Toho Water Authority is dedicated to delivering innovative solutions through data driven decision making. We are seeking an experienced GIS Specialist to join our team and play a key role in leveraging geospatial intelligence, performance measures, and technology solutions to drive organizational success. The GIS Specialist is responsible for developing and maintaining spatial databases, maps, and GIS applications. This role collaborates closely with internal and external stakeholders to integrate GIS into various projects, provide technical expertise, and to conduct spatial analyses. As part of the GIS team, the GIS Specialist works to collaboratively implement new solutions, processes, and policies to support and optimize various functions while ensuring the efficient execution of projects and procurement strategies.

This position is a joint role with Toho’s Real Estate and GIS Teams and will support Toho Water Authority by maintaining spatial data sets related to easements, commitments and obligations, real estate, and utility assets within an ESRI ArcGIS Enterprise Environment. This role is responsible for interpreting legal land descriptions, developing cartographic products, handling stakeholder data requests and inquiries, conducting spatial analysis, and updating and maintaining ArcGIS Experience Builder applications. This position may be filled at a GIS Specialist level 1, 2, 3, or Senior depending on experience and demonstrable skills that align with Toho’s operational and business needs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Keeps the Toho Promise at the forefront by providing support, collaboration, expertise, and action; builds strategic and collaborative relationships in a way that builds confidence and instills trust; provides excellent customer service in achieving objectives and implementing innovative solutions to challenges. 
2. Read and interpret a wide variety of documents, such as legal descriptions and deeds, ordinances, subdivision maps, site plans, and construction, as-built, and record drawings.
3. Digitize GIS features from metes and bounds and/or Coordinate Geometry, geo-rectified images, and engineering drawings.
4. Work closely with Legal, Real Estate, Operations, Engineering, and Customer Service teams to ensure, deliver, and communicate accurate GIS data, updates, and deliverables in support of Toho project needs.
5. Document and complete geospatial projects assigned by the GIS Manager.
6. Preforms GIS QAQC using predefined processes.
7. Troubleshoot scenarios encountered by Toho staff and external partners.

8. Conduct training, presentations, and demonstrations as needed.
9. Performs GIS data capturing, data conversion, and data entry work using
    ESRI ArcGIS Desktop software; maintains integrity of data base using quality
    control procedures.
10. Coordinates and collaborates with other departments to ensure GIS goals, strategies, and objectives are met and on track.

11. Performs geospatial data analysis, conversion and data maintenance using advanced knowledge in ESRI products. 
12. Any other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Strong ability to work in a team environment and work productively and effectively with stakeholders and customers in various departments. 
• Ability to read and interpret complex legal land descriptions.
• Strong skills in the methods, techniques, and procedures utilized in the planning, design, maintenance, geocoding, georeferencing, and production of geospatial data.
• Best practices and techniques of cartography and map production.
• Data analysis and interpretation, including spatial analysis.
• Expertise in MS Office, creating and editing documents containing text and images, data entry and management in Excel spreadsheets and Access databases. 
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain that required qualification would be: 

GIS Specialist I

1. A minimum of a High School Diploma or GED issued from an approved GED Administrator. Any equivalent combination of education and experience
2. Minimum of 2 years of relevant experience.

GIS Specialist II

1. A minimum of a High School Diploma or GED issued from an approved GED Administrator. Any equivalent combination of education and experience
2. Minimum of 6 years of relevant experience.

GIS Specialist III

1. A minimum of a High School Diploma or GED issued from an approved GED Administrator. Any equivalent combination of education and experience
2. Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience.

Sr. GIS Specialist

1. A minimum of a High School Diploma or GED issued from an approved GED Administrator. Any equivalent combination of education and experience
2. Minimum of 14 years of relevant experience.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Proven experience interpreting legal descriptions.
• Proven success in supporting a utility spatial database.
• Bachelor's degree in Geography, GIS, or a related field.
• Proven experience with GIS software including import and export of GIS data.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent and effective communication and teamwork skillsets.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to handle or feel and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and bend, kneel, squat, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Environmental factors include indoor, flat surface, noise, sitting occasionally walking and standing.