TOWN OF ARLINGTON – DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS (DPW)
DIRECTOR OF GIS / PROJECT MANAGER

Definition

Professional, supervisory, administrative, analytical and project management work in support of GIS and other technology related projects and initiatives. Leads efforts in the use of GIS and other technologies to achieve a more robust, efficient, and effective work environment. Additionally provides GIS related data and visuals to support decision-making across the organization.

Work Environment

Work is performed under typical office conditions and remotely as needed. May need to work in various other offices to support staff in other departments, outside of normal working hours as required to complete tasks, and may attend evening meetings to support initiatives as needed.

Has regular contact with DPW staff and offices throughout the Town in answering questions by phone, email, in person, , providing training, implementing and supporting applications. Considerable diplomacy and sound judgment in managing these relationships is essential.

Works under the general supervision of the Director of Public Works. If work is not directly assigned from the Director, the Director of GIS will set their own priorities, while balancing the priorities of the Department. Certain larger project initiatives are to be communicated clearly to Director to help prioritize within the larger framework of the Department. This position requires an independent, self-starter mindset with a solid understanding of how to manage multi-project, on-demand requests, to delivery timely results.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

(The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.)

Manages the Town’s Geographic Information System (GIS) activities, including strategic planning, purchases, project management, systems administration, application development, cartography, analysis, and data creation and collection. Trains, assists, and collaborates with GIS users in various departments, while managing all licenses and user permissions. Responsible for building staff’s capacity to self-serve using desktop and online GIS products, while advocating for use of the tools by non-GIS users when the opportunity arises. Through continued communication with staff town wide, determine when and how GIS can be applied as a solution to various problems, which may include public safety, regulations, and sensitive information.

ESRI environment includes multiple geodatabases on an on-site Windows server, shapefiles for data transfer to PeopleGIS system, and data sharing with vendors and the public. We use some aspects of ArcGIS Online, including StoryMaps, Hub for public data access, and ArcGIS Online Maps.

Manages vendor relationships and technical support, contracts, and initiates procurement needs. Keeps abreast of technology trends and regional relationships through membership in professional organizations, reviews current technical literature, meets with vendors, and continued education. Strives for certifications, such as GIS Professional (GISP), ESRI Technical Certification, project management, systems or business analysis, along with self-awareness, and personal growth opportunities.

Proactively seeks projects opportunities to modernize the DPWs business practices through the use of technology. By building relationships among all DPW divisions , the Project Manager will become a primary contact for many staff that have a problem and would assistance finding a solution. The Project Manager will listen deeply to staff needs, conduct research, and offer potential solutions that may improve Departmental Operations, through technology advancement, business process improvement, staff training, or technical support. All aspects of these duties may require in-depth assessment of current practices, which may involve short or long term efforts and immersion in requesting department’s environments. Listening to and synthesizing information provided by staff and understanding why their pain points exist is key to developing a useful solution. Efforts may require facilitating a series of meetings, shadowing, relationship building, and documentation of the findings. Certain business process improvements may require communications DPW Supervisor(s) to ensure potential solutions align with that Departments initiatives. Offering and implementing solutions to meet the needs of the requestor is imperative and delivering a solution within budget and on time is vital to organizational advancement.

Makes recommendations to the DPW Director related to delegating work better suited for other DPW staff, project prioritization, training initiatives and DPW related Capital Investments.

Recommended Qualifications

Education:

Master’s degree preferred in GIS, Computer Science, Business Administration or Information Technology related field or combination of Bachelor’s degree and at least 3 years of related experience. Experience with municipal government beneficial, but not required as we value skills developed in a non-government environment.

Technology Related Skills

• Existing PC environment, Microsoft Office, ArcGIS/Pro Desktop, ArcGIS Online, and interpersonal communication skills at expert level essential.
• PeopleGIS (PeopleForms, MapsOnline) skills and/or desire and capacity to learn high preferred.
• Project management s, software development lifecycle, data management skills, highly preferred.
• Programming skills (SQL, Python, Arcade for use in ESRI products; JavaScript, MapServer for use in PeopleGIS products) preferred.

Skills and General Knowledge

Strong ability to communicate with staff of varying technical abilities. Self-starter with ability to work independently, as a leader of a team, and as a member of a team. Interpersonal skills, such as active listening, comprehension, giving constructive feedback, and patience. Analytical skills, related to understanding and describing complex business systems and processes. Project management skills.

Writing skills related to development of software requirement, documenting existing and future business processes.

Additional Requirements

Valid driver’s license

Physical Requirements:

Moderate physical effort is generally required to perform duties. The employee is frequently required to operate equipment, walk, stand, sit, speak and hear, lift, reach, balance, crouch, crawl, and stoop. Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation. Must be able to communicate verbally. Light lifting and carrying of work materials, including files, microcomputers and peripheral equipment or other items weighting between 30- 50 pounds.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and is subject to change by the employer, as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.