Geographer 2 w/ BPA (Vancouver, WA)

Position Overview:
This full-time contract position serves as a Geographer 2 within BPA’s Geospatial Services Department (TERG). The Geospatial Services Department is responsible for providing Geospatial support in the maintenance, operation and development of new BPA facilities. This position provides advanced professional GIS (Geographic Information System) services utilizing computerized data capture, storage, and analysis techniques for visual displays, spatial analysis, and tabular reports on a wide variety of geographical projects. This position is located in Vancouver Washington, at the Van Mall Complex Two Park Place building location.
 
This position is open to Foreign National candidates
Contract personnel are not allowed to direct Federal employees, nor are they allowed to authorize expenditures or make decisions on behalf of BPA; these functions are specifically assigned to BPA employees. Contract personnel provide analysis, information and input to those functions. Additionally, contract personnel may only represent BPA (such as at seminars, industry events, etc.) with written authorization from a BPA Vice President.
 
Position Responsibilities include:
Note: all official drafts, documents and recommendations, as listed below, must be reviewed, finalized and approved / accepted by appropriate BPA manager / personnel with the authority to do so.

• Maintain technically complex GIS services to support BPA transmission construction projects, fiber optic projects, communication system projects, land management and environmental projects.  Support includes project specific spatial analysis and the design and preparation of publication quality cartographic and tabular report products using BPA and industry standards.
• Provide geographic expertise and consultation for long-range transmission facility right-of-way corridor planning projects, natural resource projects, operation and maintenance projects for existing BPA facilities, environmental review and compliance projects, and fish and wildlife projects related to BPA’s program and mission.
• Design and prepare cartographic products as needed using industry and organizational standards.
• Design and create GIS databases utilizing automated and manual techniques to populate and maintain GIS data.
• Create geoprocessing models and/or scripts to assist in data collection, storage, retrieval and analysis using automated techniques.
• Provide technical support for GIS software and applications as needed.
• Create and maintain metadata to track the source, scale, currency and other pertinent geographic information describing the origin and modifications to the data set.
• Support the timely delivery of products and services between Geospatial Services and other organizational units involved in the design, acquisition, and construction of BPA’s transmission facilities.
• Develop web mapping applications using industry standard software development tools and scripting languages to support project specific visualization and status reporting portals. 
• Participate in organizational efforts to recommend and develop process solutions to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of TERG operations, leveraging industry knowledge and best practices. Assist in developing process tools that promote effective coordination of records, process maps and operating procedures that are shared or exchanged between work teams and functions.
• As requested by the BPA Manager, provide demonstrations, presentations, and produce documents on GIS work being done by BPA. All presentation materials will be reviewed and approved by the BPA Manager.  Note:  Contract personnel may not speak in public and private forums as a representative of BPA.  They must provide identification in meetings or in work situations showing their employer of record.

 
Position Requirements:
Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as computer science, geography, cartography, natural resources, landscape architecture, and environmental, urban or regional planning, with a strong emphasis in computer assisted spatial analysis is strongly desired.
• In lieu of a Bachelor’s Degree, an equivalent of 4 additional years’ experience (8 years total) of directly related work experience providing professional GIS services utilizing computerized data capture, storage, and query and analysis techniques for visual displays, spatial analysis, and reports on a wide variety of projects is required.
• Minimum Experience Required:  4 - 6 years (with required bachelor’s degree; (8+ years without degree, as noted above) of directly related experience in GIS Support, providing professional GIS services utilizing computerized data capture, storage, and analysis is required.
• Knowledge of PC operating systems, ESRI ArcGIS software is required.
• Working knowledge of Python or similar scripting language is required.
• GISP (Geographic Information Systems Professional) certification is highly desired
• Basic knowledge of image processing, remote sensing, and LiDAR data mediums is desired.
• Familiarity with SharePoint functionality is desired.
• Experience with PC operating systems and standard software. Microsoft Office Suite 2010 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) proficiency required.

 
General Requirements:

• Must possess the ability to develop, maintain and modify geo-processing models and/or scripts, design and maintain geographic and relational databases, design and implement complex spatial analysis.
• Ability to lead or train technicians or related staff in the conduct of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analytical procedures.
• Ability to lead in the research, and development of automated geospatial analytical approaches that best provide problem solving solutions.
• Must be skilled in written, visual, and oral communication.
• Ability to work independently and prioritize assignments is required.
• Proficiencies in critical thinking and deductive reasoning are required.
• Must possess interpersonal skills useful in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with clientele and management.
• Must exhibit a continued ability to think creatively and actively learn.
• Carry out assigned tasks with a professional demeanor reflected in excellent written and oral communication skills, listening skills, patience, analytical reasoning and problem solving abilities
• Understand and follow established processes and procedures including change management, work tracking and time management.
• Obtain appropriate BPA manager / personnel approval for all recommendations and drafted materials                                    
• Ensure proper identification as a contract worker in all communications, correspondence, etc.                          

 
Additional Requirements:

• The selected candidate will be required to sign a BPA Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) as a condition of the contract assignment.
• This position requires some travel (5%) for meetings or to field locations.
• This position may require some over time (2%).
• Valid driver’s license is required
• This position may be eligible for situational offsite work, subject to the completion of a Supplemental Labor Offsite Work Memorandum of Understanding.
• RSA token will only be utilized when conducting work directly related to the API. Any other work is unauthorized. Contract Worker is responsible for the safe-keeping of the BPA-issued RSA Token at all times.  If the RSA Token is lost or compromised, immediately contact the COTR.  All information associated with the work performed offsite must be maintained in the BPA network environment.  No BPA information will be allowed to be transmitted, stored, and created, etc., on the contract worker’s personal devices. Contract personnel must follow all BPA and government-wide security, asset management, and cyber security policies and procedures.
• In the Event of a COOP Exercise or Incident, the contract worker may be required to work off site to provide support per roles and responsibilities outlined in the BPA Organizational COOP Plans.
• Geographer 2 will be expected to remain current on ESRI ArcGIS technology, analytical, technical practices and resources available in the geospatial professional field.  This will be fulfilled by attending 24 work hours of any combination of ESRI authorized training (i.e. GIS User Conference, ESRI technical workshop or seminar, etc.). The worker and/or their employer are responsible for maintaining technical proficiency, including the latest technologies, skills, and techniques, related to the geospatial professional field.

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If interested, contact:
Pete Gibson
Sr. Staffing Specialist
First Tek, DOS LLC
620 SW Fifth Avenue, Suite 1205, Portland, OR 97204
Phone: (503) 219-0625 || Fax: (503) 226-6786
www.first-tek.com || [email protected]