GIS Planner

Position Description: The GIS Planner provides maps and conducts spatial analysis to support our environmental, infrastructure, and economic development planning projects. They develop and analyze data trends to inform resiliency planning to prepare communities for the challenges and opportunities of the next 10-20 years. GIS work varies between visionary scenario mapping and technical mapping of municipal infrastructure. The GIS Planner will support colleagues and also have self-directed projects that require independence, critical thinking, creativity, and project management. Examples of these projects include:

• Maintenance of online municipal GIS sites such as cemetery maps and public works infrastructure maps
• Creation and maintenance of SWWRPC strategic mapping initiatives such as our constructability map, school data dashboard, and housing story map
• Development of maps for comprehensive planning projects

The GIS Planner will also be given leadership and outreach opportunities to develop new projects with our communities. This work will include engagement with public works staff, presentations to communities on the benefits of GIS, and engagement with staff to ensure current maps are maintained.

A Day in the Life: Solve problems. Serve rural communities. Work with fun, talented, thoughtful people. Our work is rewarding, fun, and challenging. In your first year, you’ll work with our GIS Coordinator to maintain existing GIS platforms and also support other planning staff on their projects. You’ll develop our school data dashboard and story map that will be a powerful tool in supporting local school districts as they make strategic decisions. Lastly, you’ll engage the region’s economic development professionals to create an interactive, online GIS platform of all vacant industrial land in the region. Future work includes mapping demographic projections, working to regionalize local infrastructure mapping efforts, and supporting public engagement on other planning projects.

About Us: We have been providing southwestern Wisconsin with community and economic development services for 55 years. We advocate for necessary and positive change grounded in a history of agriculture, food production, manufacturing, small businesses development, and abundant natural resources. Our staff are interdisciplinary and service driven. You can read our Strategic Plan here: https://www.swwrpc.org/about-us.

Location: The GIS Planner will begin working at our Platteville office and may adopt a hybrid work schedule once acclimated to their duties. A hybrid remote/in-office schedule is available once regularly-scheduled deadlines and tasks are fully understood.

Requirements:

• Competency in GIS mapping and spatial analysis using ESRI software
• Experience with managing data sets and understanding of ESRI online credits system is preferred but not required
• Knowledge and experience in the use of GPS equipment for data collection and field verification is preferred
• Competency with Microsoft Office suite
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Able to work independently and in a team, and manage project deadlines
• Understanding of, or interest in, rural issues such as economic development, depopulation, aging, natural resource management, and climate change
• Willing to work as a team and support colleagues during public events

Education or Experience:

• A Bachelor’s Degree and demonstrated experience in geography, engineering, natural resources, environmental science, urban and regional planning, or a similar field is required. A Certificate in GIS is preferred; a portfolio or demonstration of GIS work will be requested at the second interview.

Estimated use of time:

• Maintenance on SWWRPC GIS online projects, including data analysis required for the maps – 30%
• GIS Support for other SWWRPC projects (plans, studies, etc.)– 30%
• New project development (municipal infrastructure mapping, etc.) –15%
• Public engagement and data analysis – 15%
• Other duties (staff meetings, team outings, etc.) – 10%

Compensation and Benefits:

• Position type: Full-time permanent. FLSA exempt
• Salary range: $60,000-$68,000
• Health insurance: SWWRPC pays 88% of premiums (approximately $13,000 for a single plan and $33,000 for a family plan).
• Other benefits: Dental and Group Life Insurance, Income Continuation Insurance, Flex Spending, participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System.
• 40 days of annual paid time off, including holidays (12 days), vacation (15 days), and sick leave (13 days)
• Paid family leave for those who qualify
• Hybrid remote/in-person work possible after 3-months
• Generous professional development opportunities, including state GIS conferences and attendance at the ESRI User’s Conference in 2026.

To apply, submit a resume to jobs@swwrpc.org.

Applications are due by 5:00 PM on Friday, September 19, 2025 and first round interviews will begin the week of September 22. Applications will be accepted until a candidate is found.

SWWRPC is fully committed to attracting, retaining, developing and promoting the most qualified employees without regard to their race, gender, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, citizenship status, veteran status, or any other characteristic. We are dedicated to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment and where employees are treated with respect and dignity.