Principal GIS Specialist (10879, Grade 28)

The Prince George’s County Planning Department of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission seeks an experienced, detail oriented, and highly skilled GIS Professional to serve as a Principal GIS Specialist in the GIS Section of the Information Management Division.

For over 90 years, The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) has enjoyed a national reputation for excellence in planning and today, serves the culturally diverse populations of Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties on the border of Washington, D.C. The Planning Department provides county-wide planning functions including long range planning as well as reviews of development applications for Prince George's County, Maryland. As the second most populous county in Maryland, Prince George's has a population of approximately 960,000 residents and is home to The University of Maryland at College Park, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, and Joint Base Andrews. Prince George's County is also home to many attractions such as Northwest Stadium, National Harbor, and Six Flags Amusement Park. If you are interested in working for the Prince George's County Planning Department, we invite qualified candidates to apply for our Principal GIS Specialist position.

Reporting directly to the GIS Manager, the Principal GIS Specialist shall proficiently deliver a wide range of dynamic analytical products using ESRI desktop and web platform resources. Experience researching, editing, and performing QA/QC on spatial data such as parcels, addresses, zoning, land use, and development data, administering GIS servers and databases, and creating public facing mapping applications and dashboards is a desired plus. Experience in querying and task automation via Oracle SQL, Python, and Arcade expressions is also desired. To be successful in this role, you must manage competing priorities and deadlines; accurately complete assignments with minimal supervision; and communicate well with the team, customers, and leadership.

This position provides all the tools necessary and flexibility to succeed and is ideal for anyone interested in being part of a best-in-class GIS Section.
 
Important Skills and Characteristics: 

• Comprehensive understanding of GIS concepts and best practices.
• Experience with enterprise level GIS planning, development and maintenance
• Ability to independently manage, coordinate, and lead several GIS projects simultaneously.
• Ability to foster the development of professional business relationships with citizens, county agencies and Commission staff.
• Eagerness to explore and excel in new technical areas.
• Excellent analytical, logical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Collaborative with a good work ethic, a cooperative spirit, and creative thinking.
• Adaptable and willing to learn new technologies.

• Serve as a task leader in performing GIS related activities for the Section.
• Develop, assess, and recommend modifications to GIS Section workplans.  
• Update and maintain GIS data used for local government applications. Coordinate maintenance activities among multiple team members.
• Gather spatial data to be entered into the enterprise GIS database using remote sensing techniques, analytical techniques, or in-the-field observations.
• Analyze spatial data, cross-referencing multiple layers in support of client requests for regulatory or planning purposes.
• Define, develop, test, and maintain GIS applications.
• Query, process, and analyze GIS data and generate maps and reports.
• Serve as system(s) or database administrator for our GIS software installation or enterprise data.
• Serve as lead application manager for PGAtlas or other web-based applications.
• Provide GIS technical support and services; communicate and coordinate users’ needs to staff and contractors; generate, review and critique consultant specifications for GIS contract work.
• Identify and resolve GIS hardware, software, and application problems. 
• Provide technical assistance to staff and citizens; identify training needs; and respond to users’ GIS inquiries.

1. Bachelor’s Degree in Geography, Remote Sensing, Computer Science, Information Technology, Photogrammetry, Cartography, Surveying or any related field.
2. Four (4) years of experience in GIS that includes geospatial data query and manipulation, map production, data mining and data quality assurance and quality control; programming and application development involving spatial or non-spatial data.
3. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total eight (8) years.
4. Depending on area of assignment, a valid driver’s license in accordance with both State and Commission rules and regulations. Driver’s license must be unencumbered by restrictions, revocations, suspensions, or points that could limit the employee’s ability to drive Commission vehicles or perform driving duties required by the position of assignment.

1. A master’s degree in geography, GIS, urban planning, or related field.
2. Previous examples of/experience developing web-based GIS applications and 3D visualizations.
3. Strong knowledge of ESRI GIS tools, especially ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, and SDE.
4. State and/or local agency experience, especially in Maryland.
5. Experience with Oracle, SQL, Tableau, Microsoft Power BI, or statistical analysis software.
6. Professional GISP, AICP, CMS accreditations and technical certifications.
7. Strong communication skills and an ability to support customer service requests and collaborate with other GIS users and managers.

Class/Specification: Principal GIS Specialist

WHY PRINCE GEORGE’S PLANNING? 
Amenities:

• Telework opportunities. 
• Flexible schedules.
• Onsite fitness center.
• Complimentary access to M-NCPPC gymnasiums throughout Prince George’s County. 
• Free parking is available for employees.
• Professional development opportunities/Tuition assistance. 
• Positions may qualify for federal student loan forgiveness assistance.