Conservation Data Specialist

DHRM; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid leave

State holidays

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Retirement plans

PSLF employer

Job summary

The Department of Conservation and Recreation seeks a Conservation Data Specialist to serve as a key data resource within the Division of Soil and Water Conservation. The role focuses on geospatial analysis, GIS modeling, and developing data-driven reporting tools to support Virginia’s agricultural nonpoint‑source programs.

You will manage GIS datasets, build models, and support the Nutrient Management Planning Program, while maintaining the division’s BI environment and providing user training

Qualifications

• Geospatial data analysis using Esri ArcGIS Pro/ArcGIS Enterprise/ArcGIS Online.
• Build and maintain spatial models and geoprocessing workflows.
• Develop and deploy mobile field data collection apps.
• Create BI reports with Power BI or similar.
• Data management workflows including QA/QC and reporting.
• Experience with MS SQL Server (views, tables, SSIS).
• Provide GIS user support and training.

Responsibilities

• Lead integration of geospatial data to improve program planning and decision-making.
• Design, maintain, and enhance spatial datasets.
• Build GIS models and analytic workflows.
• Support Nutrient Management Planning with data management.
• Manage Division BI environment with SQL Server views/tables for reporting.
• Support Conservation Application Suite users across Division and DSCDs.
• Maintain Division web content and assist with training on key apps.

Skills

Geospatial data analysis

GIS modeling

Mobile data collection

BI reporting

Data management workflows

SQL Server troubleshooting

Tools

Esri ArcGIS Pro

ArcGIS Enterprise

ArcGIS Online

MS SQL Server

SSIS

Power BI

Job description

Title: Conservation Data Specialist

State Role Title: Info Technology Specialist II

Hiring Range: $70,000 - $90,000

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Dept Conservation & Recreation

Location: MAIN STREET CENTRE

Agency Website: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is the state’s lead conservation agency, providing access for outdoor recreation, strengthening communities’ flood resilience, and protecting what Virginians care about: clean water, parks, natural habitat, and open spaces.
Serving a diverse commonwealth rich in nature and culture, DCR touches all Virginians’ lives.
DCR offers paid leave; a minimum of 13 paid state holidays per year; medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; retirement plans (including 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan for classified positions, and VaLORS for law enforcement positions); and is a federally recognized Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer.
DCR’s Mission is to conserve the natural, scenic, historic, and cultural resources of the Commonwealth. We invite you to learn more about DCR’s efforts to CONSERVE.
The Conservation Data Specialist role is a key data resource within DCR’s Division of Soil and Water Conservation, focused on geospatial analysis, GIS-based modeling, and developing data-driven reporting tools that support Virginia’s agricultural nonpoint‑source programs. The position also provides essential data management support for the Nutrient Management Planning Program.
The position is responsible for:

• Leading the integration of geospatial data to strengthen program planning, forecasting, and decision‑making.
• Designing, maintaining, and enhancing spatial datasets.
• Building and implementing GIS models and analytical workflows.
• Providing essential data management support to the division of Soil and Water Conservation with an emphasis on supporting the Nutrient Management Planning Program.
• Managing components of the Division’s business intelligence environment—including SQL Server-based database views and tables—to ensure accurate, accessible, and high‑quality reporting
• Supporting users of the Conservation Application Suite across the Division and local Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
• Maintaining Division web content, and assisting with training on key applications.

Minimum Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience developing, maintaining, and analyzing geospatial data, using Esri ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Enterprise, and/or ArcGIS Online.
• Demonstrated experience building and maintaining spatial models, geoprocessing workflows, or related environmental modeling.
• Demonstrated experience developing and deploying mobile field data collection applications.
• Demonstrated experience creating business intelligence reports using tools such as Power BI or similar platforms.
• Experience in data management workflows, including QA/QC, data submission schedules, and reporting for environmental programs.
• Experience with MS SQL Server, including views, tables, and Integration Services packages (SSIS).
• Experience providing user support, training, or technical troubleshooting for GIS or data applications.

Additional Considerations

• Experience administering Esri ArcGIS Enterprise and/or ArcGIS Online.
• Experience working with remote sensing data, including processing and analyzing imagery for environmental or agricultural applications.
• Experience working with data related to soil and water conservation and/or long‑term environmental datasets.
• Certification in GIS, or GISP.