Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Supervisor

County of Orange; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Orange is seeking an experienced Drone Team Supervisor (GIS Supervisor) to lead cutting-edge UAS operations across county infrastructure, environmental, and public safety projects. You will manage a team of GIS Analysts and Technicians, ensure data integrity, and drive interoperability with existing GIS systems.

The role emphasizes leadership, drone technology expertise, and safe, compliant operations to support informed decision-making for residents and stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Five years of professional drone experience operating Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles.
• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate is highly desirable but not required.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs or more to transport UAVs and equipment.

Responsibilities

• Plans, schedules, and coordinates UAS flight operations countywide.
• Develops SOPs and best practices for safe, compliant UAS operations.
• Supervises Drone Team staff and monitors project progress from planning through delivery.
• Oversees UAS platforms, sensors, and equipment lifecycle; evaluates new tech.
• Performs QA/QC of UAS-derived geospatial products to ensure accuracy.

Skills

Drone operations

Leadership

Geospatial data

UAS data processing

GIS knowledge

Tools

ArcGIS Pro

ArcGIS Online

Python

JavaScript

LiDAR

Job description

DRONE TEAM SUPERVISOR
(Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Supervisor)

Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

This recruitment will establish an open eligible list that will be used to fill current and future Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Supervisorpositions. The eligible list established may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County of Orange.

DEADLINE TO APPLY

This recruitment will be open for a minimum of five (5) business days and will close on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at 11:59 P.M. (PT).

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES/OC PUBLIC WORKS

Administrative Services leads the financial and administrative operations for the department. This includes management of public information, policies and procedures, fee studies, strategic financial planning, budgets, goods and services procurement, public records requests, parking and building administration.

OC Public Works provides services on a regional basis to unincorporated areas, to cities, and to other County agencies and departments. The primary mission of the department is to protect and enrich the community through efficient delivery and maintenance of public works infrastructure, planning, and development services. OC Public Works' core values are integrity, accountability, service and trust.

OCPW is a unique County department comprised of ten (10) service areas: Administrative Services, Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights & Measures; OC Construction; OC Development Services; OC Environmental Resources; OC Facilities Design & Construction and CUF; OC Facilities Maintenance & OC Fleet Services; OC Infrastructure Programs; OC Operations & Maintenance.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Orange County Public Works is seeking an experienced and innovative Drone Team Supervisor (Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Supervisor) to lead its cutting-edge Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) operations. This is a unique opportunity to oversee a high-performing team responsible for collecting and delivering geospatial data that supports major infrastructure, environmental, and public safety projects countywide. The ideal candidate will bring strong leadership skills, technical expertise in drone technology and data processing, and a commitment to advancing aerial data capabilities through safe, compliant, and efficient operations. By ensuring the highest levels of data integrity, quality assurance, and technical interoperability, the ideal candidate will enable more informed decision-making, streamline project delivery, and directly contribute to the County’s ability to effectively serve its residents and stakeholders. The GIS Supervisor also trains, assigns, supervises, and monitors the work of GIS Analysts, Specialists, Technicians, and other related positions. This position is distinguished from the GIS Analyst by having responsibility for the full supervision and oversight of the most complex countywide GIS projects.

Responsibilities and duties for this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Plans, schedules, and coordinates UAS flight operations and field assignments to support countywide infrastructure, environmental, surveying, and public safety projects
• Develops, implements, and maintains standard operating procedures (SOPs), policies, and best practices for safe, compliant, and efficient UAS operations, including flight planning, equipment use, data collection, and field operations
• Supervises and assigns work to Drone Team staff, coordinates project priorities and resources, and monitors the progress and quality of UAS projects from initial planning through final deliverable
• Oversees the acquisition, maintenance, deployment, and lifecycle management of UAS platforms, sensors, and related equipment, and evaluates emerging technologies to improve the County's aerial data collection capabilities
• Reviews and performs quality assurance/quality control of UAS-derived geospatial products, including imagery, photogrammetric products, LiDAR, and other datasets, to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with established standards
• Coordinates with internal and external customers to identify project requirements, develop flight plans and project schedules, communicate project status, and ensure UAS deliverables meet operational and technical needs

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIES

The ideal candidate will possess five (5) years of professional drone experience operating Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles. Possession of a valid FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate is highly desirable but not required. The successful incumbent will also need to be able to lift 50 lbs. or more to be able to transport UAVs and related equipment.

In addition, the ideal candidate will also have extensive experience in the following core competencies:

Technical Knowledge

• Knowledge of UAV/UAS/Drone photogrammetry, LiDAR, and multispectral technology
• Strong understanding of surveying, engineering, and civil construction principles
• Proficient in working with GNSS devices
• Experience in building web applications, both custom and out-of-the-box solutions
• Capable of using scripting or programming languages
• Background in ESRI ArcGIS Server, ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Desktop, and associated extensions
• Practical experience with ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Portal
• Proficiency in programming languages including Python, JavaScript, AutoLisp, and .NET

Analyzing and Interpreting Data

• Experience performing complex survey/engineering analysis of Geospatial data
• Ability to provide analysis and recommendations for modifying procedures
• Skilled in developing story maps and using web GIS tools
• Capable of processing and analyzing 3-dimensional geospatial data

Written and Verbal Communication

• Experience developing and preparing maps and reports of Engineering and GIS data
• Effectively communicate, both orally and in writing, project progress and recommendations to all levels of invested parties
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with all internal and external parties involved with assigned project

Supervisory/Leadership Skills

• Builds good working relationships with internal and external customers to achieve department objectives
• Identifies projects and coordinates resources to ensure successful completion of projects and achieve organizational goals and objectives
• Makes sound decisions under pressure
• Leads by example by having technical and interpersonal skills to direct the work of seasoned staff and mentor those with less experience
• Ability to delegate tasks to those employees best equipped to handle the task, while still ensuring accuracy and timely completion of tasks
• Effective communication both in directing the work and receiving information from subordinates and management
• Promotes a culture of valuing staff and their contribution

LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

Possession of a valid California Driver's License, Class C or higher, is required by date of appointment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

NOTE:Foreign degrees require an evaluation of U.S. equivalency by an agency that is a member of National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (N.A.C.E.S.).

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Human Resource Services (HRS) will screen all application materials to identify qualified applicants. After screening, qualified applicants will be referred to the next step and notified of all further procedures applicable to their status in the competition.

Application Screening (Refer/Non-Refer)

Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those applicants that meet the qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step.

Structured Oral Interview | SOI (Weighted 100%)

The Structured Oral Interview is a timed assessment. Applicants will provide answers to job-related questions, which will be rated by a panel of subject matter experts using standardized evaluation criteria. Only the most qualified candidates will move advance to the next step in the recruitment process or will be placed on the eligible list.

Only the most qualified candidates will advance to the next step in the recruitment process or will be placed on the eligible list.

Eligible List

Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies. Based on the County's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedures.

Veterans Employment Preference

The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

The County of Orange is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Individuals who require a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should notify the recruiter listed on the job posting as soon as possible. Documentation supporting the accommodation request may be required.

EMAIL NOTIFICATION

Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.

NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply. Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, contact Brian Quinlan at [e-mail] or 714-667-9750.

Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply