcGIS Portal data, maps and applications;
   4. Helps to manage the ArcGIS Portal used for the asset management system; 
       
4. Manages GIS Projects and related datasets for City Departments. 
   1. Interprets incoming work requests and sets project goals and objectives;
   2. Manages ArcGIS Server websites and web services for the City; develops map display and mapping services for City departments;
   3. Works with other City departments to determine their GIS user needs and coordinates development to meet those needs;
   4. Works with other agencies in coordinating data and projects;
   5. Coordinates the acquisition of new spatial data, analyses, metadata, data conversion and supervise the integration of these data into the organization’s GIS;
   6. Participates in decisions with GIS Manager regarding data to be displayed to the public and internal staff; when and how to create new data; setting of ArcSDE SQL geodatabase schema; purchasing new equipment or software.
       
5. Performs lead technical duties in the day-to-day development, implementation, operation and maintenance of the City’s GIS. 
   1. Serves as a GIS lead and as a point of contact for other City departments, consultants and the public, on specific GIS and related matters;
   2. Troubleshoots, diagnoses, analyzes and takes corrective actions to resolve complex technical problems with the GIS and related software;
   3. Provides technical training in various aspects of the GIS software and database creation and operational support for GIS users;
   4. Tests new versions of software, implements updates and ensures compatibility;
   5. Develops Arcade/Python scripts for batch processing to perform long and complicated repetitive tasks create and edit models using ArcGIS ModelBuilder;
   6. Provides technical expertise, user training and elevated support to users in other departments.
       
6. Updates and maintains the City’s GIS databases on a daily basis.
   1. Scans, adjusts, rectifies, and digitizes data; converts data in different formats; researches and analyzes geographic and tabular data from public and private sources for integration into the City’s enterprise GIS. Imports and exports data from ArcGIS, AutoCAD, SQL, etc. into many different formats;
   2. Manipulates GIS data to create information products to meet specific needs; Creates maps and provides support for cartographic design and high-quality map production;
   3. Writes user and operation documentation for the GIS system including help user manuals for in-house and public GIS applications to ensure proper use of system.
       
       
7. Updates and maintains the City’s GIS datasets according to departmental policies and processes.
   1. Assists in cleaning data and entering data attributes; 
   2. Links images and document management system;
   3. Geocodes different databases;
   4. Makes corrections in response to changes and additional datasets being integrated into GIS;
   5. Performs field checks as necessary;
   6. Creates, updates and maintains GIS metadata;
      1. Updates spatial data on the City’s infrastructure such as streetlights, fire hydrants, roads, garbage routes, fire response zones, etc.
      2. Documents when data was created, who created it; updates coordinates, spatial data, Frequently Asked Questions, etc.
      3. Assist with development of GIS standards and procedures.
          
8. Helps maintain the GIS system for the Red River Regional Dispatch Center.
    
9. Develops and manages quality control procedures and evaluation of data acquired from within and outside the City. 
   1. Ensures timeliness of data and conformance with specs, policies and standards;
   2. Performs quality control and assurance checks by comparing final plans with GIS data and makes any corrections as needed to ensure integrity of City’s GIS data. Builds and maintains topology;
   3. Perform complex analysis on multiple department data to each other to ensure spatial integrity, no omissions or duplications, completeness of databases.
       
10. Communicates courteously and professionally and maintains working relationships with others in carrying out job functions. Works cooperatively to provide quality customer service. 
    1. Frequently interacts with others in the work unit, the public, vendors, other government agencies and across departments to exchange detailed and/or technical information;
    2. Communicates with, and provides advice to, management and others in the work unit regarding system development and strategic planning, including the allocation of necessary resources;
    3. Interactions occasionally include negotiations involving convincing the other party to do something to achieve a basic work-related objective;
    4. Manages relationships with collaborating and or related outside GIS organizations; Census, FEMA, Army Corps of Engineers, property developers;
    5. Interacts with private firms and the general public to respond to general inquiries
       1. Researches and provides information, data, or hardcopy maps, 
       2. Refers individual(s) to supervisor or other appropriate personnel to resolve issues as necessary.
    6. Attends professional group meetings to stay current on new trends and innovations in the field.
        
11. Analyzes processes and makes recommendations to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, and streamline work processes. 
    1. Assesses new computing technologies and business approaches, software and related systems to maximize efficiencies for improved services to users; recommend changes; develop plans to implement changes;
    2. Documents procedures and develops manuals for work unit processes;
    3. Maintains current knowledge of new and emerging trends and rapidly changing technologies in the field of GIS.
        
12. Performs all job duties in compliance with safety guidelines and with an ongoing awareness of safety practices.
    1. Knows and follows department and city rules as well as sound work and safety practices in order to accomplish the job objectives and avoid injury or loss;
    2. Wears proper protective equipment when policy requires or conditions indicate a need exists and utilizes proper body mechanics and ergonomics while performing work;
    3. When potentially unsafe conditions are observed makes efforts to avoid or correct them if they are controllable and draws them to the attention of the responsible supervisor or safety representative in a timely manner.
        
13. Performs other duties and activities as assigned.

The job requires a Bachelor’s degree with major coursework in geography, civil engineering, computer science, or closely related field with emphasis in geographic information systems, and four or more years of experience working with geographic information systems, including four years of experience with ESRI ArcGIS software; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above. A valid driver’s license is also required. Certified Geographic Information System Professional (GISP) preferred.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities include:

• Must have thorough knowledge of ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Portal;
• Thorough working knowledge of the principles of cartographic technology and GIS software, such as ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Server;
• Thorough knowledge of the operating procedures and policies of the department work unit. 
• Working knowledge of Microsoft’s SQL server;
• Knowledge of scripting language such as Python, Arcade; 
• Knowledge of engineering plans;
• Knowledge of and ability to work with geographic data in different coordinate systems and projections, and perform transformations and conversions between different systems;
• Skill in project management;
• Ability to prioritize work, meet deadlines, and make sound decisions within established guidelines;
• Ability to work independently;
• Skill in digitizing and data manipulation procedures for geographic information systems;
• Intermediate level skill with general office applications, such as Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and Access;
• Good writing skills for proper project and process documentation, training purposes, and metadata creation and maintenance;
• Ability to work independently, exercise judgment and initiative;
• Ability to read, interpret and work from complex engineering design plans; 
• Ability to communicate effectively in both verbal and written forms, and have good customer service skills;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

Physical Demands & Working Conditions:
Most work is performed in a normal office environment with extensive computer work. Work is generally light with considerable variety. Daily work often involves moving between buildings and rooms. Daily work also involves in person and phone conversations with the public and City departments. Occasional driving is required to attend meetings or field verify information. Work involves moving rolls of plans, lifting and loading rolls of plotter paper and operating plotters. Occasionally works outdoors verifying various locations. The job will involve dealing with and calming individuals who are emotionally charged over an issue. There is considerable attention to detail and deadlines. A professional appearance is a must.

Stooping, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing/listening, seeing/observing, repetitive motions.

Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects


Some requirements in this job description may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. All requirements are subject to modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and experience required. To perform this job successfully, the worker must possess the abilities and aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship. The City Administrator retains the discretion to add duties or change the duties of this position at any time.