GIS Specialist

Summary

This opportunity is open only to current King County employees. We are not accepting external applications at this time.

If you are a technology enthusiast who relishes the challenge of applying advanced tools to complex, real-world problems and is driven by the chance to make a substantial community impact, then this role as a GIS Specialist located in the Data and Analytics Unit (DnA) may just be perfect for you!

About the Role :
The GIS Specialist (GIS Specialist, Journey) will be part of a dedicated team focused on the sustainable management of natural and built resources, you’ll have the opportunity to protect the environment, promote social justice, and improve the quality of life in King County. Those who find fulfillment in empowering others to work more effectively and create lasting impact will find this role especially rewarding. In this position, you’ll be at the forefront of King County’s innovation journey, leveraging an expanding suite of integrated tools-like GIS, CRM, AMS (Asset Management Systems), and advanced data science platforms-to develop solutions that bridge environmental stewardship, data-driven decision-making, and community service. Serving as a bridge between technology and practical applications, this role enables WLRD to streamline operations, improve decision-making, and enhance community service. By applying GIS and other technologies, this position will support the County’s mission to protect the environment, improve equity, and serve diverse communities. Initial projects include implementing data systems for the King County Conservation Futures Program, Land Conservation Initiative, and Noxious Weed Program. This is a unique opportunity to make a tangible difference while building a robust skill set across multiple disciplines in a supportive and forward-thinking environment.

This position performs work remotely and onsite.

About the Team:

The Data and Analytics Unit, housed in the Water and Land Resources Division (WLRD) Director’s Office, develops, modernizes, and maintains key information systems that King County relies on for daily operations, including stormwater, hydrography and land management, infrastructure and natural asset management, and environmental monitoring, such as water quality and fish passage. Our strategically-minded team of 14 professionals-geographers, environmental and data scientists, engineers, artists, and IT experts-actively drives modernization efforts, including leading the implementation of the WLRD Strategic Data Plan to improve operational effectiveness, accountability, and integration across programs, particularly through GIS, Asset Management Systems (AMS), and Customer Relationship Management (CRM). We are the product managers for numerous essential datasets, including King County’s fish passage, hydrography, noxious weed and stormwater infrastructure inventory datasets-resources relied upon by many departments and partners, such as the Department of Local Services and Permitting Division and the Washington State Department of Ecology. Our work builds robust, authoritative datasets that form the backbone of asset management systems, supporting additional departments like the King County International Airport, the Parks and Recreation Division, the Roads Services Division, and the Stormwater Services Section. These datasets also facilitate complex spatial analyses and drive insights in reports and dashboards. Through these efforts, we support colleagues in delivering high-quality public service, advancing equity and social justice, and promoting environmental stewardship across the division and county.

Commitment To Equity and Social Justice: King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As a GIS Specialist , you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity .

Apply now for a rewarding career at the Water and Land Resource Division of King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP) or Wastewater Treatment Division. Join our talented workforce in protecting and restoring the natural environment and promoting more resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities. Enjoy training, comprehensive benefits , and growth opportunities.

Job Duties

What You Will Be Doing:

• Oversee and manage relational databases, geodatabases, and data collection systems for the Rural and Regional Services Section (RRS). Responsibilities include maintaining existing GIS-centric systems, implementing upgrades, managing database changes, and ensuring adherence to best practices. This includes integrating GIS systems with other technologies, such as CRM, to support programs like the King County Noxious Weed and Open Space Acquisitions Programs.
• Contribute to the implementation and enhancement of Rural and Regional Services (RRS) data management projects, applications, web tools, analytical resources, and particularly GIS-integrated asset management systems. Assist in project planning, coordination, and execution, incorporating change management strategies and maintaining thorough project documentation, including workflows, system requirements, and process changes. Facilitate continuous process improvements and adopt emerging technologies to advance RRS mission and operational efficiency.
• Serve as SME (Subject Matter Expert) in GIS, databases, data management, data science, programming, and data collection. Collaborate with project teams, contributing to technical solutions, documentation, and knowledge sharing. Assist with production tasks performed by other program and GIS staff on a project-specific basis.
• Ensure seamless integration and management of program data into division, department, County, and external partners' spatial database products, adhering to data governance, equity, and quality standards. Document data workflows, governance practices, and integration processes. Facilitate the acquisition and utilization of data by collaborating with County professionals and external partners, such as other agencies and jurisdictions.
• Provide help desk and on-site assistance and implementation support for users with software and hardware, e.g., office and field staff setup. Document support procedures and user guides to ensure consistent and efficient troubleshooting and onboarding.
  

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Qualifications You Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Geosciences, Data Science, Engineering, or a related field, and demonstrated experience working with complex GIS technologies, including serving as a primary contributor to at least one system design, development, and implementation project for a large or complex initiative; OR an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the work.
  
• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively in teams to identify and document business requirements and translate business, operational, and technical needs into viable solution approaches and specifications.
  
• Demonstrated experience in designing, testing, implementing, and maintaining multi-user geodatabases, supporting more than 10 users, with a focus on effective data management, functionality, and integration with other systems.
  
• Demonstrated proficiency with contemporary GIS software to manage databases, spatial data, and organize datasets, enabling the development and maintenance of effective, user-friendly applications across desktop, web, and mobile environments. Experience should include spatial data management, geoprocessing, scripting, and automating workflows to enhance functionality.
  
• Demonstrated experience with ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Enterprise to build services, deploy web applications, and support solutions for web and mobile platforms, with a focus on usability, efficiency, sustainability, and security.
  
• Demonstrated experience integrating multi-user GIS systems with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platforms, such as Salesforce or Microsoft Dynamics, to enable seamless data sharing and workflow optimization.
  
• Strong organizational skills and a customer service mindset, with demonstrated ability to support end-users, provide training, and collaborate with multiple partners, including other jurisdictions.
  

Competencies You Bring:

• Customer Focus: Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
• Tech Savvy: and adopting innovations in business building digital and technology applications.
• Nimble Learning: Actively learning through experimentation when tackling new problems, using both successes and failures as learning fodder.
• Communicates Effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Optimizes Work Processes: Knowing the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement.

It Would Be Great if You Also Bring:

• Experience with data visualization and reporting tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau, or ArcGIS Dashboards) to communicate insights and support data-driven decision-making.
  
• Experience managing natural resource management data in GIS and configuring GIS-centric asset management systems.
  
• Experience managing or analyzing environmental or regulatory datasets, such as those related to water quality, conservation, or land use, to support compliance and program objectives.
  
• Knowledge of data governance practices and data quality management strategies to ensure accuracy, consistency, and security of GIS and asset management datasets.
  

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions:

• Remote and Onsite Work Details: Employees in this role work remotely from a home location, with onsite reporting requirements typically 1 day per month . The frequency of onsite work is determined by business needs and may be adjusted accordingly. Onsite reporting locations may be at various King County worksites including the collaboration space at King Street Center (201 S. Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104). This work arrangement promotes work-life-balance and reduces carbon footprint under the department’s vision of Green Where We Work .
• Remote Work Location Requirement: Employees must reside in Washington State and be within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to meet workplace reporting requirements.
• Work Schedule: This full-time position works a 40-hour work week. This position is exempt from the overtime provision of the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA) and is not overtime eligible. The typical work schedule is 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday- Friday. Attendance at evening meetings and weekend events may be required from time to time including for staffing of the Flood Warning Center or Flood Patrol during flood emergencies.
• Union Representation: This position is not represented.

Application and Selection Process: We welcome applications from all qualified candidates that are current King County employees. We are not accepting external applications at this point. We value diversity, diverse perspectives and life experience and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply. This posting may be used to create an eligibility list for future vacancies in similar positions over the next six months.

Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness and alignment with the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills essential for this role to determine which candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews.

Applications without the following required materials may not be considered for this position.

To apply, submit a:

• Complete Online Application with response to supplemental questions.
• Resume.
• Cover Letter.

Note: Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening.

Who to Contact: For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Isaac Good at (206) 848-0576 or igood@kingcounty.gov .

Discover More About the Water Land & Resources Division: Visit our website .

Discover More About DNRP: Visit our website , explore an interactive map of our recent accomplishments and check us out at Facebook , X (formerly Twitter) , LinkedIn , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube and Keeping King County Green News .

Sign up for Job Alerts to be notified of additional career opportunities with King County. Select the Natural Resources category for DNRP opportunities and explore other categories of interest.

Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers. Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our " True North ", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer: No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what’s best for themselves and their eligible dependents
• Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
• Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
• Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
• 12paid holidays each year plus twopersonal holidays
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Paid parental,family and medical, and volunteer leaves
• Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness programs
• Onsite activity centers
• Employee Giving Program
• Employee assistance programs
• Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
• Training and career development programs

For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page .

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.

NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position.Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.

For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.

Closing Date/Time: 3/16/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

• 

• King County Water and Land Resources Division

• 206-477-4800

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