GIS Specialist (Water Resources)

DEFINITION:

Under general direction, perform duties in support of GIS administration, data management, research, planning, design and construction of irrigation, drainage, and other District facilities; perform topographic and mapping surveys, perform detailed mapping tasks; conduct field inspections and prepare reconnaissance reports and perform other duties as required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION:

• Develop and maintain the District’s Irrigation District GIS system, including geodatabase(s), applications, and other data sources.

• Assist District’s IT Department in the maintenance and upgrade of GIS and SQL servers supporting GIS functions. 

• Incorporate data from other database systems into the GIS system.

• Processing elevation data sources, such as DEM, LiDAR, and other external sources to display and perform various spatial analysis. 

• Perform various complex data analysis functions, including generation of tabular, graphical, and mapping data and the publishing and printing of said data. 

• Provide technical input and oversight for the creation, maintenance and integration of data collection and management processes necessary to perform the District’s business.

• Develop GIS applications using ArcGIS Pro for Portal and ArcGIS Online.

• Interact effectively with management staff to determine, recommend, and implement appropriate and cost-effective levels of technology.

• Plan and perform mapping surveys using mapping grade GPS data collectors.

• Maintain mapping grade GPS equipment in proper calibration by standard procedures.

• Update GIS as necessary, including incorporating new, modified, and/or relocated facilities. 

• Processing and maintaining engineering documents and legal records including rights?of?way, deeds, easements, drawings, agreements, and other documents.

• Perform office and field research.

• Provide GIS support and training to other District departments as directed.

• Provide direction to District consultants for the maintenance and development of systems integrating with the GIS platform.

• Perform other duties as requested, directed or assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Any combination of experience and education that would prepare the candidate for the duties and responsibilities of the position is acceptable.

Education:

• High School graduation or equivalent.

• College level or trade school course work in engineering, geography, GIS technology and/or data management is highly desirable.

Experience:

• Five (5) years of experience executing comparable duties and responsibilities similar to those identified in this job description.

Ability To:

• Understand and effectively implement GIS concepts and models.

• Understand and implement changing data management protocols.

• Communicate on a technical level with software developers, and District IT Department.

• Work with raster and vector drawings.

• Read and interpret maps and public works engineering/construction drawings.

• Communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing with District Management, supervisors, co? workers, and the public.

• Run Microsoft Windows® programs on personal computers including “Word”, “Excel”, “Access”, etc.

• Attend District directed course work related to daily activities.

• Frequently walk in uneven terrain, in an outdoor environment, in varied weather conditions in order to perform required tasks.

• Must have the ability to work independently and operate with minimal supervision, prioritize a widely fluctuating workload; and work well under pressure and meet continuous deadlines with a high degree of accuracy.

• Make judgmental decisions concerning hardware and software needs; analyze and resolve complex data inconsistencies; and properly interpret situations and make decisions accordingly.

• Work closely with all MID staff and management, constituents, consultants, contractors, other governmental agency representatives and the general public.

• Independently solve problems and make recommendations to District management to best serve the District.

• Provide prompt and proper response to public concerns and complaints.

• Handle confidential information appropriately and professionally.

• Apply common sense based on best engineering practices in resolving nonstandard situations, and field adjustments.

Knowledge of:

• Current version of ESRI software, such as Desktop and Pro and SQL software.

• Database design and management

• Basic SQL, Visual Basic and Python, Arcade programming languages.

• Various survey and GPS equipment functions and capabilities.

• Basic land surveying and Mapping principles

• Public Lands Legal Description System (Section, Township, Range).

• Nature of District rights?of?way (easement, fee, prescriptive etc.).

• Microsoft Windows ® based desktop computers and software.

Necessary Special Requirements:

• A valid California Class C Driver License and the ability to maintain insurability under the District’s vehicle insurance program.

• Abide by all District policies, guidelines and rules.

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS:

• Exposure to the sun: 10% or less work time spent outside a building and exposed to the sun.

• Irregular or extended work hours: Occasionally required to change working hours or work overtime.

• Work performed in an office environment.

The mental and physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

ESSENTIAL MENTAL ABILITIES:

• Exercise independent judgment.

• Self directing and organized.

• Reason objectively.

• Assess, project and plan work activities on a daily and weekly basis.

• Interpret state/ federal/agency regulations.

• Document concisely, accurately and timely.

• Handle a variety of duties which may be interrupted or changed by immediate circumstances.

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Communicate orally and in writing with District management, co-workers, outside auditors, customers, and the public in face-to-face and one-on-one settings.

• Transport, set-up and removal of promotional equipment and materials at various public functions.

• Use of office equipment such as computer, copiers, scanners, and fax machines.

• Capable of negotiating stairways and uneven ground from time to time.

Sitting:  Remains in a seated position for up to eight (8) hours per day 

Hands/Arms: Operates computer for up to eight (8) hours per day.

Lifting:  Raises and lowers boxes and supplies up to twenty-five (25) pounds. 

Stooping: Bends body downward and forward by bending at the knees or waist

Talking:  Expresses ideas and shares information by means of spoken work in person and by telephone.

Hearing:  Hears well enough to receive communications in person and by telephone.

Vision:  Reads written and video messages for up to eight (8) hours per day. Operate vehicles and office equipment.

SUPERVISION:

The position receives general supervision from the Deputy General Manager, Water Resources.