Position: GIS Technician

Department:  Infrastructure, Planning and Growth                                                        

Location:  7^th and 11^th Floors

Salary Range:  $63,131/yr                                                                        

Description:

GIS technician serves for St. Joseph County, responsible for coordinating the planning, implementation, and maintenance of the Geographic Information System (GIS) throughout County departments and offices, including overseeing/monitoring construction and maintenance of features and attributes.

The technician has a substantial impact on overall County GIS operations and discusses unusual situations with supervisor as needed. Incumbent receives general supervision, with work periodically reviewed for attainment of objectives, and effect on department goals and objectives.

This position reports directly to the Economic Development Director and performs functions on behalf of St. Joseph County.

Essential Functions:

• Attends meetings and makes recommendations and negotiates with various departments regarding GIS use and impact on County computer systems.
• Makes presentations to other organizations/jurisdictions to promote GIS technology and assist in developing GIS as requested.
• Provides GIS services, training, and technical support to departments without GIS expertise, including creating and maintaining features and attributes, thematic mapping, and plotting.
• Installs and upgrades GIS database client and general office productivity software.
• Develops and designs hard copy maps for departments as well as the general public.
• Fills data requests for departments, contractors, as well as the general public.
• Attends job-related conferences and training.
• Performs related duties assigned.
• Maintenance of data layers and related documents.

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in either computer science, geography, mathematics, engineering, or related area.
• Working knowledge of and ability to make practical application of principles, practices, terminology and technology of GIS implementation and maintenance, including, but not limited to, object-oriented and linear programming, relational databases, computer operation, hardware maintenance, and support.
• Working knowledge of an ability to make practical application of geography, cartography, relational databases, and basic functions and relationships of County Departments.
• Ability to properly operate a variety of standard office equipment, including computer, printer, scanner, laminator, and plotter.
• Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling, and punctuation, and ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, other County departments, county municipalities, engineering and mapping firms, utilities, school districts, libraries, and the public, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities and disabilities.
• Ability to work on several tasks at the same time, often under time pressure, and complete assignments effectively amidst frequent distractions and interruptions.
• Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions/directions and appropriately respond to constructive criticism.
• Ability to competently serve the public with diplomacy and respect, including occasional encounters with irate/hostile persons.
• Ability to comply with all employer/department personnel policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct.
• Ability to work alone and with others in a team environment with minimum supervision, and maintain appropriate, respectful interrelationships with co-workers.
• Ability to provide public access to or maintain confidentiality of department information/records according to state requirements.
• Ability to regularly work extended hours, occasionally work weekend and/or evening hours, and occasionally travel out of town for conferences/training, sometimes overnight.

Physical Demands: 

• Incumbent performs duties in a standard office environment, involving sitting for long periods, sitting/walking at will, keyboarding, lifting/carrying objects weighing less than 25 pounds, close vision, color/depth perception, speaking clearly, hearing sounds/communication, and handling/grasping/fingering objects. Incumbent occasionally works extended and/or evening hours. Safety precautions must be followed at all times to avoid injury to self and others.