This month will gather at Cascadia Brewery on Belmont
939 SE Belmont St
say around 5:30

Organization: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Title: Westside GIS and Data Support Analyst
Location: Olympia, WA
Application Deadline:
Posted: 2013-04-02

Position Description:
The Department of Fish and Wildlife is recruiting to fill a full time Permanent position located in the Wildlife Program, Science Division. The duty station is the Natural Resources Building located in Olympia, Thurston County.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is dedicated to protecting native fish and wildlife, and providing sustainable fishing, hunting, and wildlife, viewing opportunities for millions of residents and visitors. Working throughout the state, WDFW’s employees: field biologists, enforcement officers, land stewards, lab technicians, customer service representatives and others – manage hundreds of fish and wildlife species, maintain nearly a million acres of public wildlife lands, provide opportunities for recreational and commercial fishing, wildlife viewing and hunting, protect and restore habitat and enforce laws that protect fish and wildlife resources. Find out more about us and the important work we are a part of atwww.wdfw.wa.gov<http://www.wdfw.wa.gov>.

This is an exciting opportunity to work in the Wildlife Science Division, providing data management and analytic expertise to support and provide best available science which is used to drive protection, preservation, management, or restoration of wildlife within Washington State. This position is located in the Wildlife Survey Data Management (WSDM) unit which is responsible for spatial and tabular database design, analysis, application development and scripting, data design consultation, and customer service and support.

This recruitment is to fill a full time permanent position within the WSDM unit. You will serve as an expert level regional data and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) support analyst on high risk/high impact, mission critical, agency-wide wildlife data systems projects and participate in design, development, and maintenance activities on WSDM databases and applications. You will be responsible for providing expert consultation and primary cartographic, analytical, and database design support for west-side regional data and GIS projects. If selected as the top candidate for this position, you will play an integral role in developing and maintaining tools which make use of the latest geospatial data technologies for biological-based desktop, internet, and mobile data collection.

It is in the candidate’s best interest to apply before April 23, 2013 when a first review of candidates will be completed. The Department of Fish and Wildlife reserves the right to fill and close this position without notice.

Duties:
This position will be responsible for:

• Providing specialized data management and analytical (GIS and statistical) support to wildlife program biologists stationed in regional, district, and other offices.
  
• Designing, developing, and maintaining agency-wide spatial and tabular database and software applications to support Wildlife Survey Data Management (WSDM). Assisting regional personnel with desktop database development consistent with corporate data strategies.
  
• Performing technical analysis and consulting activities on high risk/high impact, mission critical projects to the agency.
  
• Serving as a project leader for wildlife data development and analysis.
  
• Evaluating new software and hardware products, documenting characteristics, and making recommendations.
  
• Developing standards, methods, policies, and procedures for management of Wildlife Program data systems.
  
• Providing programming and data modeling support for data system redesign and data outreach projects.
  
• Conducting user training and support of database and software applications.
  
• Traveling to west-side regional, district, and other offices for GIS/data support, to assess regional project needs, and to interact with clientele.
  

Qualifications:
Required Qualifications:
A Bachelor’s degree including 9 semester or 15 quarter hours of computer science courses and four years of experience analyzing, designing, or programming computer systems applications or databases.

OR

An Associate’s degree or completion of an accredited vocational training program in an information technology or related program and five years of experience analyzing, designing, or programming computer systems applications or databases.

OR

One year as an Information Technology Applications Specialist 4 or equivalent.

Experience analyzing, designing, or programming computer systems applications or databases will substitute for education on the basis of one year of experience for two years of education. A Master’s degree will substitute for one year of experience except for the specified Information Technology Applications Specialist 4 requirement.

AND

Washington Driver’s License or ability to obtain one.

Desired Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience in relational database design and structured query language (SQL) including the use of Microsoft Access and SQL Server (minimum 5 years of experience)
  
• Expert knowledge of ArcGIS Desktop and personal, file-based, and enterprise geodatabases (minimum 5 years of experience).
  
• GIS application development and customization experience using Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), Visual Basic .NET, C#, and/or ArcObjects (minimum 2 years of experience)
  
• Demonstrated experience developing geoprocessing scripts in Python using ArcPy and/or the geoprocessor (minimum 2 years of experience).
  
• Ability to present data in a user-friendly report.
  
• Master’s Degree in Quantitative Ecology, Computer Science, or Wildlife Biology with emphasis in GIS and Remote Sensing.
  
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  
• Ability to conduct oral presentations to both technical and non-technical audiences including managers, technical experts, and the general public.
  
• Ability to work independently on multiple assignments and coordinate tasks and priorities with supervisor.
  
• Ability to maintain a high level of customer service during one-on-one and group consultation.
  
• Ability to be reliable and on time and to attend and actively participate in meetings.
  
• Work effectively in a team as a leader or member, think creatively and with innovation, and exercise good judgment.
  
• Experience with GPS field data collection and developing custom forms on mobile devices, data loggers, and/or phones.
  
• Experience with ArcGIS Server, map and feature services, web-based data entry and editing, and JavaScript.
  
• Experience with ecological and biological data sets and analyses
  
• Experience with SAS and/or R
  
• Experience with Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Full details and application can be found here:

http://agency.governmentjobs.com/washington/default.cfm?action=viewJob&jobID=583194

For more details contact Michael dot Sanchez at dfw.wa.gov

Job Title: Geographic Information Systems Specialist II
Closing Date/Time: Fri. 04/12/13 5:00 PM Pacific Time
Salary: $4,991.04 - $7,022.92 Monthly
$59,892.52 - $84,275.07 Annually
Job Type: Full-Time
Location: Sacramento, California
Department: Used City-Wide

The current vacancy is located in the Department of Utilities.

CLASSIFICATION DEFINITION

Geographic Information Systems Specialist II is a journey level position. Incumbents perform a variety of professional analytical work in the analysis, design, implementation, and maintenance of an automated Geographical Information System; provide analysis to users needs and requirements; identify problems, objectives, and goals; examine alternatives and develop conclusions and recommendations. Positions in this classification are flexibly-staffed.

Depending upon assignment, typical duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Develop geographic information systems layers and/or data elements consistent with the existing standards.
• Coordinate the maintenance and scheduling of the geographical information system base map in conjunction with all other land based systems and/or files in the City.
• Evaluate and recommend acquisition of computer hardware and software necessary to implement the geographical information system.
• Plan and coordinate the administration and maintenance scheduling of all layers defined in the geographical information system in conjunction with all other land based systems and/or files in the City.
• Perform digitizing and drafting as required.
• Train users in the use of GIS and related software, workstations, printers and plotters, digitizing tablets and tables, and GIS networking systems.
• Develop and document GIS procedures.
• Develop prototype GIS products and cartographic quality maps.
• May supervise, train, and evaluate subordinates.
• Other related duties may also be performed; not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual holding this classification.

For full job description and application details:  https://www.governmentjobs.com/view_job.cfm?JobID=611070&hit_count=Yes

THE POSITION
(This is a temporary, part-time position, 24-32  hours per week)
This position requires the ability to assist the GIS Coordinator and GIS Technicians in performing a variety GIS maintenance activities using ESRI suite of software, and to assist I.T. staff with providing computer hardware, software and technical support to various divisions within the 
City. The position requires a self-motivated individual who learns quickly, who is able to assume increasing responsibility, and who is willing to perform routine tasks in order to gain a working knowledge of the  City's G.I.S and I.T. systems.

Typical duties may include: 

• Preparing, Creating, Editing, or Printing GIS maps based on existing datasets, such as street center lines, curbs, easements, assessor parcels, utilities, orthophotograpy, and fire hydrants, utilizing ArcGIS 9x, or other ancillary GIS software on a windows OS. 
• Creating, modifying, and maintaining of GIS spatial datasets, databases, and associated metadata, either manually or through geoprocessing tools. 
• Performing PC replacements, basic desktop technical support.

For full job description and application details:  http://www.ci.pleasanton.ca.us/pdf/GIS-Intern-2013.pdf

Vibrant Village Foundation
Internship –
Mapping & Research Project on Water Access and Distribution
Upper West Region of Ghana


The Vibrant Village Foundation is a private Family Foundation based in Portland, Oregon. Founded in 2010, the Vibrant Village Foundation provides project support to NGO programming in Portland, Oregon, Washington, D.C., and seven countries internationally. The Vibrant Village Foundation invests in the potential of communities around the world. We provide support in the areas of nutrition and health, clean water, agriculture, education, arts and economic development. Our goal is to achieve results that are measurable and long-term to improve individual lives. 

Vibrant Village Foundation in Ghana is seeking a qualified individual to lead a study and mapping 
project on the access and distribution of water resources in the village of Fielmon and surrounding 
areas in the Upper West Region of the country. The Fielmon area is dispersed geographically with a 
population of approximately 20,000 people spread across 18 villages. This study will identify sitespecific data and problems with access to water in the Fielmon area to help Vibrant Village staff and local community members in planning the best possible locations for future water points (boreholes or piped water). The study is expected to last 3 months in total, including approximately 1 month of fieldwork in Ghana. The Foundation will pay transportation, living expenses, and some equipment costs. Expected start date is June, 2013.

Primary Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience with GIS for data representation, mapping and analysis, especially used for mapping and overlaying water resources, housing, and schools;
• Experience using GPS devices to create data for map overlays;
  
• Strong skills in spatial analysis;
  
• Knowledge of or ability to create base maps is preferred;
  
• Strong written reporting skills;
  
• Ability to work closely with a team in difficult conditions to conduct research throughout the 
  
• region;
  
• Experience living or working in especially spartan conditions in the developing world;
  
• Flexibility and a good sense of humor.

Outputs:
Upon completion of fieldwork for this study, the researcher will produce a report on the access and 
distribution of water resources in the Fielmon area, including:

• Recommendations on future water points that can reduce problems with uneven distribution;
  
• An interactive map of the Fielmon area in which the viewer can click on the symbol for a school or household and see the approximate distance to nearest water sources and whether there are impediments with the terrain that interfere with water collection;
• Clickable symbols for a water point such as a borehole that yield information about it (e.g., depth, year drilled if available), and distance to schools and houses;
• Completed map is ‘living’ and should be easily updatable.
  

If interested in leading this study and for any questions, please send an emailtoKevin Grubb, Director of Programs, [email protected]. 

An interesting article on GIS Lounge that discusses the GIS job outlook.  

Where are the GIS Jobs? A Look at the GIS Job Market in the United States

"According to private research, GIS industry reportedly grew in the double digits in 2010 and another 8% in 2011.  The Bureau of Labor Statistics’  2010-2011 Handbook labeled GIS skilled workers as having ”favorable job prospects” and the US Department of Labor’s High Growth Industry Profile – Geospatial Technology report found that the geospatial market is “growing at an annual rate of almost 35 percent, with the commercial subsection of the market expanding at the rate of 100 percent each year.”

To continue reading:
http://www.gislounge.com/where-are-the-gis-jobs-a-look-at-the-gis-job-market-in-the-united-states/

Thursday, April 4th at 6:30-8:00 PM
Smith Memorial Student Union Room 238

Lecture: “Politics of everyday mapping and spatial narratives in China"

This lecture is on the efforts to investigate the intersection of the development and usage of geospatial technologies and the socio-political conditions to address questions that help to reveal and conceptualize the complexities of the increasingly embodied and everyday mapping practices in relation to knowledge production and civic engagement. The lecturer seeks to illustrate these complexities through case studies of VGI practices in China and situates these practices in China and to call for more attention to the nuanced everyday creativeness and the emerging network publics, shaped by the interplay of technological constructions and socioeconomic transformations in an increasingly urbanized society.

The lecture will be presented by Dr.Wen Lin, a Lecturer in Human Geography in the School of
Geography, Politics and Sociology at Newcastle University in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. Her research interests include critical GIS, public participation GIS, and urban geography. Her main research centers on examining the intersection between the development and usage of geospatial technologies and the sociopolitical conditions. 

Free and open to the public.

There is some good news for GISer's looking for a job in the environmental consulting field.  Check out the full article.

"Projects seem to be on the increase for environmental consulting firms: Those outfits are continuing to staff up.

Twenty-one of the top 25 environmental consulting firms in the Portland Business Journal's Top 25 list are hiring. Employment numbers are up year over year, and, as you can see below they are looking for more employees."

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/2013/03/portland-area-environmental-consulting.html

*Application period 28 March to 10 April 2013*

Biological technician with emphasis on plants needed to support the environmental stewardship program of the Corps of Engineers Willamette Valley Project.  Open to college students who can report to Fern Ridge Lake year 'round.

Job Title:Student Trainee (Biological Science Technician)
Department:Department of the Army
Agency:U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Job Announcement Number:WTHE13521299857903P

https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/340324900

Primary duties are related to botany, ecological restoration, and habitat management.  Work will focus on rare plant monitoring and inventory; native plant propagation in greenhouse and nursery; plant community inventory and restoration; and invasive plant survey and management.  May also assist with wildlife surveys and monitoring; stream restoration; boundary surveys.  Additional duties may include data entry; report writing; operation of powered and non-powered watercraft; use of hand and power tools; use of electronic instruments; and use of GIS software.

Successful applicant will work from the Fern Ridge Lake office of the Army Corps of Engineers.  Work may be located at any of 13 Corps dams in the Willamette watershed.  Work can involve long hours outdoors in any weather on any terrain.  Employee must have a valid driver's license.

Knowledge and experience:  Seeking applicants with strong interest and coursework in botany and field biology. Some ability to identify Pacific Northwest vascular plants is necessary.  Course of study may include wildlife, ecology, horticulture, other specialties in biology.  Valid driver's license and good record are required.  Working knowledge of GIS software; ability to operate GPS equipment; record observations; enter data into computer spreadsheets will be useful.

Schedule:  Employee will be work a full-time schedule during summer break and other breaks in the school year. When employee is in school, employee will work a part-time schedule of approximately 20 hours per week to accommodate the students school schedule.

I came across these Cartographic Standards developed by the CDC and thought some of you might be interested to see what they might look like for a government organization.  

"In May of 2011, GeoSWG Executive Committee formed the Public Health and Cartography Ad Hoc Committee "to propose cartographic guidelines and best practices to produce high-quality, consistent map products for the public health community." The purpose of these guidelines is to advance the application of geospatial concepts and methods within public health practice and research at CDC/ATSDR."

Cartographic Guidelines for Public Health
http://gis.cdc.gov/grasp/resources/Cartographic%20Guidelines%20PH%202012%20
with%20Cover%20v3-508c.pdf