Senior Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Analyst

County of Santa Clara; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Santa Clara is seeking an experienced GIS Analyst to lead enterprise GIS architecture, data management, and geospatial analytics for county departments and partner agencies. The role involves designing scalable GIS solutions, coordinating with multiple stakeholders, and driving GIS-driven workflows across departments.

The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in GIS or related field and several years of IT/geospatial experience, with opportunities to mentor staff and advance GIS

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in GIS, Computer Science, Geography, Earth Science, Urban Planning, Mathematics, Engineering, Physical Sciences, Environmental Science, Geology or related field.
• Six years of IT work experience with geospatial data collection, analysis, conversion and maintenance; three years at GIS Analyst level.
• GIS Certificate may substitute for one year of relevant work experience.

Responsibilities

• Leads the Enterprise GIS system architecture design and implementation plan.
• Designs GIS system architecture; plans and executes system upgrades.

Skills

ArcGIS

SQL

Geospatial analysis

Project management

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in GIS or related field

GIS Certificate (preferred)

Tools

ArcGIS

SQL databases

Python

Data modeling

Job description

Under supervision, to provide spatial analysis, reporting, mapping, mapping application and technical support; to maintain and update the database using GIS and related software packages, and to prepare and develop data for distribution to county departments, the public, local, state and federal agencies, to provide spatial analytics for customers' needs, and create and integrate GIS applications for broader use of GIS.

• Leads the Enterprise GIS system architecture design and implementation plan;
• Works with management to understand business issues and their environment (includes external County partners, NGO's and affiliated governmental entities);
• Analyzes, proposes and maintains design of the GIS database and fileshares;
• Establishes standards for GIS data maintenance operation, GIS applications, maps, and other GIS products based on the research on best practices and own experiences particular to the organization;
• Performs advanced database design, development, administration and maintenance to ensure the integrity, completeness, and accuracy and accessibility of data layers for multiple users in a variety of environments; design and implements enhancements to databases to incorporate new data sets;
• Develops, monitors and coordinates project activities, such as scheduling tracking and reporting and assesses the impact of planned changes;
• Designs and implements GIS system architecture; plans and executes the system upgrades and maintains GIS systems and authorization levels;
• Leads the development of complex application programming to create solutions using GIS technology for business customers;
• Provides technical GIS leadership, coaching/mentoring to team members;
• Develop, program, test, install, and maintain custom GIS applications, scripts, and tools to automate processes;
• Working closely with DBA team, administer and optimize a variety of departmental and multi-agency data sets; establish security protocols and privileges;
• Designs GIS integrated business solutions and geospatial solutions, including geodatabase design, business workflow programming, and web applications and mapping;
• May lead GIS staff;
• Prepares detailed technical specifications from which programs will be written;
• Writes complex scripts and queries to identify database discrepancies, automate corrections, and automate updates;
• Compiles, integrates and analyzes data from a variety of sources, including aerial photography, terrain, topographic, hydrologic, and time-sequenced event data, in order to provide a concise visual representation of complex idea;
• Reviews existing and incoming data from outside agencies (Federal, State, local) for currency, accuracy, quality, documentation and consistency with central GIS database standards;
• Creates geodatabases, instances, tables, layers, and feature classes;
• Works with Business Analysts and customers to understand reporting requirements and to determine and analyze business processes;
• Codes, documents, and maintain GIS integrated business software and GIS application software;
• Codes, edits, installs, and verifies programs for accessing, maintaining, linking and populating databases;
• Creates new layers and maintains existing layers for the GIS database, performs quality control on the layers and maintains metadata for the layers in the GIS database;
• Develops test plans for new application functionality;
• Produces cartographic products for reports, meetings and presentations;
• Provide GIS guidance and training to lower level staff;
• Performs user training on GIS integrated business solutions and GIS applications and tools;
• Diagrams information flow, showing source and distribution of all segments, processing elements and channels;
• Performs complex spatial analyses including spatial statistics and building models for automation;
• Digitizes drawings and inputs them to the GIS database, following a standard procedure;
• Generates custom maps to meet specific customer requirements; researches and responds to customer requests for information;
• Generates production and quality reports as required;
• Analyzes and evaluates geo-spatial data and ensures GIS data is accurate and reliable;
• Participates in the auditing of data;
• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker, as required;
• Performs other related duties, as required.

Sufficient education, training, and experience to demonstrate the possession and direct application of the following knowledge and abilities:

Training and Experience Note:

Possession of a Bachelor's degree in GIS, Computer Science, Geography, Earth Science, Urban Planning, Mathematics, Engineering, Physical Sciences, Environmental Science, Geology or related field,

and

Six (6) years of IT work experience with geospatial data collection, analysis, conversion and maintenance. Three (3) years of this experience must be at a level comparable to the County's GIS Analyst classification.

OR

Possession of a Bachelor's degree in an unrelated field,

and

Eight (8) years of IT work experience with geospatial data collection, analysis, conversion and maintenance. Three (3) years of this experience must be at a level comparable to the County's GIS Analyst classification.

Possession of a GIS Certificate (requiring at least 27 semester units or 41 quarter units) may substitute for one (1) year of relevant work experience.

Special Requirements

• Ability to travel to alternate locations in the course of work. If driving, possession of a valid California driver's license prior to appointment and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County driver authorization.
• Depending on the position, related certifications may be desirable.

Knowledge of:

• Custom GIS applications, scripts, and tools;
• Detailed technical specifications;
• A variety of departmental and multi-agency data sets; establish security protocols and privileges;
• Complex scripts and queries to identify database discrepancies, automate corrections, and automate updates;
• GIS integrated business solutions and geospatial solutions, including geodatabase design, business workflow programming, and web applications and mapping;
• Data from a variety of sources, including aerial photography, terrain, topographic, hydrologic, and time-sequenced event data, in order to provide a concise visual representation of complex idea;
• Geodatabases, instances, tables, layers, and feature classes;
• Complex GIS analysis and modeling techniques;
• Principles and practices of project management and workflow analysis;
• Technologies closely tied with GIS such as GPS technology, CAD program formats (such as AutoCAD), and web technologies.
• Principles and practices of technical problem solving;
• Principles and practices of geographic information systems, cartography, including graphic design, data management and analysis;
• Principles and practices of producing effective project and technical documentation;
• Pertinent Federal State, and local statutes, laws, ordinances and rules as they apply mapping requirements;
• Geographic information and related computer systems, such as ArcGIS software suite and related software;
• Relational database management systems and principles;
• Principles and techniques of software and systems related to programming and scripting languages.

Ability to:

• Develop, program, test, install, and maintain custom GIS applications, scripts, and tools to automate processes;
• Prepare detailed technical specifications from which programs will be written;
• Work closely with DBA team, administer and optimize a variety of departmental and multi-agency data sets; establish security protocols and privileges;
• Write complex scripts and queries to identify database discrepancies, automate corrections, and automate updates;
• Design GIS integrated business solutions and geospatial solutions, including geodatabase design, business workflow programming, and web applications and mapping;
• Compile, integrate and analyze data from a variety of sources, including aerial photography, terrain, topographic, hydrologic, and time-sequenced event data, in order to provide a concise visual representation of complex idea;
• Review existing and incoming data from outside agencies (local, state, federal) for currency, accuracy, quality, documentation and consistency with central GIS database standards;
• Create geodatabases, instances, tables, layers, and feature classes;
• Work independently and in a team environment;
• Effectively manage multiple projects and priorities;
• Plan, organize, coordinate, and prioritize work;
• Train others in the operation and use of GIS related equipment, systems, and software;
• Use the ArcGIS software suite (or similar software) to compile data, generate maps and reports, and perform related tasks;
• Recognize problems and develop recommendations and solutions;
• Read and interpret different types of construction plans, property documents (e.g. legal descriptions, easements, etc.) and maps;
• Organize projects and manage time effectively applying considerable independent judgment and initiative;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others;
• Analyze and solve problems logically, and follow detailed instructions;
• Communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing to various audiences;
• Integrate complex disparate spatial and tabular databases;
• Perform complex analytical tabular and spatial queries;
• Design, create and print professional level graphic representations of the data as maps;
• Gather and document user requirements for projects.