Water GIS Intern

City of Aurora; Aurora (CO); On-site; USD 27,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Aurora, Colorado is seeking a GIS Intern to support the Aurora Water Department with data collection, mapping, and analysis. Responsibilities include creating assets in the geodatabase, maintaining CMMS data, and assisting with field data collection.

You will work under guidance to produce maps and web GIS outputs using ArcGIS Online/Portal and related tools, gaining experience in cartography, data management, and asset lifecycle support.

Qualifications

• ESRI ArcGIS software expertise required (ArcGIS Pro & ArcGIS Online).
• Cartographic design experience and data management skills.
• Knowledge of GIS data collection, interpretation, and documentation.

Responsibilities

• Create and track assets in a versioned geodatabase and CMMS using AutoCAD drawings.
• Research and verify GIS data from source documents for accuracy.
• Support asset management activities and develop department maps.
• Provide training and support on GIS tools to staff as needed.
• Prepare maps and web GIS outputs using ArcGIS Online/Portal.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Customer service

Analytical skills

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Current enrollment or recent GIS program graduate

Tools

ESRI ArcGIS

AutoCAD

Bluebeam

INFOR Public Sector

NEXGEN

FME

Aquanuity

SQL

Job description

City of Aurora, Colorado

It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we're growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that is used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of:

JOB LOCATION

Aurora, Colorado 80016-2946

City of Aurora, Colorado

It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we're growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of: Integrity, Respect, Professionalism, and Customer Service, and we welcome all who share these values to apply.

Why Work for Aurora?

• Make a difference in the lives of real people every day
• Diverse community
• Competitive total compensation package
• Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan
• Light rail station minutes away
• On-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement
• Access to innovation workspaces

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

Salary to be commensurate with experience

The hiring range for this position is $19.45 - $26.40 per hour.

This is a term-limited position with an anticipated duration of 12 months.

This is classified as VHNE (Variable Hour Non-Benefit Employee), where the selected candidate will work less than 29 hours per week. This position does not provide medical benefits. This position earns sick leave in accordance with the Healthy Families and Workplace Act.

The deadline to submit applications is September 3rd, 2026. Please note, The City of Aurora will conduct ongoing screenings of applications on a first come, first-serve basis; as soon as we determine to have a qualified pool of applicants, this position may close quickly and without notice.

Overview Of Position / Department

The GIS Intern job is responsible for a variety of GIS tasks related to supporting the diverse needs of the Aurora Water Departmentincludingdata collection and interpretation,data analyses, data/database management, cartography, and continuedsupport of mobile and web GIS technologies.

Primary Duties And Responsibilities

• Create new assets and track their associated attributes in a versioned enterprise geodatabase (ArcSDE) and Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) using AutoCAD files and engineering drawings.
• Oversee and conduct research to find and verify GIS data from source documents to maintain water department GIS and CMMS data.
• Support asset management activities.
• Assist in providing training and technical assistance in the use of GIS data, software, and mobile applications to department staff.
• Prepare maps for various department divisions using proper cartographic principles.
• Utilize ESRI ArcGIS Online/Portal applications such as web maps, web apps, dashboards, story maps and other applications to meet the needs of various department divisions.
• Process and share data for department GIS applications (system models, asset management, master planning etc.) and fulfill external data requestsas needed.
• Perform GIS analysis to support decision making.
• Assist with field data collection as needed.
• Performing additional related duties as assigned.

The listed primary duties and responsibilitiesarenot a comprehensive list of expectations for the job. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.

Minimum Qualifications & Working Conditions

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Education:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Must be currently enrolled or a recent graduate from an accredited GIS program.

Experience:

• Experience with ESRI products and cartographic design.

Preferred Experience

• Current or prior GIS-related internship

Knowledge:

• Working knowledge of ESRI ArcGISsoftware (ArcGIS Pro & ArcGIS Online), cartographicdesign, Microsoft Suite
• Knowledge of related software (AutoCAD, Bluebeam, INFOR Public Sector, NEXGEN, FME, Aquanuity, and SQL) considered a plus.
• Knowledge of the utility industry and ability to interpret engineering drawings preferred.

Skills

• Strong interpersonal, customer service, and analytical skills

Abilities:

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and citizens, communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Analyze and compile technical information and reports; make presentations
• Interpret and apply applicable laws, ordinances, and policies

WORKING CONDITIONS

Essential Personnel

• When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the City, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel.

Physical Demands:

• Sedentary physical work that involves moving no more than 10 pounds at a time with or without assistance.
• Occasional lifting, carrying, walking, and standing.
• Vision sufficient to read computer screens, printouts, and related documents with or without assistance.
• Dexterity to operate a computer system and other related equipment with or without assistance.
• Speech communication and hearing to maintain communication with employees and citizens with or without assistance.

Work Environment

• Works in a clean, comfortable environment.
• The work environment will occasionally include field visits to Aurora Water facilities (treatment facilities, pump stations, tanks, reservoirs, etc.)and linear assets (water pipes, wastewater pipes, and stormwater pipes, valves, ponds, and manholes).

Equipment Used

• Uses standard office equipment including personal computers.
• Uses common office software, advanced software, and on-premises and cloud databases.
• This position may require the incumbent to use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment.

The city of Aurora will implement furlough days (unpaid days off) for most employees in 2026. The scheduled furlough dates are January 16, April 10, July 2, and December 24.

For Veterans preference:

Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application.

The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer. We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants. It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission.

Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug-free workplace. A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired.

As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check. Applicants selected for safety-sensitive positions are required to complete and pass a drug screening as a condition of employment. Safety sensitive positions include Civil Service positions within Police and Fire Departments and positions where their job responsibilities have direct and substantial responsibility that would impact the health and safety of others. Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies.