GIS Specialist I/II

The City of West Sacramento is seeking a skilled and motivated GIS Specialist I/II (official title: Information Technology Specialist I/II) to support the Community Development Department (CDD) with a focus on Geographic Information Systems (GIS). This position plays a vital role in managing spatial data to support planning, infrastructure, development review, sustainability, transportation, mobility, emergency services, and overall city operations. 

This position will contribute to the development and maintenance of interactive GIS mapping applications for both internal and public-facing use, providing real-time updates on active development projects across the City. In addition, the IT Specialist will work closely with internal departments and external agencies to support address-related coordination, problem resolution, and system integration. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Create and maintain GIS maps, dashboards, and visualizations to support and expand Community Development and other City departments’ GIS analytics capabilities.
• Develop, implement, and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and documentation related to addressing and GIS workflows.
• Maintain and update spatial data in support of land use planning, development review, emergency response, and public safety.
• Collaborate with internal departments (e.g., Planning, Building, Fire, Police) and external agencies to resolve addressing and GIS data conflicts or discrepancies.
• Provide high-quality customer service to developers, residents, and city staff regarding addressing and GIS support.
• Support GIS projects and initiatives citywide, working closely with the broader GIS and IT teams. 
• Assisting with the GIS upgrade by testing integrations with Accela and CDD-specific applications and dashboards.
• Assign, validate, and manage addresses and street names in accordance with City standards and applicable regulations. 
• Work cross-functionally with GIS analysts, engineers, and planners to expand Community Development’s GIS analytics capabilities (including ArcGIS Dashboards and StoryMaps)
• Assign and validate addresses using GIS tools (ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Enterprise)
• Maintain and update GIS datasets, including address points and street centerlines
• Perform data validation and quality assurance across systems such as Accela, GIS, and other enterprise databases
• Apply and uphold municipal addressing policies for parcels, buildings, and units in compliance with City standards and the California Subdivision Map Act
• Assist in managing city-wide addressing
• Collaborate with Public Works, Development Engineering, and Capital Projects teams to align GIS data with field and engineering records
• Support the integration of GIS/addressing data and ensure a unified and authoritative source for addresses and street name data
• Coordinate with internal departments and external agencies (e.g., emergency services, utilities, USPS) to ensure accurate and usable data
• Provide customer service and technical support to developers, residents, and project partners
• Communicate technical GIS concepts effectively to non-technical audiences
• Maintain and update City SOPs, policies, and technical documentation
• Contribute to the development and revision of the City of West Sacramento Addressing Guidelines
• Align policies with engineering standards, GIS best practices, and emergency response needs
  

The ideal candidate is an experienced, proactive GIS professional who thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced environment. You bring strong technical skills, attention to detail, and a passion for using data to drive smart, sustainable growth. You are confident working with desktop and enterprise GIS tools, and you can explain technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences. You take initiative, solve problems independently, and make positive contributions to team efforts. Whether responding to a data request or reviewing a proposed address, you take pride in delivering accurate, timely work. And when it comes to collaboration, you know how to work with others to get things done and keep things moving forward. 

Preference will be given to candidates who can demonstrate possession of the following:

• Four or more years of professional GIS experience
• Experience working with GIS for Planning or Community Development
• Proven expertise in municipal addressing and GIS data editing
• Experience with database systems (e.g., SQL Server) and spatial QA/QC workflows
• GIS certifications (e.g., GISP, Esri Technical Certifications) are a plus
• Exceptional communication, collaboration, and problem-solving abilities
• Have strong problem-solving abilities and an analytical mindset for interpreting data and developing GIS solutions from a Community Development perspective 
• Experienced in municipal addressing, spatial data management, and GIS best practices.
• Skilled in desktop GIS tools (e.g., ArcGIS Pro) and familiar with enterprise GIS platforms (e.g., ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Enterprise).
• Comfortable interpreting site plans, recorded maps, and development documents.
• Strong communicator with the ability to convey technical information clearly.
• A big-picture thinker who understands the connections between GIS, IT systems, and public-facing services.
• Ethical, professional, and committed to public service.
• A collaborative problem-solver who can anticipate issues and implement solutions efficiently.
• Ability to analyze data to identify patterns, solve problems, and support decision-making in areas like urban planning, environmental management, or community development.
• Demonstrated experience in municipal addressing, GIS data editing, and spatial data quality control
• Strong technical proficiency with GIS platforms (ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Enterprise) and database systems (e.g., Microsoft SQL Server)
• Familiarity with site plans, subdivision layouts, engineering drawings, and recorded maps
• Excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills 
• The ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, collaborative environment 
• Candidates should be able to communicate complex technical concepts to diverse stakeholders, work effectively in cross-departmental teams, and demonstrate a commitment to ongoing professional development, particularly in emerging GIS technologies. 

Reporting to the Information Technology Business Services Manager, the IT Specialist is part of a talented, multidisciplinary team of over 15 full-time employees. The IT Division includes Technical Services, Data & Development Services, Client Services, GIS, Operations, and Enterprise Application Services. This role uniquely leads GIS and addresses efforts for the City and community.

DEFINITION:  The Information Technology Specialist I/II performs a variety of professional level work in designing, installing, managing, updating, integrating and securing Information Technology systems; provides professional level analysis and guidance to help solve business problems; operates computer equipment as required; and provides functional and technical assistance to City personnel.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:  Receives general supervision from the Information Technology Manager and/or designee.  The Information Technology Specialist II may provide technical and/or functional supervision over support staff as-needed.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS:  The Information Technology Specialist II is considered the journey level position within the Information Technology Specialist I/II series.  The Information Technology Specialist I is distinguished from the Information Technology Specialist II by the performance of the more routine and less complex assignments and the greater level of supervision provided by the Information Technology Manager and/or designee.  A Information Technology Specialist II performs the full range of technical and professional functions necessary to accomplish the tasks and duties assigned with minimal direction or assistance.EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: (Illustrative Only): Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

GIS

• Coordinate GIS functions and uses with other departments, other agencies/jurisdictions, engineers, developers, and the general public.
• Provides technical support to departments, agencies, and the public regarding GIS and identifies and resolves GIS related concerns.
• Ensures development and maintenance of the city base map and associated layers.
• Design and/or modify GIS programming, as necessary, to accommodate the needs of end users.
• Verifies the accuracy of digitized data to ensure compliance and quality of automated information.
• Assists with the development, operation, and maintenance of the city’s geographic information system and strategic plan.
• Develop and maintain policy and procedures relating to GIS operations and services; provide related training to a variety of GIS users.
• Monitor GIS system performance against established standards; detects and troubleshoots problems; 
• Design and develops databases related to GIS mapping functions and layers.
• Read and interpret civil plans/specifications for extraction of data to GIS systems
• Use GIS to analyze data for engineering/planning purposes.
• Prepare maps, line drawings, color graphics, charts, graphs, architectural renderings and other documents or materials for use in brochures, reports and presentations to the City Council, boards and commissions, and other departments.
• Prepare, code, and digitize maps and geographic feature data into the GIS database following established procedures and sequences to update layers within the system.
• Participate, as assigned, in City committees and groups to provide input to GIS planning and implementation strategies and work plans.
• Provide project management; develop project plans and detailed project objectives; develop and guide project timelines; assess and manage risks; manage issues. 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:  Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge and skill.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and skill would be:

Education: Information Technology Specialist I/II: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Computer Science, Management Information Systems or closely related field.

Experience: Information Technology Specialist I: Two (2) years of progressively responsible professional experience in computer technology. Information Technology Specialist II: Four (4) years of progressively responsible professional experience in computer technology. Related experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for up to sixty (60) units of the education requirement.  (Thirty (30) semester units are equivalent to one (1) year of experience.)

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES: If required to drive, possession and maintenance of a valid California driver’s license. For positions where ability to drive is not an essential function, the employee must be able to arrange reliable and timely transportation through private or public transportation for attendance at work, off-site meetings, events, and trainings. Cisco and/or Microsoft^® certifications preferred, but not required.PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Mobility to work in a standard office environment, use standard office equipment and attend off-site meetings. On an intermittent basis, sit at a desk for long periods of time; intermittently walk, stand, bend, squat, twist, and reach while performing office duties. Manual dexterity to use standard office equipment and supplies and small tools and to manipulate both single sheets of paper and large document holders (manuals, binders, etc.); vision to read handwritten and printed material and a computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate in person and by telephone; ability to lift and carry items weighing up to 25 pounds such as files, manuals, or small tools and equipment for distances up to 50 feet.

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS: Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.  Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing department guidelines, policies and procedures.