GIS Specialist

The GIS Specialist performs skilled technical and professional work in the design, development, and maintenance of the County’s Geographic Information System (GIS), its operations and users. This position assists with developing and maintaining GIS databases; cadastral mapping, preparing maps and GIS documents; provides support and training to users.

Essential Functions

• Creates, updates, and maintains spatial and attribute databases and also develops links to associated county data for availability in the Eau Claire County GIS/LIS environment and on the internet using standardized procedures
• Maintains county tax parcel mapping. Interprets orthophotography, subdivision plats, land records, legal descriptions, reviews and performs COGO (Coordinate Geometry) calculations; analyzes survey data, source maps, and other records.
• Creates frequently used base maps such as: zoning maps, general plan maps, site plan maps and other maps for sale to the general public and available to County Departments; develops maps in accordance with technical guidelines and client needs, analyzing circumstances to select the appropriate procedure.
• Assists County staff at a technical level to define system requirements, resolve application issues, and implement technical solutions to complex GIS problems ensuring system integration with other county computer systems
• Provides information regarding open records requests to landowners, realtors, surveyors, assessors, local officials, and the general public.
• Assists in installing and testing new GIS software; assists in resolving and troubleshooting GIS related problems and requests; maintains computer hardware and accessories; provides computer software and hardware support for the departmental staff.
• Assists in major GIS projects and data development; Compiles geographic data from a variety of sources including existing databases, field observation, orthophotography, and existing maps
• Performs data conversion and integration, geographic data entry, data interpretation of legal land descriptions and Public Land Survey System (PLSS) data into cartographic representations
• Provides user training, direction and oversight on new system functionality or system upgrade changes
• Assists Emergency Management in the event of an emergency by creating maps, reports and conducting field investigations
• Works with other county departments to meet their GIS needs and provides technical assistance and guidance to GIS users countywide
• Assists with the research, evaluation, and deployment of Global Positioning System (GPS) hardware and software upgrades and new information technologies
• Assists in updates to and maintains the Planning and Development Departments website
• Attends training, seminars, workshops, conferences and meetings

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Geography, GIS, Computer Sciences or a closely related field
• Two (2) years of paid-full time work experience with ESRI ArcGIS Software, planning, surveying, land records, computer information systems or cartography