GIS Data Engineer

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, this position will:

Design and implement systems of record that server as the authority for Wildlife Program owned data across the agency.

• Design, implement, and maintain complex GIS resource inventory databases across a variety of data storage platforms.
• Design relational databases using development tools for entity relationship diagramming, script generations, and workflow modelling. Applies appropriate data model changes to existing databases.
• Maintain source code for the databases and associated scripts in an organized repository.
• Use best practices for security and authentication for access to data.
• Identify nexuses with existing datasets to allow for improved interoperability between internal and external systems.
• Write documentation for the data models and databases before, during, and after development.

Design and implement automated data pipelines through scripting, replication, or other means and spanning a variety of environments.

• Design and implement Extract-Transform-Load (ETL) patterns and scripts to migrate data across systems.
• Ensure data validation procedures are complete when data is either imported or exported.
• Design pipelines for data to move between environments; some environments are under agency control, while others are managed by third parties.
• Maintain source code for ETLs and scripts in an organized repository.

Support legacy spatial data management systems and applications.

• Maintain and modify existing databases for domains such as the Private Lands Hunting System, Lands Information System, and legacy data management scripts.
• Design, develop, and implement enhancements to existing databases when necessary.
• Communicate changes to legacy systems to the appropriate users and stakeholders.
• Develop migration strategies when a system has been flagged for retirement.

Participate in technical analysis and system architecture design process.

• Coordinates with cross-program/division staff to address system and process dependencies.
• Makes recommendations on technologies used in the development of GIS systems of record.
• Evaluates new and emerging technologies to further improve/enhance desktop, web, and mobile data capture, management, and visualization.

Working Conditions:

Work setting: Duties are performed in an (work/home) office setting and extensive computer use.

Schedule: Typically, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Requires some flexibility in work schedule in order to perform IT system maintenance/testing activities or to respond to unforeseen system problems or outages.

Travel requirements: Some travel is required to attend/participate in training, meetings and professional conferences.

Customer Interactions: This position will interact with other WDFW staff, and will occasionally meet with external partners and stakeholders.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major in Information Technology, Computer Science, Geographic Information Systems, Remote Sensing, Wildlife Management, Wildlife Ecology, Geography, or a closely related field.

And

Five (5) years of information technology and geographic information systems experience such as consulting, analyzing, designing, programming and/or maintaining complex spatial and tabular data systems, developing complex computer applications, managing and directing projects, providing customer or technical support in spatial data.

Please note:  Professional equivalent experience may substitute year-for-year for the education requirement as long as that experience is in information technology and geographic information systems such as consulting, analyzing, designing, programming and/or maintaining complex spatial and tabular data systems, developing complex computer applications, managing and directing projects, providing customer or technical support in spatial data.

Experience in/with:

Relational database design, Structured Query Language (SQL), programming and scripting (Python, JavaScript, TypeScript), ArcGIS Pro, designing and managing services in ArcGIS Enterprise and ArcGIS Online, and data access pattern designs.

Developing custom database solutions (SQL Server, Postgresql, PostGIS) and customizing data collection platforms.

ArcGIS Enterprise, map and feature (web) services, web-based data entry and editing, Python scripting, and ArcGIS REST API, JavaScript API, and Python API.

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:

• Master’s Degree (MS) in Computer Science, Geography, Natural Resources or Wildlife Biology with emphasis in GIS and Remote Sensing or in a closely related field.
• Experience with use of mobile devices (smartphones, tablets, Global Positioning Systems (GPS) units, and other data logging devices) for designing and deploying custom field survey data collection solutions.
• Professional experience preparing and presenting highly technical information, concepts, or IT applications to both technical and non-technical audiences.