GIS and Open Data Supervisor (IS Data Supervisor) (Open and Promotional)

The San Mateo County Information Services Department is seeking a well-qualified individual for the position of GIS and Open Data Supervisor (IS Data Supervisor) to join the GIS and Open Data Program team. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership abilities and experience in effectively supervising teams. They should possess a comprehensive understanding of geospatial technologies and open data initiatives. The Supervisor will be responsible for managing the GIS and Open Data Program, overseeing day-to-day operations, and ensuring the timely delivery of geospatial services and successful implementation of open data initiatives. They will also manage the development and maintenance of the County's GIS infrastructure, ensuring optimal performance and data integrity. In addition, they will also oversee the planning, implementation, and management of GIS projects, supporting County departments and stakeholders in their decision-making processes.
 
Under general supervision from an assigned higher-level manager, the GIS and Open Data Supervisor holds a full supervisory-level position and demonstrates independent judgment in diverse, specialized information services functions. They have significant accountability and ongoing decision-making responsibilities associated with the work. The Supervisor organizes and oversees day-to-day activities, projects, and programs for a major section within the division. They provide professional-level support to the management team and supervise staff primarily assigned to enhancing the County's GIS capabilities and promote data-driven decision-making processes.
 
The ideal candidate for the position will possess:

• Demonstrated ability to supervise and manage a GIS and Open Data Program, overseeing day-to-day operations and ensuring the timely delivery of high-quality geospatial services and open data initiatives.
• Ability to effectively manage the development and maintenance of GIS infrastructure, including spatial databases, servers, and related software, ensuring optimal performance and data integrity.
• Proven experience in planning, implementing, and managing GIS projects, including data acquisition, analysis, and mapping, to support decision-making processes.
• Ability to develop and implement GIS data standards and policies, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and compliance with relevant industry standards and best practices.
• Strong collaboration skills, with the ability to work with County departments and external agencies, identify GIS needs, and provide expert guidance on the effective use of geospatial technologies and tools.
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities, including managing and mentoring a team of GIS analysts and technicians, providing guidance, training, and performance evaluations to foster a highly skilled and motivated workforce.
• Ability to conduct research and stay up-to-date with emerging GIS technologies and trends, recommending innovative solutions to enhance GIS capabilities and support strategic objectives.
• Proficiency in GIS project management, including preparing and evaluating Requests for Proposals (RFPs), scoping GIS projects, and defining project deliverables and timelines. 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to perform complex spatial analysis, troubleshoot issues, and identify solutions to address GIS challenges.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, enabling effective collaboration with stakeholders, presenting GIS concepts to non-technical audiences, and building strong working relationships.
• Proficiency in database management and SQL queries, with the ability to design and optimize spatial databases and perform data extraction and manipulation tasks.
• Experience with web mapping technologies and platforms, such as ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Portal ArcGIS Server, VertiGIS, and MapBox to create and publish interactive web maps and applications.
• Knowledge of data visualization principles and experience using visualization tools, such as ArcGIS Dashboards, ArcGIS Experience Builder Tableau or Power BI, to present geospatial data in a clear and compelling manner.
• Familiarity with open data principles, including data publishing, data formats, licensing, and data governance, to support the implementation and management of open data initiatives.
• Project management skills, including the ability to define project goals, develop work plans, allocate resources, and track project progress to ensure successful completion within established timelines and budgets.

• Attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy and quality control, with the ability to perform data validation, data cleaning, and other quality-assurance activities.
• Knowledge of geospatial and open-data standards, data governance, interoperability, accessibility, and appropriate data-sharing practices; familiarity with FGDC, ISO, OGC, or comparable standards is desirable.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Conducts the supervision and management of the GIS and Open Data Program, overseeing the day-to-day operations and ensuring the timely delivery of high-quality geospatial services and open data initiatives.
• Manages the development and maintenance of the County's GIS infrastructure, including spatial databases, servers, and related software, ensuring optimal performance and data integrity.
• Oversees the planning, implementation, and management of GIS projects, including data acquisition, analysis, and mapping, to support County departments and stakeholders in their decision-making processes.
• Develops and implements GIS data standards and policies, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and compliance with relevant industry standards and best practices.
• Collaborates with County departments and external agencies to identify GIS needs, requirements, and opportunities, and provides expert guidance on the effective use of geospatial technologies and tools.
• Manages and mentors a team of GIS analysts and technicians, providing guidance, training, and performance evaluations to foster a highly skilled and motivated workforce.
• Conducts research and evaluates emerging GIS technologies and trends, recommending innovative solutions to enhance the County's GIS capabilities and support strategic objectives.
• Coordinates and participates in the development and implementation of open data initiatives, working with departments to identify and publish datasets, ensuring data quality, accessibility, and compliance with data sharing policies.
• Manages GIS project management activities, including the preparation and evaluation of Requests for Proposals (RFPs), scoping GIS projects, and defining project deliverables and timelines.
• Collaborates with IT and other relevant stakeholders to integrate GIS technologies with other systems and platforms, facilitating data sharing, interoperability, and the development of comprehensive information solutions.
• Represents the County in meetings, conferences, and professional organizations, sharing expertise, promoting GIS initiatives, and staying informed about industry developments and best practices.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
 
Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in management information systems, computer science, or a related field and five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in database management, including two (2) years of lead, supervisory, or project management responsibility and specific to the specialty area assigned which includes logical and physical database administration; integration; business intelligence, analytics, and report scripting; and/or data quality and integrity. Additional related experience may substitute for education requirement on a year-for-year basis, up to four (4) years.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Some positions may require possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver's License.
• Some positions may require possession of information technology industry recognized certifications.
• Some positions may require ability to pass security background check.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, coaching, mentoring and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Basic principles and practices of budget development, administration, and accountability.
• Operations, services, and activities of assigned information services program.
• Advanced data management theory, principles, and practices and their application to a wide variety of services and programs.
• Various software packages including word processing, spreadsheet, SQL database and database management, and reporting tools.
• Advanced principles and practices of designing, configuring, and implementing system backup solutions.
• Principles and practices for identifying database infrastructure-related issues and actions needed to improve or correct performance.
• Methods and techniques of evaluating business requirements and developing information technology solutions for strategic County database infrastructure.
• The organization, operation, and functions of the department as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities and to determine appropriate point of escalation.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
• Modern office practices, methods, computer equipment and applications related to the work.
• English usage, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with vendors and County staff.

Skill/Ability to:

• Plan, organize, schedule, assign, review, and evaluate the work of and train staff.
• Recommend and implement goals, objectives, and practices for providing effective and efficient services.
• Identify and coordinate areas where business process redesign can favorably impact operations.
• Evaluate and recommend improvements in operations, procedures, policies, or methods.
• Analyze department procedures and data to develop logical solutions to complex database problems.
• Recommend, evaluate, design, test, and install database and supporting applications.
• Provide advanced-level technical support in the design, installation, management, configuration, maintenance, and repair of County information technology database infrastructure.
• Deal tactfully with the customers and staff in providing information, answering questions, and providing customer service.
• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws, rules, and regulations.
• Effectively represent the department and the County in meetings with contractors and vendors.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Physical Demands
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. Standing in and walking between work areas is frequently required.  Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification frequently bend, stoop, kneel, and reach to perform assigned duties, as well as push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds with the use of proper equipment.
 
Environmental Elements
Employees work in an office environment with moderate levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.  Employees may interact with upset staff when providing database support services.  Open and Promotional. Anyone may apply. Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, Confidential and Management extra-help/limited term, and SEIU or AFSCME represented extra help/limited term positions prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score on this examination.

The examination process will consist of an application screening (pass/fail) based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questions. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%). Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in San Mateo County, California and applicants must participate at their own expense.
 
IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org to apply. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date. 
 
TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE
Final Filing Date: Friday, October 2, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PST
Application Screening: Monday, October 5, 2026
Combined Panel Interviews: Monday, October 19, 2026

HR Analyst: Arlene Cahill (09102026) (IS Data Supervisor- V302)