Senior Systems / GIS Analyst

Community Development

Full-Time, 12 Months

Exempt, Pay Grade 18, VRS-Eligible, Benefits-Eligible

THE POSITION – SENIOR SYSTEMS / GIS ANALYST

The Senior Systems / GIS Analyst is responsible, at a very high level of efficiency, for the professional maintenance, continuance and further development of the County's Development Tracking System, Geographic Information System (GIS), and Community Development Department’s Records Management System.

Evaluates and integrates new software and hardware technologies into applications to help create more efficient and easier to use systems. Investigates user requirements and develops them into specifications for automation of manual functions.

Responsible for providing guidance on work flow improvements, designing and conducting training sessions, coordinating data analysis, and defining functional requirements.

THE DEPARTMENT – DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

The Department of Community Development (CDD) mission is to create a vision for the future of Albemarle County through a proactive community planning effort that involves all stakeholders in a consensus building process and ensures that all new development reflects the community's vision. Community Development strives to achieve a future community of quality development, protected natural resources, vital business activity, and livable, walkable neighborhoods.

Within CDD, the GIS team is a 4-person operation that supports the GIS endeavors of all County departments. From citizen map requests to spatial analysis to maintaining the GISWeb application to 911 addressing, our small team does it all. We work closely to ensure minimal overlap among existing projects and team up to get the job done right.

THE EXPECTATIONS

Essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Leads projects, makes presentations, and performs training associated with the integration and implementation of new software and hardware into current and new applications to create more efficient and easier to use systems;
• Improves efficiency of programs, systems and procedures through continuous process improvement and better techniques;
• Provides coordination between various user departments during the implementation of projects to ensure both interoperability and common interfaces for simple to complex projects;
• Acts as liaison between vendors, user departments, boards, and outside agencies;
• Performs Project Management activities including project planning, developing and maintaining budgets and schedules, status reporting, resource planning and allocation, and management of customer's expectations. Manages project resources, funds, and schedules to ensure responsiveness to business needs;
• Establishes management plans, strategic direction, and standards for procedures and policies as they relate to Information Technology systems architecture. Collaborates with Information Technology teams to ensure application requirements are understood and translated to technical solutions;
• Manages computer hardware, software systems, and SQL databases in a complex enterprise environment;
• Performs evaluations of new software and hardware technologies;
• Leads system troubleshooting efforts as issues arise, maintaining effective communication with users, vendors and internal support staff, and working closely with all parties to resolve operational systems issues, and to provide solutions;
• Serves as primary staff contact for the acquisition and dissemination of development and demographic data from and to local, state and federal agencies, internal staff and the public;
• Assists the public and County staff in defining their mapping and geographic data needs;
• Performs complex spatial analysis and database queries using GIS tools and relational databases;
• Develops reports from databases using Access, Excel, Crystal Reports, and SQL reporting services;
• Provides simple to complex programming/scripting as needed;
• Leads advanced processing (digitizing, programming/scripting, encoding, etc.) of various sources of information for inclusion in various County geographic and database files and maps;
• Assists with the development and review of contracts, project proposals, and implementation plans for Community Development;
• Conducts user training on usage of software and hardware for Development Tracking, GIS, and Records Management applications;
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

THE QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major work in Information Systems and Geography, Computer Science, or Statistics. Five or more years minimum experience as a Systems Analyst, Programmer/Analyst, GIS Analyst, or related position in a similar hardware and software environment.  Considerable experience in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), database management, and database administration.  Must have solid understanding of principles of database management and statistical analysis. Strong preference for experience with Visual Basic, Python, SQL, or comparable programming languages.  Experience in developing demographic projections, estimates, and analyses. Additional experience may be substituted for education. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Possession of a valid appropriate driver's permit issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Incumbent must exhibit strong leadership skills and attitude in support of project, Department, and County goals, and must have demonstrated ability to lead others in a team environment.  Must possess strong oral and written communication skills.  Requires exceptional ability to work and perform under pressure; exceptional ability to work well with people; ability to work independently, and ability to self-motivate.

Position requires programming, data processing, and systems analysis skills and education. Must possess working knowledge of principles, practices, concepts and techniques of Geographic Information Systems (GIS); Working knowledge of GIS applications, programming languages, development tools and supporting database and spreadsheet programs; Working knowledge of map data structures including vector and raster data capture techniques, cartographic standards and traditional map production. 

THE PHYSICAL CONDITIONS AND NATURE OF WORK CONTACTS

Work is typically performed in a sitting position at a computer monitor. Frequent walking, standing, bending, or stooping is required. Operation of a motor vehicle, operation of other office machines and hand tools requiring manipulative skills and hand-eye coordination is required. Occasional fieldwork throughout the County, which may involve traversing unimproved, rugged terrain, is required. Light lifting (30-40 pounds) and handling large, fragile, and valuable items is necessary.  Must be able to create written correspondence by hand writing or typing. Regular contacts with persons at all levels of County government, other state and federal agencies, the general public, and vendor companies are necessary. Communication often requires judgment, interpretation, and knowledge to determine what the actual needs are. Contacts are usually cooperative, however, require tact and diplomacy. Communications are with a single person or with groups of various sizes. Occasional need to perform urgent tasks to meet organizational deadlines. Must be able to read, comprehend, interpret and explain various forms, documents, manuals, laws, policies, and other literature. These documents contain written information in alpha and numeric form. Occasional work activity outside of normal duty hours. Must be able to work independently with little or no supervision, as well as perform as part of a team.

THE HIRING SALARY RANGE

The hiring salary range for this position is $55,609 - $66,731 per year depending on qualifications, experience, and internal equity. The position also provides excellent benefits including 12 paid holidays, paid vacation and sick leave, health insurance options with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, VRS retirement, and continuing education/training opportunities. This is a full time, FLSA Exempt position. Internal candidates will receive pay adjustments in accordance with Local Government Personnel Policy, §P-60.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: Open Until Filled (this posting will remain open for a minimum of 10 days)

You may find more information at the Albemarle County Human Resources page http://www.albemarle.org/hr.

Learn more about the County as a great place to live at: New Resident Guide

EEO/EOE