GIS Coordinator

SALARY
$75,976.16 – $112,472.46 Annually
LOCATION
50010, IA
JOB TYPE
Full-Time
JOB NUMBER
23-1125-01
DEPARTMENT
Public Works
DIVISION
Public Works Engineering
OPENING DATE
08/28/2023
CLOSING DATE
9/25/2023 12:00 PM Central
FLSA
Exempt
BARGAINING UNIT
MERIT
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT?
No

Centrally located in the heart of Iowa, Ames is a vibrant, progressive community with more than 66,000 residents providing an excellent quality of life. Home to Iowa State University, Ames offers year-round recreation opportunities, diverse cultural offerings, a stable economy, safe neighborhoods, and a high-achieving school district.

General Information
The City of Ames is conducting a recruitment to establish a Civil Service eligibility list for this classification. The list will be valid for up to one year from the date of certification by the Ames Civil Service Commission and may be used to fill one or more vacancies in this classification. In addition, City of Ames Civil Service employees who have previously held Civil Service status in this classification and are interested in voluntarily demoting or laterally transferring into the current vacancy must submit their application by the deadline.

Under the general direction of the Public Works Municipal Engineer, functions as coordinator for the City’s interdepartmental Geographic Information System (GIS) while working independently using professional judgment and initiative. Oversees, develops, and maintains the delivery of citywide geospatial services, data and technology to City Departments and the public. Coordinates GIS activities between City Departments, regional GIS participants, other public agencies, contractors, consultants, and resident groups. Supervises Public Works GIS personnel; performs related work as required.

In order to be considered for this position, all applicants must submit their online application by the deadline listed on this posting. Your application includes complete responses to the supplemental questions. Please keep in mind that submission of a resume in lieu of work history on your application or answering the supplemental questions is not sufficient.

Compensation Philosophy:
The City of Ames has a compensation philosophy that the starting pay for our merit salary ranges establishes the salary for employees who meet minimum requirements of a position. The median of any merit salary range is for an employee who can reasonably meet all expectations of the position responsibilities without initial extensive training. In order for employees to have an opportunity to grow within their position, we may consider a candidate’s education, experience, and skills above the minimum requirements when looking at a salary closer to or slightly above the median. The median for this position is $94,224 annualized.
Examples of Essential Job Functions
Leadership and Supervisory:

Demonstrates exemplary leadership as supervises Public Works GIS personnel including recruiting, inspiring, mentoring, coaching, assigning projects, analyzing solutions, conducting performance evaluations, identifying professional development opportunities and disciplinary action as necessary.
Conducts self through high standards of professionalism and effective communication in representing City of Ames.
Effectively manages multiple projects and develops project reports, plans and schedules.
Administers and manages geospatial technologies and data sharing, GIS application development, report and map generation, and selection of GIS software, hardware, or services among City departments.
Assists with budget preparation, management, and amendments.
Actively participates in City of Ames Incident Command Center trainings and operations throughout emergency incident as part of Planning Section as outlined in City of Ames Disaster Response Plan, including setting up and operating needed GIS software/hardware and mapping to support the incident.

Technical:
Keeps up to date with latest and upcoming GIS and integrated technologies, analyzes new technical products, systems, and plans for adapting the City GIS infrastructure to meet future business needs.
Leads the interdepartmental GIS Committee and is a member of the citywide Incident Command, City Website team, City Public Relations team, City Onboarding team, and Story County Addressing Committee.
Oversees and performs server maintenance and monitors user access to data.
Collaborates with Public Works Engineers on pavement management system using dTIMS™ and incorporating into GIS maps.
Coordinates with Public Works staff with MicroStation, water system model (WaterGEMS), and sanitary sewer system model (SewerGEMS)

Customer Service, Collaboration, and Coordination:
Responds to customers regarding GIS data, City records and mapping related inquiries.
Skill in responding to and resolving customer concerns and requests for service.
Works with Information Technology team to ensure continuity with existing software, hardware, databases, and information systems.
Oversees development of metadata for all relevant GIS layers and programming changes.
Coordinates GIS related solutions and products with all City departments.
Ensure Public Works GIS infrastructure is kept up to date including water system, sanitary sewer, stormwater and sewer systems, streets including pavement management system, and traffic networks.
Prepares graphical and non-graphical information for staff reports and presentations; delivers oral presentations as requested.
Confers and coordinates with outside agencies to exchange and utilize GIS-related information.
Represents City interests as a voting member of the Mapping and Policy Support (MAPS) Technical Advisory Committee.
Provides GIS training, software/data support and guidance for City GIS users.
Develops, implements, and updates the GIS strategic plan through coordination with all City departments.

Each employee is expected to continually strive to bring shared values to life through our Excellence Through People organizational culture. ETP values include: committing to continuous improvement; inspiring creativity and innovation; being customer driven; making data-driven decisions; committing to diversity, equity and inclusion; championing employee involvement; striving for excellence; having fiscal stewardship; acting with honesty and integrity; exhibiting leadership; choosing a positive attitude; respecting one another; promoting safety and wellness; and cultivating teamwork. For leaders, this includes creating a work culture that brings these values to life. For all employees, this includes maintaining a Total City Perspective. The purpose of ETP is to deliver exceptional services to the public at the best price, and for employees to experience an enjoyable and stimulating work environment.

Other Job Functions: Responsible for updating the departmental web pages with GIS-related information.
Qualifications
Education and Experience:

A Bachelor’s degree in Geographic Information Sciences, geography, computer science, engineering or a related field with GIS emphasis and at least three years of related experience with professional knowledge of engineering principles preferred.
Any equivalent combination of education, experience and training which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the work will also be considered.

Licenses and Certification:
Valid Iowa drivers license within one month of appointment.
GIS Professional (GISP) Certification or ESRI Technical Certification (Associate level or higher) preferred.
Completion of Incident Command System (ICS) 100, 200, 300, and 400 within 1 year of hire date.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Comprehensive knowledge of GIS and Enterprise geodatabase concepts, design, and management.
Comprehensive knowledge of ESRI ArcGIS product suite.
Knowledge of GIS data collection methods and technologies including methods of surveying and understanding of high accuracy GPS systems.
Knowledge of modern supervisory principles and the ability to apply principles of motivation, leadership, and progressive discipline.
Knowledge of GIS data models such as water, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, addressing, and transportation networks.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office 365.
Skill in programming for customizing GIS and related resources including Visual Basic, SQL, Python, Arcade, and MS Power Automate.
Skill in analyzing, manipulating, and interpreting data to reach logical conclusions.
Ability and willingness to quickly learn and utilize new skills and knowledge. brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology.
Ability to schedule, mentor, and supervise employees.
Ability to troubleshoot complex technical problems.
Ability to learn and apply techniques associated with development and administration of GIS systems.
Ability to learn basic skills of operating MicroStation

Supplemental Information
Required Physical Activities:  Talking, hearing, repetitive motions, finger dexterity, reaching, standing, walking, and grasping.
Physical Characteristics of Work: Primarily sedentary work requiring a negligible amount of force to lift or move objects.
Vision Requirements:  The minimum for use with those whose work deals largely with preparing and analyzing data and figures; and the use of a computer terminal.
Environmental Conditions: The worker is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions such as in typical office or administrative work.

Equipment Used to Perform Essential Functions: A wide variety of computer hardware such as computer; keyboard; dual screen monitor; mouse; printer; server; scanners; and plotter. Computer software including geographical information system programming; Microsoft Office 365; and graphics system. Technical equipment such as Global Position Systems (GPS) and drones. Printed materials such as maps; drawings; plans; reports and correspondence. General office equipment such as telephone; copy machine; microfilm reader, scanner, printer; projector; calculator.
Selection Process:
The selection process consists of an evaluation of education and experience; phone interview; on-site interview, which will include a manager meeting and written exercise; and completion of reference checks and a criminal background check, which includes a sex offender registry check. All candidates will be notified by email of their application status. **Preference may be given to applicants possessing qualifications above the minimum.**
Depending on the number of qualified candidates, the City may forego phone interviews.

E-Verify Process:
The City of Ames participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each applicant’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. All candidates who are offered a position with the City of Ames must complete Section 1 of Form I-9 along with the required proof of their right to work in the United States and proof of their identity on their first day of employment. Please be prepared to provide required documents on your first day of employment. For additional information regarding acceptable documents for this purpose, please contact Human Resources at 515-239-5199 or go to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services web page at: http://www.uscis.gov.
NOTE: Applicants with disabilities may submit requests for ADA testing or interview accommodations to the Human Resources Department prior to the test or interview.
The City of Ames is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, ancestry, national origin, marital status, disability, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against. Inquiries can be directed to the Human Resources Department at 515-239-5199.
Veteran’s Preference Points
The City of Ames provides Veteran’s Preference Points for Civil Service positions. A copy of your DD214 and, if applicable, proof of disability, must be attached with your application (or faxed to 515-239-5297) prior to the close date of the posting in order to receive Veteran’s Preference Points.

Agency
City of Ames
Address
515 Clark Ave

Ames, Iowa, 50010
Phone
515-239-5199

Website
http://www.cityofames.org/jobs
GIS Coordinator Supplemental Questionnaire
*QUESTION 1
Please summarize your education and experience as they relate to this position.

*QUESTION 2
Please summarize your experience working in a team environment.

*QUESTION 3
Give us an example of a time your job required you to provide customer service.

*QUESTION 4
Tell us about a time you were able to demonstrate your leadership abilities.

* Required Question