GIS Specialist, level 2 or 3

This position is eligible for a hybrid (both remote and onsite) telework arrangement. Candidate's permanent residence must be in Minnesota or Wisconsin.

We are the Metropolitan Council, the regional government for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. We plan 30 years ahead for the future of the metropolitan area and provide regional transportation, wastewater, and housing services. More information about us on our website.

We are committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Information Services is the central IT department supporting all divisions of the Metropolitan Council. Our 140 team members provide technology, practices and innovative solutions that enable the core services of the Council.

How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region:
The GIS Specialist, which will be filled at a 2 or 3 level depending on qualifications, will work with one or more Metropolitan Council Divisions (Metro Transit, Environmental Services, Community Development, Metropolitan Transportation Services and Regional Administration) to develop new and innovative GIS applications and databases focused on Asset Management. This position will also lead GIS projects; create web mapping applications, create cartographic products and reports, perform spatial analyses and processing tasks; develop and maintain GIS datasets, utilize GIS programming techniques; and collaborate with other internal and external GIS professionals to efficiently deliver GIS products, applications and services. Work tasks are varied and provide challenging and rewarding opportunities.

GIS SPECIALIST, level 2

• Use GIS and other software tools to develop a variety of custom map products and small applications to meet specific business partner requirements.
• Assists in asset management software implementation and integrations. Support in the implementation of Esri Indoors and creating standards and documentation on workflows.
• Assist in the support and update of GIS data libraries; review data for completeness and accuracy; and develop and edit datasets using standard data practices, processes, and Council software to provide consistent and readily available access to GIS data for internal and external customers.
• Design, evaluate and recommend specifications for asset management data, data acquisition, and data development. Establish and develop documentation for asset management data and software best practices.
• Develop mapping applications, ETLs, and application integrations. Including working on data and integrations with an Enterprise Asset Management System.
• Create and update scripts using Python to automate data and workflow processes.
• Assist GIS desktop software users by answering questions, solving technical problems, teaching techniques, and demonstrating best practices.
• Develop a plan, organize, and implement GIS projects of limited scope, individually or with others, using GIS technologies to meet the needs for GIS data, maps, and other products for Council business units.
• Analyze, examine, and display geographic information using GIS processing technologies to effectively communicate spatial information in maps, tables,
• graphs, and report forms to business partners throughout the Council and to their clients.
• Research new technologies related to GIS by reviewing and evaluating trends, new hardware, software, and applications.
• Research and analyze geographic data using geographic concepts and analytic methods, graphing, database, statistics, and other software including ArcGIS, Excel, and SQL Server to develop applications, models, create scripts, and interpret results.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

GIS Specialist, level 3

• Consults with GIS professionals and other staff in all Council Divisions to plan, design and implement GIS activities.
• Identifies shared geospatial needs within and between divisions to guide the development and utilization of shared resources and tools.
• Works with IS business partners to develop and coordinate methods and processes that can be applied Council-wide.
• Organize and maintain data and processes to support the Council's GIS databases.
• Supports System Administrators with technical database development including branching and versioning for Esri Indoors implementation. Uses SQL to help manage data in relational databases.
• Leads GIS professionals in the development of business cases, requirements gathering, development of project plans, identification of roles and responsibilities, establishment of Service Level Agreements.
• Serves as a primary contact for Council GIS users. Supports users by providing analytical support, workflow automation, tool development, scripting services, and other types of Python, ArcPro, and ArcGIS Server application support.
• Responds to questions about the Councils' GIS data, applications, and software.
• Design workflows and maintain tools for administering the system.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

GIS SPECIALIST 2/ GRADE G

Any of the following combinations of experience using Esri software and other geospatial technologies, including experience designing and creating cartographic products, creating geoprocessing solutions to support customers, and developing geospatial datasets and metadata, AND completed education (degree field of study) in Geography, Geographic Information Systems, or a closely related field.

• High school diploma/GED with six (6) years of experience.
• Associate degree with four (4) years of experience.
• Bachelor's degree or higher with two (2) years of experience.

GIS SPECIALIST 3/ GRADE H

Any of the following combinations of experience using Esri software and other geospatial technologies including experience designing and creating cartographic products, creating geoprocessing solutions to support customers and developing geospatial datasets and metadata, AND completed education (degree field of study in Geography, Geographic Information Systems, or a closely related field.

• High school diploma/GED with eight (8) years of experience.
• Associate degree with six (6) years of experience.
• Bachelor's degree or higher with two (2) years of experience.

What additional skills and experience would be helpful in this job (desired qualifications):

• Master's degree in Geography, Geographic Information Systems or closely related field.
• Experience building solutions on the ESRI AGOL, Portal, or Enterprise Platform.
• Experience developing data and documentation for asset management GIS standards.
• Experience with Esri Indoors.
• Experience programming and scripting within the Esri software environment, particularly with Python.
• Experience with branching and/or versioned databases.
• Experience organizing and leading geospatial projects.
• Experience directly supporting ArcGIS desktop software users.
• SQL development experience or integration work with asset management software.
• Experience in application/interface development using .Net.
• Experience working with diverse populations of internal and external customers.

• Knowledge and understanding of cartographic design principles using various media formats.
• Knowledge and understanding of geospatial technology, principles, and software.
• Knowledge of database design, information needs and metadata.
• Knowledge of statistical analysis techniques and quantitative geographic analysis methods.
• Knowledge of relational database management systems and ArcGIS scripting languages.
• Knowledge of techniques for eliciting business requirements.
• Knowledge of basic project planning and management principles.
• Knowledge of geographic methods and GIS technology to research and analyze business issues to recommend solutions.
• Ability to use Esri software (ArcGIS Desktop, ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Server, ArcGIS Extensions) including tools, databases, and resources such as Model Builder, Shapefiles, Geodatabases and Web Services.
• Ability to develop project plans (including defining scope, estimating resource requirements) and monitoring and reporting on progress.
• Ability to lead small, collaborative groups.
• Ability to provide direct customer support for GIS users.
• Ability to create programs and scripts using Python.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret system documentation, technical procedures, rules, and regulations; write reports, business correspondence and procedural manuals; present technical information and concepts to non-technical audiences and system users; and respond professionally to questions from groups, customers, or clients.
• Ability to provide basic client services to the public and other departments in the organization using tact, courtesy, and cooperation.
• Skilled in MS Office Suite including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Access.

What you can expect from us:

• We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
• We encourage our employees to develop their skills through on-site training and tuition reimbursement.
• We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits and a good work/life balance.

More about why you should join us!

GIS 2
Union: American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)
Grade: G
FLSA Status: Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No
Full Salary Range: $38.26- $62.05 hourly/ $79,581 -$129,064 annually

GIS 3
Union: American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)
Grade: H
FLSA Status: Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No
Full Salary Range: $41.34 - $67.08 Hourly/ $85,987 -$139,526 annually

What your work environment would be:
You would perform your work in a standard office setting. Work may sometimes require travel between your primary work site and other sites.

What steps the recruitment process involves:
1. We review your minimum qualifications.
2. We rate your education and experience.
3. We conduct a structured panel interview
4. We conduct a selection interview.

Once you have successfully completed the steps above, then:
If you are new to the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a drug test (safety-sensitive positions only) and a background check, which verifies education and employment, and covers your driving record (if applicable to the job) and any criminal record. If you have a criminal conviction, you do not automatically fail. The Metropolitan Council considers felony, gross misdemeanor, and misdemeanor convictions on a case-by-case basis, based on whether they are related to the job and whether the candidate has demonstrated adequate rehabilitation.

If you are already an employee of the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a drug test (if moving from a non-safety sensitive position to a safety-sensitive position) and criminal background checks if the job you're applying for is safety-sensitive, is a supervisory or management job, is in the Finance, Information Services or Human Resources departments, or has access to financial records, files/databases, cash, vouchers or transit fare cards.

IMPORTANT: If you make a false statement or withhold information, you may be barred from job consideration. The Metropolitan Council is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and veteran-friendly employer. The Council is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the region and strongly encourages persons of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply.