Job Description: GIS Technician – Local Government

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Briefly describe a typical day:
A typical day includes assisting planners, engineers & other staff in their GIS needs like mapping, analysis etc. Using GIS to perform studies and briefs for planning commission actions in a city government setting.  GIS analysis is used for zoning inquiries, impact analysis, city limits mapping, property information management, and addressing, among other things.

How do you use GIS to help your company?
Using GIS helps staff to become more efficient in performing their day to day tasks. We build in-house applications to automate parcel query information, support them in their mapping needs for presentation.

GIS software used:
ArcInfo, ArcView

What skills do you need to be successful in your position?
Background knowledge of GIS and a degree in urban or regional planning. Proficiency in the use of the GIS software, understanding the basics of GIS. Knowledge of the native scripting language and other advance functionality of the software.

What do you particularly enjoy about your position?
The ability to support different departments in their GIS needs. Job flexibility – lots of different duties.  The ability to support different departments in their GIS needs.

What don’t you like about your position?
Reporting to several people.

How did you get started in GIS?:
College.  Was hired by a Japanese firm to do on-the-job training in digitizing using ArcInfo back in 1988. Knowledge of GIS wasn’t actually required.

How did you find out about your current position?:
Answered an ad in a local newspaper.

What parting words of advice to you have?:
Experience is your best teacher when it comes to GIS…

Submitted March 19, 2001.

Job Title Industry Location
GIS Technician Local Government California
Years of Experience Education
Level
Salary Range
($ USD)
7 B.S. in Civil Engineering $54,000/year

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