The City of St. Marys GIS & New Media Specialist provides Geographical Information System (GIS) technical support and assistance to the Community Development Department though research, design, implementation and management of the Department’s geographical information database, as well as, serving as the lead for developing and implementing the department’s online content strategy and for directing the Department’s blogger and online journalist outreach. The GIS & New Media Specialist will serve as the Department’s lead GIS assistance to our elected officials, staff and public by producing maps and related data representation.
Applicant must demonstrate skills in social media and Web 2.0 technologies; be able to develop, write, and edit web content, including blog and social media posts; and possess strong project management skills. Applicant should be able to perform exceptionally in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines, and adapt easily to changing priorities. Experience with ESRI ArcMap, QGIS or other mapping software is a must, while experience with Adobe Creative Suite or similar publishing and graphics software and other online applications is desired.
Examples of GIS Duties, but are not limited to the following
- Create, maintain and analyze data and maps for City Leadership, Division Staff, Public, and special projects as assigned.
- Assists in the creation and maintenance of the Division’s GIS layers and metadata in Multiuser Geodatabase and for use in ArcGIS Online.
- Uses Cartographic/Graphic Design Principles for print and/or digital map and/or images.
- Interprets maps and aerial photography.
- Interprets and extracts data from a variety of sources (online, regional server)
- Performs data conversion into GIS acceptable formats and integration of this data from different formats into GIS utility.
- Assists with implementation and maintenance of GIS mapping applications.
- Assists with moving and displaying data between AutoCAD and GIS.
- Prepares data representation in map or tabular format for posters and/or reports.
- Follows GIS procedures such as geocoding addresses, basic calculations (acreage, square footage), data analysis, spatial analysis, 3D representation, metadata creation, and procedural documentation, creation, and editing of GIS data files.
- Assists co-workers in the use of GIS software programs such as ArcMap, GIS Web Applications, GIS mobile data collection software and open source equivalent software.
- Assists co-workers with the use of, and aids in troubleshooting of, GIS applications, general office programs and graphic design programs.
- Participates with team members to coordinate and address workloads, procedures, technical issues, schedules, and other job-related activities.
- Works with co-workers in developing and implementing project analysis with GIS software and data.
- Works with people from other agencies and departments on projects.
- Actively supports and respects diversity in the workplace.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Examples of New Media Duties, but are not limited to the following:
- Maintain Departmental websites and blogs with frequent blog posts as well as collecting, editing and clearing blog posts across Departments;
- Coordinating day-to-day content postings to both Departmental web sites and social media web sites like Facebook, Twitter, and others. This includes acting as a liaison to the web team and working closely with various teams within Departments and partners to ensure accuracy and prompt publishing;
- Serving as a primary contact for bloggers, online journalists and various web communities, designing and executing outreach plans to these online communities and writers, and representing the department in a professional and courteous manner at all times;
- Serving as the team expert on Web 2.0 technologies, usage, and trends, particularly as these technologies relate to government communications;
- Taking photos and filming videos to be posted to Department’s YouTube and Flickr accounts (familiarity with editing software a plus);
- Offering new and innovative ideas for how the City can accomplish its mission more effectively online;
- Acting as the main liaison to the web team for Public Affairs and other Departmental offices;
- Serving as a liaison to other departments and agencies on developing web and social media content while coordinating with other government agencies; and
- Developing and writing informational materials for posting on the web and to social media web sites.
Knowledge of:
- Office practices, procedures, and programs.
- GIS data entry and editing practices.
- New media content development, production and maintenance.
Ability to:
- Use the following mapping software: ESRI ArcGIS Desktop, ArcCatalog, ArcScene (3d Mapping Application), Adobe Illustrator, ESRI ArcGIS Online, or comparable Open Source packages (Quantum, Grass, Mapbox, Leaflet, etc.) and Customized ESRI ArcMap (GeoDart).
- Use Microsoft Office (Word, Access, Excel, Powerpoint) and Adobe Acrobat Reader/Professional,
- Convert and display data and layers between GIS and AutoCAD.
- Operate a variety of office equipment, including printers, plotters, scanners, and reproduction machines.
- Maintain detailed and specialized files and record-keeping systems.
- Interpret and apply division information in making work decisions or in providing information to others.
- Read and interpret legal property descriptions.
- Operate personal computer and use word processing, spreadsheet, and email software.
- Prioritize projects and work quickly, accurately, and thoroughly with close attention to detail to meet deadlines.
- Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with supervisors, peers, City staff, employees, and the public.
- Understand and follow oral and written policies, procedures, and instructions.
- Understand automated tools and their capabilities.
- Understand basic cartographic concepts.
- Write formal reports, event and legal notices, as well as, creative informal posts.
- Write, develop, edit and produce news stories, podcasts, and various reports.
- Creatively compose in various media formats.
- Artistically design graphic presentations for a range of customers, from general audiences to specific target audiences (i.e. owners in flood prone areas, builders and developers, commercial owners and operators, etc.)
- Organize web page (structure, format, maintain user engagement)
- Manage web page and social media (keep information up-to-date, schedule and develop content, maintain and coordinate content across platforms)
- Work with teams to develop media content, manage projects and produce deliverables on strict timelines.
- Work with media software, from on-line web 2.0 interface modules to desktop graphics and publishing software, such as MS Publisher, PowerPoint, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and Flash, or Open Source Equivalents.
- Learn or develop skills across platforms.
Minimum Qualifications
Experience
Two years of progressively responsible clerical or technical support experience, preferably in engineering, surveying, mapping, or graphics work environment. With verifiable evidence of experience in web page and content development.
Any knowledge in web-authoring software, word processing, content management software, spreadsheets, databases, desktop publishing, image or video editing and production, web-related surveys, analytics or statistical software, crowd-sourcing tools, are appreciated.
Training
High school diploma or GED and training in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), computerized drafting, or cartography, with a minimum of two to three years of experience working with communications and/or social media and Web 2.0 technologies.
- Strong writing skills with experience writing content for the Web or blogs.
- Ability to shoot video and photos, and experience with editing software.
- Some familiarity with HTML and content management systems.
- Ability to understand the overall digital strategy as it relates to the Department’s mission.
- Knowledge and understanding of the current economic and public policy environment as it relates to Department’s mission.
- Superior project management and communication skills, strong initiative, proven experience meeting deadlines, and the ability to work with all levels of staff and the public also are required.