GIS Analyst - Forestry Data

$62,026 - $95,555/Yr

State Of Iowa - Des Moines, IA

Full-time - Mid Level

Des Moines, IA

Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support

About the position

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is seeking a GIS Analyst (Geologist 3) to join the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Section of the Land Quality Bureau. This position is pivotal in providing high-level GIS support to various forestry programs within the department. The successful candidate will engage in a range of activities related to forest health assessment and data collection, urban and community forestry, and the maintenance and monitoring of the forest GIS database for the Forest Stewardship Program, as well as other state and federal cost-share programs. The GIS Analyst will be responsible for database management, data analysis, quality control, and the uploading and editing of GIS data and products. This role will also involve the utilization of federal mapping tools and coordination with field foresters on data management, projects, and applications, some of which may occur in outdoor settings. The position requires proficiency in using ESRI GIS desktop and online software to map, assess, and monitor forest health, as well as the ability to produce GIS data, analysis, and online mapping using software such as ArcGIS Pro, ArcMap, ArcGIS Online, and QGIS. Additionally, the GIS Analyst will communicate effectively with DNR staff and external entities, including governmental agencies and universities, regarding the intersection of forest health and GIS-related topics. The role also includes training and troubleshooting data collection technologies with foresters in both indoor and outdoor environments. The ideal candidate will demonstrate critical job competencies such as accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, customer focus, and integrity, among others.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-level GIS support to forestry programs in the Department.
• Conduct forest health assessments and data collection.
• Maintain and monitor the forest GIS database for the Forest Stewardship Program and other state & federal cost-share programs.
• Manage database operations, including analysis, quality control, and editing of GIS data and products.
• Utilize federal mapping tools for various projects.
• Coordinate with field foresters on data management and project applications.
• Use ESRI GIS software to map, assess, and monitor forest health.
• Produce GIS data, analysis, and online mapping using various GIS software.
• Communicate with DNR staff and external entities about forest health and GIS topics.
• Train and troubleshoot data collection technologies with foresters.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with major course work in geology, physical geography, or a closely related geological science and three years of full-time professional geology experience; OR graduation with major course work in a natural science, computer science, math, or engineering field and four years of full-time professional experience in an earth science-related position; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 18 semester hours of education or 1 year of experience demonstrating competencies in GIS, including the ability to create, edit, import, export, project, and georeference GIS data.
• Demonstrated proficiency with major ESRI software products, including ArcView, ArcInfo, and ArcGIS.
• Ability to conduct spatial analyses and queries to answer complex questions relating to spatial data.
• Ability to produce cartographic documents in various formats.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with QGIS software.
• Knowledge of forestry programs and vocabulary.
• Experience in training others in GIS technologies.

Benefits

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid holidays
• Paid time off