IS Data Services Specialist

This position is located in the Division of Historic Preservation/Public History at the Wisconsin Historical Society in Madison, Wisconsin. This essential federally funded position allows the State Historic Preservation Office to carry out its responsibilities under State and Federal law. For additional information, please see our website at: http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/hp/

Job Duties:   Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is an electronic information system that integrates hardware, software, and data for the collection, management, analysis, and display of information that has a geographic location associated with it. 

This position works under the limited supervision of the Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer in the Division of Historic Preservation/Public History at the Wisconsin Historical Society. Federal law requires states to maintain inventory of historic properties and map locations, this position performs the job duties of this requirement. This position performs digital training and educational activities for the Historic Preservation Office. This position also manages the geospatial information component of the Wisconsin Historic Preservation Database (WHPD) and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing data input and data verification. This position works with a broad range of public and private partners including customers, historic preservation staff, project consultants, government agencies, and other stakeholders to maintain, develop and implement Geographic Information System (GIS) data and software in a custom application.  For a copy of the position description, click on  GIS Coordinator.

Special Notes:   

A criminal background check will be conducted prior to an offer of employment to determine if the circumstances of any conviction may be related to the job.

Verification of academic degrees will be conducted prior to an offer of employment.

Job Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:   

• Proficiency with Esri ArcGIS products including, ArcGIS Server, ArcGIS Enterprise, ArcPad and other digital web standards.
• Proficient in GIS terminology and concepts.
• Ability to design, implement, and manage web mapping applications.
• Ability to utilize complex data structures with multiple tables and link to geospatial data to generate maps.
• Ability to write dynamic queries in SQL Server Management Studio to search tabular and geospatial data in SQL Server and ArcGIS software.
• Experience with using GPS units, ArcPad software, and integrating GPS data into ArcGIS.
• Basic knowledge of historic preservation principles and practices.
• General knowledge of types of cultural resources data related to archaeological sites, archaeological surveys, historic buildings and properties.
• Understanding of the business of historic preservation including state and federal historic preservation laws and able to identify how GIS technology can address historic preservation business needs.
• Familiarity and expertise with computer applications including word processing, email, spreadsheets, and other applications, including conversions and formatting.
• Experience analyzing many forms of spatial data including but not limited to digital maps, historic maps, USGS topographic maps, city engineering maps, aerial imagery, CAD drawings, and plat maps.
• Ability to use GIS data to produce professional quality and informative maps for Division staff to demonstrate historic preservation concepts to diverse audiences.
• Ability to use locational information found on a map and transpose it accurately onto a map of a different scale or format (e.g., paper to digital).
• Ability to problem-solve to resolve errors in map data.
• Ability to communicate effectively in written English.
• Strong technical writing skills with demonstrated ability to convey complex information in a readable and instructive format.
• Ability to assign, track, coordinate and manage multiple projects.
• Demonstrated interpersonal communication skills and ability to work collaboratively with a team and with customers.
• Able to legally operate a motor vehicle from the Wisconsin Department of Administration State Fleet in the State of Wisconsin. 

A Well Qualified Candidate Will Have: 

• Excellent interpersonal communication skills and strong technical writing skills.
• Ability to utilize complex data structures and link geospatial data to generate maps.
• Extensive experience working with cultural resource data in a GIS application.
• Experience designing, implementing and managing web mapping applications.
• Experience writing dynamic queries in SQL Server Management Studio.
• Knowledge of historic preservation principles and practices.
• Graduate school coursework in GIS and ESRI certifications in database management in Multiple User Geodatabases as well as ArcGIS I and II.
• Esri certification in ArcGIS Enterprise.

How To Apply:   A resume and cover letter are required to apply for this position. Please follow the instructions below. 

To apply online, visit the WiscJobs website. During the application process, you’ll be asked to create a login and submit your application materials online by copying and pasting your responses into appropriate fields. Follow the online application instructions below. 

If you have a WiscJobs account: 
1. Click “Log In to Apply” at the top of the job announcement and log into your account. When you have logged in, find and view job announcement 13-03811 
2. Click “Apply Now” at the top of the job announcement. 
3. Review your Job Application and make any necessary updates and click “Continue.” 
4. Complete the Job Preferences screen and click “Continue.” 
5. A resume is required to apply for this position. Follow the prompts to create a resume or to upload an existing resume and click “Continue.” 
6. A cover letter addressing particular subject areas is required to apply for this position. Please create and paste your cover letter into the space provided. 

Your resume and cover letter will be used to determine your eligibility for this position. 

If you do not have a WiscJobs account: 
1. Click “Log In” at the top of the webpage. 
2. Click the “Create New Account” button and follow the steps to create a new account. 
3. Click “Apply Now” at the top of screen and complete steps 3 – 6 from above. 

Completed materials must be received by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, January 25, 2016.