GIS Specialist

JOB LOCATION

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

Hiring salary $29.19 - $36.49/hour

Salary to be commensurate with experience. 

The Parks, Recreation & Open Space Department (PROS) is responsible for encouraging active and healthy lifestyles and contributing to the quality of life in Aurora through the acquisition, planning, design, construction, programming, maintenance, and operation of the city’s parks, recreation, and open space system.

This position is within the Planning, Design and Construction (PD&C) division and plays a crucial role in supporting the department by managing, analyzing, and visualizing geospatial data. This role involves responsibilities in GIS data management, spatial analysis, project management, asset life cycle management and creating mapping products to support various departmental projects and initiatives.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct geospatial analyses of multiple datasets, integrating external data sources, and performing advanced spatial analysis techniques.
• Support the development and maintenance of Asset Management Systems (AMS), including data collection, database design, and documentation.
• Provide ongoing database maintenance for GIS data including conversion of data from AutoCAD files.
• Provide support for GIS data migration from SDE to AGOL.
• Create mapping products adhering to corporate cartographic standards and develop mapping solutions for various projects.
• Participate in GIS team meetings, special projects, and outreach initiatives, fostering collaboration and innovation.
• Serve as team lead, technical lead and project manager roles as needed.
• Assist in the publication of web services, maps, and applications via Portal for ArcGIS and ArcGIS Online.
• Utilize ArcGIS Notebooks (Python), Arcade, and Power Automate to streamline data workflows, automate processes, and enhance data integration and analysis capabilities.
• Diagnose and troubleshoot problems experienced with the use of GIS data and software.
• Coordinate with field staff on all data collection needs including data preparation/processing and field application development/maintenance.
• Serve as technical lead for CO 811 field locates.
• Assist with field data collection as needed.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

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

Education: 

• Associate’s Degree in GIS, Surveying, Geomatics, Environmental Science, Geography, or related field. 
• Bachelor’s Degree typically preferred but not required

Experience: 

• 0-2 years of progressively responsible experience at the GIS Specialist and/or GIS Analyst level, including data management, spatial analysis, and web applications support.

Knowledge:

• Proficiency in ArcGIS suite of software (ArcGIS Enterprise, ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online).
• Knowledge of database design, data management, and spatial analysis techniques.
• Familiarity with GPS concepts, coordinate systems, and geoid models.
• Knowledge of Python, Arcade, or other scripting languages preferred.

Skills: 

• Strong interpersonal, problem-solving and management skills.
• Easily liaises, communicates, and collaborates with others creating positive outcomes.
• Skill in checking information for accuracy and completeness and correcting errors.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and work in a fast-paced environment.

Abilities: 

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, all levels of management including

• executive staff, citizens, and elected officials.
• Handle sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Direct and effectively supervise a diverse workforce.
• Creatively solve problems, negotiate and handle stressful situations in a positive manner.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• Colorado driver's license with a good driving history.

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:

• Light work that involves moving nor more than 20 pounds at a time.
• Occasional lifting, carrying, walking and standing.
• Occasional pushing, pulling, bending, and stooping.
• Clear vision to read and interpret reports and other written documents.
• Speech communication and hearing to maintain communication with employees and citizens.
• Hand/eye coordination for operation of computer keyboard and measuring instruments.
• Hand/eye/foot coordination to operate a motor vehicle for field investigations.

Work Environment:

• Works primarily indoors but may work outdoors in all weather conditions and across all types of terrain with some exposure to dust, noise, traffic, and moving construction equipment.
• May be required to occasionally work outdoors to coordinate fieldwork and data gathering.

Equipment Used:

• Uses standard office and mobile equipment; engineering and measuring equipment; electronic instruments and components; motor vehicle.
• This position may require the incumbent to use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, etc.) in the course of their employment.

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.

Drug Testing, Thorough Criminal Background Check, and Employment References:
As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check and drug screening. Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies.