Geospatial Data Specialist w/ Metro (pdx)

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/oregonmetro/jobs/3439665/geospatial-data-specialist

Position summary
​"Great data informs great decisions." Metro, a regional government in Portland, OR works with communities, businesses and residents in the Portland metropolitan area to chart a wise course for the future while protecting the things we love about this place. Metro serves the nearly 1.7 million people of the region by providing services for land use and transportation planning, housing and homeless services, GIS and research, natural areas, parks and trails, solid waste and recycling and visitor venues like the Oregon Convention Center and Oregon Zoo.
 
Data plays an important role in understanding and guiding policies, programs and decisions that our community members make. In recognition of this, Metro’s Data Resource Center collaborates with local partners to develop and deliver the Regional Land Information System (RLIS). RLIS provides more than 150 layers of spatial data that supports strategic decision-making for governments, businesses and organizations across our region. RLIS is a valuable public asset, and we use it to inform our choices and decisions.
 
The Geospatial Data Specialist performs a variety of geospatial data tasks in support of developing and maintaining RLIS and in the use of RLIS in planning activities and policy development. This is an entry-level position, and we are looking for someone who is familiar with the development and maintenance of data and who also has skills in data analysis and cartography. The position will support creating, maintaining and improving datasets that are part of Metro's enterprise data in RLIS, focusing on the GIS needs of the transportation planning team. Example datasets include the bike network, emergency transportation routes, crash data and high crash corridors. Significant support will be needed on a number of upcoming Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) efforts, and this position will work closely with transportation GIS staff to prepare data and maps for analysis, public review and inclusion in reports.  
 
This person will work on a supportive team of GIS data professionals housed within Metro’s Data Resource Center (DRC) in addition to working directly with planners, other GIS professionals and geospatial developers to deliver data that help both Metro staff and the public. Supervision is provided by the DRC Manager.

If this sounds like you – someone who wants to take on a job to excel in support of Metro’s transportation programs with opportunities to grow into the position as part of an interdisciplinary team – this is the job for you. 

Essential Job Duties:

• Works with Metro Planning staff to identify needs for analysis and visual portrayal of data and analysis.  Works with Manager to prioritize and deliver these needs as a part of the work program.
• Utilizes Esri software to develop, edit, analyze and publishes standard and custom maps and reports for Metro staff, partner agencies and the public in a team-oriented, high-volume production environment.
• Compiles, inventories, organizes, develops and documents quantitative and qualitative data from multiple sources.
• Assists in researching methodologies, sourcing data and creating dashboards for mapping and analysis.
• Provides back-up assistance to other staff who supply maps, aerial photography and computer mapping services.
• Effectively collaborates with other agency staff on projects.
• Uses a variety of techniques to visualize technical data and analysis results.
• Creates, edits and runs automation and quality assurance scripts (i.e. Python, ModelBuilder).
• Updates metadata, documents procedures and follows quality control routines.
• Develops and documents technical processes.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, skills and abilities 

• Direct experience editing data using Esri ArcGIS software.
• Direct experience performing quality control procedures and maintaining metadata.
• Direct experience in technical documentation.
• Some experience with scripting languages (particularly Python).
• Some experience working in a workflow-driven environment.
• Some experience with summarizing complex information through visualizations.
• Some experience with working with data from a variety of sources or in a variety of formats.
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing with a variety of people to answer questions and explain information.

​TO QUALIFY:
We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific about how your background is relevant.