Director of Geographic Data and Engineering (GDE)

City of New York; New York (NY); On-site; USD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of City Planning (DCP) seeks a Director of Geographic Data and Engineering to lead its GIS and Data Engineering teams. You will shape geospatial data strategy, governance, and service delivery for internal use and public portals.

Reporting to the CIO, you will steward on‑premise and cloud infrastructure, data products, and metadata, enabling citywide planning and transparent open data access.

Qualifications

• Six (6) years of progressively responsible supervisory experience in a large IT/geospatial environment.
• Strong leadership, management, and ability to mentor staff.
• Experience with GIS data governance and open data principles.

Responsibilities

• Lead GIS Specialists and Data Engineers to meet agency geospatial needs.
• Define data strategy, data product roadmaps, and governance standards.
• Oversee GIS databases, services, apps, and maps across on‑premise and cloud.
• Coordinate with CIO and other ITD leaders to align delivery with standards.

Skills

GIS leadership

People management

Strategic thinking

ArcGIS

QGIS

Python

GitHub

Azure DevOps

Communication

Urban planning

GIS platforms

Education

Degree in GIS/Geography/Engineering/City Planning

Tools

ArcGIS

QGIS

ArcGIS Pro

ArcGIS Online

Python

GitHub

Azure DevOps

Job description

Job Description

DISCLAIMER: Only candidates with permanent Civil Service status in the Computer Operations Manager civil service title, those reachable on the Computer Operations Manager civil service list, or those serving in a comparable civil service title can be considered for this position.

The Agency

The Department of City Planning (DCP) plans for the future of New York City, working to create thriving and dynamic neighborhoods with access to housing and jobs, resilient infrastructure, and a vibrant public realm. The Department engages communities to develop inclusive plans, expand housing access and economic opportunity, and plans for long‑term sustainability.

DCP supports the City Planning Commission in its annual review of hundreds of land use applications. The Department also advises on citywide strategic and capital planning, analyzes data, conducts policy analysis, and creates open data and civic engagement tools.

The Department of City Planning offers staff meaningful opportunities to help shape the future of New York City and address some of its most pressing challenges. The Department values public service, collaboration, and creativity, and supports professional development. Learn more about DCP at www.nyc.gov/planning.

The Division

Information Technology Division’s (ITD) vision is to become a dynamic and vibrant technology delivery organization of the New York City government that leads business transformations and technology innovations to enable citizen‑centric smart urban planning, while promoting a culture of collaboration, talent development, and equity. ITD is responsible for developing technology solutions to support agency needs and citywide asks, including City Charter mandates, grant funding requirements, and citywide geospatial services, and maintaining systems infrastructure and endpoint assets, to optimize operational efficiency, promote innovation, and collaborate with other city agencies to enhance service accessibility to citizens. The division provides necessary computing infrastructure and productivity‑enhancing technology tools in a hybrid mode (on premise and in the cloud), to support DCP’s interdisciplinary staff across five boroughs, including planners, urban designers, project managers, and executive management. The division is comprised of experienced and talented software engineers, geographic specialists, service engineers, and technology leaders who specialize in managing system infrastructure, cyber security, geospatial data engineering, application services, and portfolio management.

The Role

ITD is seeking a Director of Geographic Data and Engineering (GDE) unit to provide strategic leadership and oversight of the Division’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Data Engineering (DE) portfolios and teams. This technology leadership role is responsible for the management, modernization, and delivery of critical geospatial and data services that support the collection, integration, processing, analysis, and dissemination of tabular and spatial data across the agency and to external stakeholders. The Director will oversee the platforms, technologies, and services that enable the delivery of authoritative data to internal and external applications, decision‑support systems, and the City’s Open Data Portal. These capabilities support essential citywide operations, planning initiatives, policy development, and analytical functions that shape the future of New York City. Reporting directly to the Chief Information Officer (CIO), the Director will serve as a key member of the ITD leadership team. The position will be responsible for establishing and advancing enterprise data and geospatial strategies, ensuring architectural and data governance standards, promoting secure and scalable GIS solutions, and driving the successful delivery of innovative, reliable, and high‑performing systems that support DCP’s mission and strategic objectives.

Under general direction, with wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgment, the responsibilities of the Director of GDE include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Lead a highly motivated team of GIS Specialists and Data Engineers to support the geospatial needs of agency staff and provide timely updates of the agency datasets for use by other city agencies and the public.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive geospatial data and service strategy that supports the agency's mission and business objectives.
• Define data product roadmaps and ensure delivery throughout product lifecycles.
• Manage design, development, and maintenance of GIS databases, services, applications, and maps.
• Manage, maintain, and upgrade the agency’s GIS and Data Engineering infrastructure, on-premise and in the cloud.
• Provide technical support and expert advice to the agency staff and external clients for GIS software, geospatial analyses, and spatial datasets.
• Provide internal and external users with up-to-date, accurate geospatial data and accompanying metadata.
• Coordinate and ensure the agency’s compliance with Local Law 11 of 2012 (Open Data Law).
• Develop geospatial data, applications, and tools to serve information to DCP, other City agencies, and the public.
• Plan and implement data classification and data governance strategies.
• Publish and distribute agency datasets routinely and on demand.
• Collaborate with IT architects and developers to design, maintain, and optimize GIS and data pipeline infrastructure.
• Manage special projects and initiatives.
• Collaborate with ITD Project Management Office (PMO), other ITD Directors, and Team Leads to align systems and service delivery with established standards, governance frameworks, and portfolio reporting practices.
• Manage vendor relationships, service‑level agreements (SLAs), contracts, and associated budgets to ensure technical quality and cost‑effective delivery.
• Support capital and expense plan development for product builds, platform subscriptions, professional services engagements, and infrastructure investments.
• Allocate resources strategically across competing project priorities, balancing maintenance and operations commitments with new development initiatives.
• Establish clear performance expectations, allocate resources effectively, provide constructive feedback, and develop individualized professional growth plans to enhance team capabilities.
• Foster a high‑performance culture rooted in accountability, inclusivity, collaboration, continuous learning, innovation, and knowledge sharing aligned with DCP’s organizational values.
• Conduct formal performance evaluations in accordance with Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies and Human Capital (HC) processes within designated timeframes.
• Drive recruitment, onboarding, and retention of high‑performing GDE staff talent in a competitive market.
• Provide coaching, mentoring, and professional development guidance to GDE staff.
• Identify future agency leaders and provide the support and training needed to support succession planning.
• Comply with all NYC and DCP rules and regulations and standards of conduct.
• Observe regulations and agency guidelines concerning work hours, leave, mandatory training, hiring, vendor engagement, and procurement process.
• Team effectively with other ITD directors, managers, supervisors, and staff.
• Provide timely and updated contributions for weekly/monthly/on‑demand status reports.

Preferred Skills

• 6+ years of successful managerial experience leading a GIS or geospatial data team.
• Strong leadership and management skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire a team.
• Strong problem‑solving and analytical skills, with the ability to think strategically.
• Knowledge of GIS and geospatial software and tools, including ArcGIS, QGIS, and Python.
• 8+ years working as a GIS specialist or data engineer.
• Experience in GIS database design, development, and management.
• Experience using version control and/or project management tracking platforms like GitHub or Azure DevOps.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to present complex information to a wide range of audiences.
• Hands‑on experience using or working with GIS platforms such as ESRI, QGIS, or Carto.
• Experience with ESRI GIS technology and desktop software (ArcGIS Pro), ArcGIS Enterprise, ArcGIS Online.
• Experience developing production‑grade solutions.
• Experience with enterprise geodatabase management, design, and data modeling.
• Familiarity with at least one programming language such as Python, SQL, Java, JavaScript, .NET, C++, C#, or C.
• Knowledgeable in zoning, land use, and urban planning policies and regulations.
• A degree in GIS, Geography, Engineering, City Planning, or a related field is a plus.

DCP Managerial Responsibilities

Developing staff and teams:

• Building strong and cohesive teams, including integrating new staff into division and team structure
• Supervising and tracking the progress of staff projects and assignments and ensuring that employees are meeting their work goals and objectives
• Providing guidance and constructive criticism to employees and helping them develop as professionals, including but not limited to completing mid-year and year-end performance appraisals within designated timeframes
• Ensuring that staff are following citywide and agency policies

Advancing division and agency work plans:

• Managing and outlining the work program for teams and staff
• Overseeing internal and external stakeholder engagement and outreach
• Supporting internal and external communications
• Providing strategic and policy direction
• Planning through the use of robust analytics, research and analysis

Qualifications

1. Six (6) years of progressively responsible full‑time paid experience supervising or administering computer operations involving a large‑scale mainframe, network, or multi‑tier computer environment at least 18 months of which shall have been in an administrative, managerial or executive capacity.

2. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university may be substituted for a maximum of two (2) years of general experience described above. In the absence of a baccalaureate degree, undergraduate credits may be substituted for a maximum of two (2) years of general experience described above on the basis of 30 semester credits for six (6) months of experience.

3. A master’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Business Administration, Public Administration or Management of Administration may be substituted for a maximum of one (1) year of general experience described above. In the absence of a master's degree, graduate credits in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Business Administration, Public Administration or Management of Administration may be substituted for a maximum of one (1) year of the general experience on the basis of 30 graduate semester credits for one (1) year of experience. However, undergraduate and/or graduate credits may not be substituted for the eighteen (18) months of experience in an administrative, managerial, or executive capacity.

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

Agency Information

• Agency: DEPARTMENT OF CITY PLANNING
• Job Category: Technology, Data & Innovation
• Salary Band: $125,000 to $150,000
• Compensation: USD 140000 - USD 150000 - yearly

Key Additions

Authorization to work in the United States is required for this position. The NYC Department of City Planning does not offer sponsorship, of any kind, for any type of employment opportunity. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that they meet all minimum qualifying requirements for this position at the time of application.

Only applicants under consideration will be contacted. Appointments are subject to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval.

This position may be eligible for remote work up to 2 days per week, pursuant to the Remote Work Pilot Program agreed to between the City and labor unions.

NOTE: If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation during your visit or have questions regarding the accessibility of our facilities, please reach out to [emailprotected] or call 212-720-3508 at least three business days prior to your arrival.

COMPUTER OPERATIONS MANAGER (S - 10074