GIS Specialist

City of Yakima; Coulee City (WA); On-site; USD 72,000 - 87,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Yakima is seeking an experienced GIS Specialist to join the ITS Division. You will maintain and analyze complex geographic data, publish GIS outputs, and manage user access for security. You will coordinate and lead multiple GIS projects within IT Services.

The role requires leading GIS initiatives, ensuring compliance with standards, and supporting city departments with geospatial solutions.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED and four (4) years progressively responsible experience as a GIS Specialist or GIS Analyst.
• A GISP or Bachelor’s degree in GIS, geography or computer science or a related field may substitute for up to two (2) years of the required experience.

Responsibilities

• Maintains and analyzes complex geographic data.
• Publishes GIS data, maps, analysis, reports, charts, and graphs in static and online content.
• Manages user access and security roles to ensure appropriate access.
• Coordinates and acts as a lead for multiple concurrent GIS and IT Services projects.

Skills

GIS

Geospatial analysis

Geocoding

Data management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in GIS/geography/CS

High school diploma or GED

Tools

GIS software

Job description

Salary

$6,479.20 - $7,789.60 Monthly

Location

City Hall, WA

Job Type

Full-time

Department

Admin/City Management

Division

IT Services

Opening Date

09/22/2026

Closing Date

10/16/2026 4:00 PM Pacific

Bargaining Unit

AFSCME

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Initial candidate eligibility is based on the job application and any accompanying documentation. It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide sufficient information and details within the body of the application (education and work experience sections) to permit the City of Yakima to properly evaluate the candidate's qualification, abilities and experience as it relates to the requirements of the position. For calculation of experience, one year of experience equals 12 months with a minimum of 173.33 hours per month. Additional required documents must be attached. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of application fields.

Overview And Minimum Class Requirements

Come join the GIS team at the City of Yakima! Being a full-service city, the ITS Division uses the latest GIS technology to create solutions for city departments and the public. With a large variety of GIS demands, we need an experienced GIS Specialist to keep us moving forward!

Minimum Class Requirements

High school diploma or GED and four (4) years progressively responsible experience as a GIS Specialist or GIS Analyst. A GISP (Certified Geographic Information Systems Professional) or Bachelor’s degree in GIS, geography or computer science or a related field from an accredited college or university may substitute for up to two (2) years of the required experience.

Candidates must be able to pass a background investigation regarding applicant’s aptitude, character, judgment, credit, driving record and criminal history.

LICENSES, REGISTRATION AND CERTIFICATES

Must obtain/possess and maintain a valid Washington State Driver’s License.

Job Summary

Under general supervision of the Information Technology (IT) Services Manager or designee, exercises independent judgment in analyzing problems, issues and situations; develops and implements recommendations. Organizes, leads, coordinates, facilitates and/or performs the planning, design, development and implementation, organization and maintenance of City Geographic Information System (GIS) services; implements and analyzes program effectiveness; coordinates the collection and analysis of data and other information. Provides leadership, guidance and technical expertise for City of Yakima GIS. Monitors, delegates and follows-up on assignments to assigned staff. Ensures compliance with local, state and federal standards, rules, regulations and requirements.

Essential Functions

Maintains and analyzes complex geographic data. Provides GIS database editing, geocoding, geoprocessing, data conversion, workflow management, spatial analysis, and quality control processes in desktop and web-based environments. Publishes GIS data, maps, analysis, reports, charts, and graphs in the form of static and online content. Researches, creates, and produces spatial layers, analysis, maps, regulatory map reports, charts, and cartographic displays. Manages user access and security roles to ensure employees have appropriate access, limited to areas required to perform their assigned duties.

Trains, troubleshoots and provides user support for city applications. Updates user access rights for data and/or applications. Supports and maintains software integration between city applications. Provides timely response to user requests for assistance. Works to identify user needs and assists with implementations required for city applications systems. Coordinates and acts as a lead for multiple concurrent GIS and other IT Services projects and/or programs as assigned.

Documents activities and resource demands; researches, analyzes and makes recommendation regarding website design, upgrades and/or security. Researches, retrieves, updates and analyzes complex information and data. Formulates related reports, including current analysis, recommendations, conclusions and possible ramifications. Communicates