GIS Program Assistant (Project)

State of Washington; Olympia (WA); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Washington's Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP) is seeking a GIS specialist to perform data implementation, QA/QC, and mapping tasks within WISAARD, supporting cultural resource projects for state and tribal partners.

You will work under supervision with a hybrid schedule, develop geospatial datasets, communicate findings to stakeholders, and help ensure the accuracy and accessibility of statewide cultural resources.

Qualifications

• Two years GIS experience or two years education in GIS/computer science, or a combination.
• Experience assessing datasets for accuracy and completeness.
• Familiarity with GIS concepts, data quality control, and geospatial data.

Responsibilities

• Review and perform quality control on GIS datasets for accuracy and completeness.
• Enter and review data in WISAARD and map locational data.
• Georeference maps and pinpoint locations using GIS tools.
• Communicate progress with staff and stakeholders and support GIS/IT activities.
• Assist in testing GIS applications and provide backup to GIS/IT staff.

Skills

Strong customer service

Time management

Data analysis

Clear written communication

Professional integrity

Decision making

Team collaboration

Equity & inclusion mindset

Attention to detail

Data organization

Education

Two years GIS education

Two years of education in computer science or GIS

Job description

Schedule and Salary:

Office hours are 8AM-5PM, Monday-Friday. Hybrid/Telework schedules are available; there can be flexibility in start time, however because of DAHP's information technology solution, there are some technical limitations to performing assigned job duties virtually. As a result, DAHP requires at least one day in-office per week.

The annual salary range of compensation for this position is dependent upon qualifications, although the expected hiring salary will be less than the top of the range, to allow for growth and development movement.

What you will be doing:

Under general supervision, you will perform work requiring knowledge and experience that is specific to cultural resource preservation and geographic information systems (GIS). The agency's geographic information system is a specialized program area with specific complex components and discrete tasks which distinguish it from the main body of the agency. You will perform specialized technical duties in support of GIS Program activities; including, but not limited to, GIS data implementation and assessment of cultural resource recordation to DAHP reporting standards, carrying out assigned GIS Data Quality Assurance/Quality Control Program tasks, communicating information related to the progress and implementation of GIS related projects with the general public, tribal governments, state, local and federal level stakeholders, providing backup to GIS/IT Unit staff, granting access to DAHP cultural resource repositories, testing agency GIS applications as well as performing other assigned GIS projects.

A little bit about us:

The cultural and historic resources of a community tell the story of its past, a past that makes any single community distinct from all other places. From lumber mills to schools, sacred landscapes to archaeological sites, rustic cabins to office towers, our historic and cultural resources provide everyone with a tangible link to persons and events that have shaped our communities and ourselves. Preserving these physical reminders of our past creates a sense of place, the result being an environment that instills civic pride and community spirit.

By preserving significant cultural and historic resources, we are able to learn from past achievements (as well as mistakes) in order to improve, enrich, and even enliven, the Washington state that is passed to future generations. To learn more about the vision and role of historic preservation in the State of Washington, download our current Statewide Historic Preservation Plan (Download PDF reader).

What you will enjoy doing:

• Review and perform quality control on archaeological inventories, surveys, historic property inventories, cemetery inventories, traditional cultural property inventories, register nominations and other GIS datasets for accuracy and completeness.
• Assess data against DAHP reporting standards and guidelines and request more information from inventory/report authors when needed to meet standards.
• Enter and review for completeness data within DAHP's Washington Information System for Architectural and Archaeological Data (WISAARD) system related to the above datasets, and map locational data. Use GIS software to perform basic tasks, such as georeferencing maps and pinpointing locations.
• Track emails to shared support inbox from staff and outside stakeholders related to WISAARD, respond to emails, and forward emails to the appropriate staff if needed. Answer DAHP mainline as needed to back up the Administrative Assistant, answer general questions, direct callers to places on DAHP's website, or properly direct callers to staff members.

Required Skills and Competencies:

• Strong customer service skills
• Independently manage time, priorities, and resources to achieve goals.
• Examine data to grasp issues, draw conclusions, and solve problems.
• Convey ideas and facts orally and in writing using language the reader will best understand.
• Earn trust and respect through consistent honesty and professionalism in all interactions.
• Be responsible for the quality and timeliness of work and achieve results with little oversight and direction.
• Make timely, informed decisions that take into account the facts, goals, constraints, and risks.
• Be flexible with staff and search for solutions to staff issues.
• Partner with stakeholders to identify and resolve complex and sensitive problems.
• Diligently attend to details and pursue quality in accomplishing tasks.
• Identify, collect, and organize data for analysis and decision-making.
• Able to learn and understand the language and concepts of our DEI culture and commit to being a part of creating and maintaining a diverse, equitable, respectful and inclusive workplace.
• Demonstrate a commitment to growth, learning and self-awareness when provided training and opportunities to participate in improving our work environment.
• Participate and behave in a manner that creates trust and builds working relationships, promoting teamwork and collaboration in the work environment.
• Demonstrate the understanding that all people are valued; contribute to an equitable, inclusive and respectful environment when working with members of the group, team, organization or community.
• Commit to being an active participant in continually evaluating and improving strategies that promote equity and inclusion in our organization.

These skills are generally associated with:

• Two (2) years of experience with geographic information systems (GIS), assessing datasets for accuracy and completeness, collecting, editing, managing, or analyzing geographic data, or performing other related GIS functions

OR

• Two (2) years of education in computer sciences, GIS, or closely related field.

OR

• A combination of education and relevant experience totaling two (2) years.

Equity Competencies

State of Washington Employees contribute to ensuring services, programs, workplaces, and interactions are responsive, respectful, accessible, and effective to the people and communities we serve. Employees are expected to:

• Take action to learn and Grow: Demonstrate a willingness to learn from new experiences, seek feedback, consider different perspectives, and continuously improve knowledge, skills, communication, and approaches to work.
• Take action to meet the needs of others: Seek to understand the needs and experiences of customers, coworkers, and communities. Identify barriers to access and participation and address them before they become obstacles for the people we serve, providing support that is respectful, timely, and effective.

Opportunity for All:

The DAHP celebrates our differences and we are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as an individual with the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws.

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our organization.

Persons with a disability who need assistance with their application or need this announcement in an alternative format, may call [phone] or toll free [phone]. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.

NOTE: This position is included in a bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).