GIS Specialist

Salary: $43,596/year

About the Position

Under the general supervision of the Information Services GIS Manager, this position serves as a core member of the City’s Information Services GIS team while working primarily on community development–related activities. In close collaboration with a Business Operations Specialist, the position analyzes data and produces maps, visualizations, and other presentation materials that support community development functions such as housing, land use, climate resilience, economic development, building activity, urban forestry, parking, transportation, and other public infrastructure planning. In addition to its community development focus, this .5 FTE (Part-time) non‑represented position also contributes to broader IT responsibilities and provides support for GIS and technology related projects and services across the City.

Ideal Candidate Profile

  • Customer-service focused , with a friendly solution-oriented approach when supporting staff and responding to GIS IT requests.

  • Detail-conscious and willing to follow established data standards, quality checks, and documentation practices to help maintain data integrity

  • Communicates clearly and works well with others , asking questions to understand community development needs and helping translate them into maps or simple GIS products.

  • Organized and reliable, able to manage tasks, meet deadlines, and follow through on assignments with appropriate guidance from senior staff.

  • Foundational to Intermediate GIS skills , including experience with Esri software suite, map making, spatial analysis tasks, and data maintenance, with a desire to continue building technical proficiency.

To Apply

Please submit an electronic application and attach a resume and cover letter that explain how you meet the Ideal Candidate Profile for this position.

Recruitment will be open and continuous until the position is filled. Apply by midnight on March 29th 2026 to be considered in the first review of applications.

Contact Information

If you have questions about the position and/or requirements, please contact M. Langvad Tonkel, City GIS Manager, in the Information Services Department at (360) 753-8360 or via email at mtonkel@ci.olympia.wa.us .

Essential Functions

The essential functions of this position include but are not limited to:

  • Perform moderate to complex geo-processing and analysis using GIS applications to create, edit, and maintain GIS data layers.

  • Prepare moderate to complex analysis and maps for public requests, public meetings, planning, public hearings, and environmental analysis.

  • Provides customer support to users by troubleshooting any GIS related issues, advising on spatial analyses, mapping best practices and helping users with workflows.

  • Develop and maintain data quality, cartographic standards, and best practices for GIS.

  • Develop and maintain documentation and metadata for geospatial data.

  • Participates in Enterprise GIS upgrades by testing GIS workflows, maps and apps while documenting findings.

  • Utilize existing IT ticket tools and follow ITSM core ticket procedures.

  • Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays current on new trends and best practices.

  • Punctual, regular, and reliable attendance is essential for successful job performance.

Typical Qualifications

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities should include but not limited to:

  • Ability to assist public and/or other City staff in understanding GIS methodology and techniques.

  • Knowledge of published and practiced cartographic, computer programming, GIS and surveying standards.

  • Knowledge of principles, practices, techniques and concepts used in performing geoprocessing functions.

  • Knowledge of spatial database management procedures.

  • Knowledge of computerized mapping hardware capabilities and operations.

  • Ability to independently solve problems, prioritize and organize workload and assume responsibility for meeting deadlines with frequent interruptions.

  • Ability to read, understand and apply technical manuals and procedures.

  • Ability to maintain required records and prepare necessary reports.

  • Ability to communicate effectively.

  • Ability to maintain integrity of work by adhering to the GIS code of ethics.

  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other staff, vendors, associates, public officials, representatives from other agencies and the general public.

Experience/Education

  • High school diploma or GED and four (4) years of experience in Geography, Environmental Science, Data Science, Computer Science, Urban Planning, or other related fields.
  • OR associate degree in geographic information systems or a related field and two (2) years of experience as listed above;
  • OR bachelor’s degree in geographic information systems or a related field of experience as listed above;
  • OR a combination of experience, certification, education and training that demonstrates Foundational to Intermediate skills in the desired qualification areas.

Union:

Independents

Compensation (minimum-maximum):

$89,546.00 - $108,844.00

Exempt:

Yes


For general application or position questions please contact the hiring supervisor or Human Resources at humanresources@ci.olympia.wa.us.

The City of Olympia complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Manny Bosser, Director of Human Resources, at (360)753-8309 or mbosser@ci.olympia.wa.us. This contact is for ADA accommodations only. If you have questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the manager noted in the Contact section near the top of this recruitment.

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