Forestry GIS Application and Data Specialist

The Wisconsin DNR is hiring an LTE – Forestry GIS Application and Data Specialist located at our central office in Madison, Wisconsin.

This dual LTE appointment is comprised of two 20-hour positions for an expected work schedule of 40 hours per week. The intention is to hire one candidate on both positions. See below for more information on the positions.

Position Summary

Position 1, Forestry GIS Application Specialist:

Under general review, the Forestry GIS Application Specialist works under the guidance of the DNR GIS Infrastructure, Development and Support Leader to develop, maintain and support custom forestry applications for Division of Forestry (FR) operations. The GIS Application Specialist will be responsible for the development and support of forestry GIS applications developed in commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) platforms and support custom GIS applications for multiple DNR divisions. The position will work independently on complex assignments and requires comprehensive knowledge of GIS principles and agency wide practices and policies.

50% – Develop/maintain GIS applications based on commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) platforms (e.g., ArcGIS Online, VertiGIS/Geocortex)
– Determine application technical feasibility to ensure it can meet identified business needs.
– Design, develop and customize COTS applications using GIS data to provide additional functionality based on business requirements.
– Troubleshoot, identify, and resolve production and development application problems.
– Create application specific documentation for various audiences, including IT staff, program representatives, application testers and application users.

30% – Participate on FR IT/GIS application technical teams.
– Work with program representatives to assess the scope and objectives of GIS tools/applications.
– Collaborate on IT/GIS teams with project managers, business analysts, GIS specialists, and GIS developers across multiple DNR divisions.
– Develop, maintain and support forestry web mapping application services and application data.
– Troubleshoot, identify and resolve problems related to GIS applications and forestry GIS services.

20% – Serve as FR AGOL custodian/steward and administer AGOL access
– Monitor division AGOL use (accounts and projects).
– Collaborate with department web team to implement design standards and technical review criteria of AGOL projects for the Division of Forestry.

Position 2, Forestry GIS Data Specialist:

Under general review, the Forestry GIS Data Specialist works under the guidance of the DNR GIS Infrastructure, Development and Support Leader developing and managing GIS vector and raster data to meet needs of 500+ Division of Forestry (FR) employees, as well as support custom applications used by multiple internal division partners, external partners, and the public. The position works independently on assignments including researching needs, creating GIS products, performing complex analyses, and supporting custom applications used by multiple divisions and partners (Wisconsin Field Inventory Reporting System- WisFIRS, Independent Forest Fire Reporting System- IFFRS). The position requires comprehensive knowledge of GIS technologies and concepts, agency practices and policies, as well as strong data management skills.

40% – Conduct complex GIS analyses.
– Research and analyze geospatial data options and provide technical review and analysis.
– Provide GIS expertise on teams.
– Use python programming for automation of tasks.
– Create and organize detailed documentation.

40% – Manage GIS vector and raster data and map services.
– Develop/maintain GIS data and documentation following agency standards and guidelines.
– Develop, maintain and support application services and application data (WisFIRS, IFFRS).
– Create/manage map services used in custom desktop and mobile applications used by staff in multiple divisions, external partners and the public.
– Identify and implement policies and procedures to manage and improve access to select datasets.
– Coordinate data migration into publicly available services.

20% – Participate on FR IT/GIS application technical teams.
– Participate in all phases of application testing for custom applications (WisFIRS, IFFRS) or commercial solutions.
– Collaborate on IT/GIS teams representing multiple internal divisions with project managers, business analysts, and other GIS professionals.
– Troubleshoot, identify and resolve problems.

Qualifications

Required:
– College-level training or professional experience in geography, computer science or related field
– Professional experience using ESRI’s ArcGIS technologies, (ArcGIS 10.x, ArcGIS Pro 2.8.x) including the use of Spatial Database Engine (SDE), shapefile, geodatabase, spatial analyst tools, spatial statistic operations, and other data management tools
– Experience using COTS solutions (minimally ESRI’s AGOL platform) to create and configure spatial tools
– Ability to work independently and in a team of IT and or GIS professionals, perform detail tasks with a high level of accuracy, tracking progress and documenting results
– Experience with relational databases (SDE, Oracle) and querying (SQL)
– Beginning experience in programming (Python or JavaScript, ArcGIS Arcade) and/or custom widget design
– Experience or training in database development, creation, queries, and maintenance

Preferred:
– Experience creating/maintaining enterprise-scale datasets
– Knowledge of cartographic concepts, and the ability to create maps for forestry staff and the general public
– Experience with Toad for Oracle software
– Knowledge of designing maps/applications for mobile environments.
– Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing and facilitate decision making in a team environment.
– Knowledge of customer service concepts and strategies with creative problem-solving skills.