Job Details

GIS TECHNICIAN

Salary: Range 34 ($6,115 – 7,434/month DOQ) 

Employment Status: Regular, Exempt, Full-Time position

Benefit Package: Regular, Full-Time Employee Benefits

Remote Work: Hybrid; Half of Scheduled Work Time in the Office

Schedule: 4 x 10s or 5 x 8s with Flexible Schedule Options

Reports to: Technology Supervisor

To Apply: Visit https://www.epud.org/about-us/careers/ to complete the online application and submit the following documents: 

1. Resume 
2. Veterans` Preference Form, if applicable

Culture and Environment:

Emerald PUD is looking to add a knowledgeable, experienced, and motivated GIS Technician to join our team. This position will be responsible for maintaining and enhancing Emerald`s Geographic Information System (GIS) utilizing the National Information Solutions Cooperative (NISC) platform. The ideal candidate will be a quick learner, and promptly begin supporting our staff by providing technical guidance for Emerald`s mapping products.

We offer a robust and competitive benefit package, including exceptional medical coverage. In addition, Emerald covers the cost of the monthly medical premiums for employees and their dependents.

At Emerald PUD, we take great pride in delivering an essential service to our customers, with safety and reliability as our top priorities. As employees, we share a set of core values, which reflect the fundamental reasons we all choose to work here.

Core Values:

Service

• We`re motivated to serve others.
• We care about the local community.
• We improve the lives of those around us.

Flexibility

• We're willing to step into other roles.
• We adapt quickly.
• We`re responsive to the needs of others.

Empowerment

• We`re trusted to do what`s right.
• We take responsibility for our actions.
• We learn from our mistakes.

Reliability

• We do what we say we`re going to do.
• We`re always willing to pitch in.
• We`re there when others need us.

Safety

• We never forget the risk in our industry.
• We watch out for each other.
• We speak up.

Job Summary:

The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Technician plays a key role in Emerald`s long-term strategic plan. This position provides direct support to the end users of Emerald`s mapping and GIS systems, including web, mobile, and desktop applications. The GIS Technician updates system maps and related databases, analyzes spatial data to improve data quality, digitizes new construction maps, and participates in project work as a collaborative team member. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

Amount of time working in each function may vary. It is expected that the amount of time spent performing each function will fluctuate as needed for an employee to successfully manage their schedule.

1. Geographic Information Systems Operations Support – Leverage National Information Solutions Cooperative (NISC) enterprise software suite encompassing GIS, mapping, and staking functions to support Operations Department processes, asset management, and electrical system data improvements. Support field staff and other end users to preserve utility infrastructure data accuracy, consistency, and integrity using GIS applications and tools. Perform data cleaning, validation, and quality control processes. Maintain existing GIS applications, maps, surveys and reports to further EPUD business needs. Facilitate field staff data collection and verification activities. Assist and train end users of GIS in Emerald`s mapping products. Support mapping-related software and hardware, including a large format plotter.  
2. Technical Guidance- Act as one of Emerald`s resident Subject Matter Experts (SME) for GIS-related technologies. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of GIS technology and functionality. Participate in professional groups. Stay informed of new trends and innovations in the field of GIS and related systems. Work with IT and IS staff on strategic technology solutions that will address existing issues, meet business needs and/or support the long-term strategic plan. 
3. Communication and Collaboration- Focus on developing strong working relationships with colleagues to foster trust and cooperation. Collaborate with end users and stakeholders to identify opportunities and increase efficiencies. Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing to convey ideas, views, and project status updates. Provide exceptional service to both internal and external customers to help build Emerald`s brand as a trusted advisor and provider of choice.
4. Work Management- Takes direction from Technology Supervisor and GIS Administrator to identify and prioritize GIS tasks. Embrace the culture of empowerment by using sound judgment, thoroughly reviewing and analyzing problems, making reasonable recommendations, and developing alternate solutions when necessary. Work independently and take ownership of assignments, following through to ensure projects and tasks are completed on time and in a thorough manner.  
5. Perform other duties as assigned related to the job.

Job Skills

1. Ability to work in cross-functional teams in a cooperative and supportive manner. This position is a customer-oriented role focused on supporting utility employees and other stakeholders with their GIS needs. 
2. Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills. 
3. Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
4. Ability to work independently with minimum supervision and to manage time efficiently. 
5. Ability to use sound judgment when faced with problems.
6. Willing and able to learn new concepts and adopt alternative techniques within the rapidly changing utility industry.

Experience:

1. Must have at least 2 years of GIS experience. 
2. Must have at least 2 years of experience with ArcGIS Pro or ArcMap. 
3. Knowledge of geospatial data standards and best practices is required. 
4. Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite is required.  
5. Experience in an electric utility-related setting is strongly preferred. 
6. At least one year of experience using ArcGIS Online, or ArcGIS Enterprise, or mobile applications is preferred. 
7. Experience maintaining maps and reports to support utility staff is preferred. 
8. Experience with network modeling is preferred. 
9. NISC Mapping and Staking experience is preferred. 

Education:

1. Associate's degree in GIS or Geography is preferred, though experience in a GIS Technician role may be accepted in place of the degree.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands:

1. Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer. 
2. Use of office equipment where some agility and hand-eye coordination are needed. 
3. Work environment can include shared workspaces and exposure to consistent or frequent noise from employee conversations.

Note: This description is intended to represent the key areas of responsibility. It is not meant to be all inclusive and does not prescribe or restrict the work that may be assigned. Nothing in this description restricts EPUD`s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to the job at any time. Job descriptions may occasionally be updated, as necessary, to reflect evolving business needs.

Ongoing or Recurring Tasks and Projects

The following is a list of ongoing or recurring tasks and projects to help demonstrate what a normal workday might look like and what the overall workload might include. 

Daily:  

• Ensure attribute and data accuracy, consistency, and integrity. 
• Provide desktop, mobile, and user support. 
• Digitize new construction As-builts. 
• Complete ad hoc map corrections & updates. 
• Collect, organize, and maintain GIS data from various sources. 

Weekly: 

• Update reports to assess data quality. 
• Perform data cleansing, validation, and quality control processes. 
• Ongoing project data clean up. 
• Assist with field data collection and verification activities. 

Monthly: 

• Update/upgrade existing maps, apps and reports. 
• GIS training. 
• Data collection enhancements. 

Yearly: 

• Run early reports and visualizations of data  
• Conduct spatial analyses to support project planning, asset management, and operational efficiency. 
• Identify new opportunities and potential issues to improve Utility with GIS