GIS Analyst

City-of-Fairfield,-Ct; Fairfield (CT); On-site; USD 70,000 - 98,000; Full time

Job summary

The Town of Fairfield is seeking a skilled GIS Analyst to manage municipal GIS, develop datasets, and deliver maps and analyses supporting planning, public works, and community development. Responsibilities include data governance, dashboards, and collaboration with engineering, planning, and IT teams.

The role emphasizes accuracy, accessibility, and effective communication with diverse stakeholders while maintaining asset inventories and supporting capital projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Geography, GIS, Urban Planning, Environmental Science, Public Administration, Computer Science, or related field.
• 3–5 years of professional GIS experience in municipal, regional planning, public works, or related public sector.
• Ability to travel and hold valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Lead GIS administration including server needs, data storage, and software upgrades.
• Develop GIS tools, models, workflows, and automated processes.
• Maintain and update municipal GIS datasets, layers, and metadata.
• Produce maps and analyses for planning, public meetings, and reports.
• Coordinate GIS data with permitting, land use, engineering, and asset management systems.
• Support interdepartmental projects and dashboards for infrastructure assets.

Skills

GIS software

Spatial analysis

Data management

Cartography

Python/Scripting

Project coordination

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Geography or GIS

Tools

ESRI ArcGIS Pro

ArcGIS Online/Enterprise

Web mapping tools

Field data collection tools

Job description

This class is accountable for performing highly responsible technical, analytical, and professional work in support of municipal planning, land use, public works, and community development activities. The GIS Analyst manages municipal geographic information systems (GIS), maintains and develops spatial datasets, produces maps and visualizations, and conducts spatial analysis to support long‑range planning, zoning administration, transportation studies, capital improvement planning, and public works asset management.

Supervision Received: Works under the general supervision of the Director of Public Works or designee.

Supervision Exercised: May lead or oversee the work of interns, consultants, and technical staff on assigned projects.

GIS Administration & Mapping

• Coordinates with the IT Department on GIS server needs, data storage requirements, and software upgrades.
• Develops automated geoprocessing tools, models, and workflows to improve GIS efficiency.
• Develops, maintains, and updates municipal GIS databases, layers, and metadata.
• Ensures GIS data accuracy, integrity, consistency, and compliance with local, regional, and state standards.
• Integrates GIS datasets with permitting, land use, engineering, and asset management systems.
• Maintains parcel fabric and coordinates parcel updates with the Assessor’s Office.
• Produces high-quality maps, graphics, and spatial analyses for planning studies, capital projects, reports, and public meetings.

Public Works & Asset Management Support

• Assists with capital project planning, prioritization, and data‑driven decision‑making.
• Assists with FEMA, MS4, hazard mitigation, and infrastructure grant reporting.
• Develops and maintains GIS‑based asset inventories for stormwater infrastructure, pavement, sidewalks, traffic signs, and other DPW assets.
• Performs spatial analysis for infrastructure condition assessments, lifecycle planning, and service‑area evaluations.
• Supports asset management systems and coordinates with pavement management and utility data workflows; supports maintenance scheduling and inspection programs.
• Maintains GIS layers supporting pavement management, drainage management, tree inventory, and capital planning.
• Develop dashboards and performance metrics for infrastructure assets.

Interdepartmental Coordination

• Collaborates with Engineering, Assessor, Planning & Zoning, IT, Emergency Management, Police/Fire, and Utilities to ensure consistent and shared GIS data.
• Coordinates with regional planning agencies, state GIS programs, and federal partners on data and compliance matters.
• Provides mapping and analysis support to boards and commissions including Planning & Zoning, Inland Wetlands, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Conservation.
• Serves as a primary point of contact for municipal GIS inquiries.

Public Engagement & Communication

• Designs and maintains public‑facing GIS applications, online maps, dashboards, and StoryMaps.
• Prepares presentation materials, maps, graphics, and visualizations for public hearings, workshops, and outreach efforts.
• Responds to information requests from residents, developers, businesses, and other stakeholders.

Data Analysis & Reporting

• Conducts spatial analyses involving land use impacts, zoning, build‑out, transportation networks, demographic changes, environmental constraints, and economic development trends.
• Prepares written reports, technical summaries, and recommendations to support planning and public works decisions.
• May assist with housing reports, Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD), and other land use and economic development reports as needed.
• Supports grant‑writing through the preparation of maps, data summaries, and demographic or infrastructure analysis.

Data Governance & Standards

• Establishes and maintains GIS data standards, naming conventions, metadata requirements, and quality control procedures.
• Maintains compliance with accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) for online mapping products.
• Manages version control, data backups, and documentation consistent with municipal and state guidelines.

Permitting System & Land Records Integration

• Assists with municipal permitting platforms such as OpenGov, EnerGov, Municity, or similar systems.
• Coordinates GIS integration with permitting, land records, and assessment systems.
• Supports workflows for parcel maintenance, property cards, and digital land records.

Emergency Management Support

• Conducts pre‑and post‑disaster mapping and damage assessments.
• Provides GIS support for emergency operations, hazard mitigation planning, incident mapping, and EOC activities.
• Performs related work as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of GIS software and tools including ESRI ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online/Enterprise, web mapping applications, and field data collection tools.
• Knowledge of cartography, spatial analysis, map design, data modeling, and geospatial database management.
• Knowledge of Connecticut General Statutes relating to planning and zoning (or ability to learn).
• Knowledge of engineering plans, parcel mapping, deeds, GPS data collection, and asset inventory practices.
• Knowledge of planning principles, zoning law fundamentals, subdivision regulations, and land‑use concepts.
• Knowledge of scripting and automation tools such as ModelBuilder, Arcade, SQL, or Python.
• Knowledge of standards for metadata, open data, accessibility (WCAG), and geospatial data governance.
• Ability to analyze and interpret complex spatial datasets and planning/engineering documents.
• Ability to communicate technical information clearly to both technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines across departments with minimal supervision.
• Ability to prepare accurate maps, graphics, and reports for professional and public audiences.
• Ability to work respectfully and effectively with diverse individuals, groups, and communication styles.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Geography, GIS, Urban Planning, Environmental Science, Public Administration, Computer Science, or a closely related field. Three to five (3‑5) years of professional GIS experience in a municipal, regional planning, public works, utility, or other public‑sector environment, including experience with cartography, spatial analysis, and database management. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel. Incumbents in this class are required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license. Occasional attendance at evening board/commission meetings may be required.

Affiliation

PETA (Professional and Technical Union) – Contract available under Human Resources Department/Union Contracts.

The Town of Fairfield is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Town will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourage both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the Town when necessary.