Description
The Washington State Department of Agriculture has been serving the state for more than 100 years. Through service, regulation, and advocacy, we keep agriculture viable and vital in Washington State, while protecting consumers, public health, and the environment. We work extensively with farmers and ranchers, but our responsibilities – from ensuring food safety to environmental protection – touch the lives of millions of people locally, nationally, and abroad.
The agency includes 780 employees approximately and grows close to 1,000 employees at the peak of seasonal work. To learn more and view additional openings, please visit our Employment Page.
The Plant Protection Division Administration section supports the five programs within the division in the areas of agency, state and federal policy and procedures, fiscal and HR matters in support of our mission, and customer service both internal and external. Each program admin supports their respective programs external and internal stakeholders in the areas of application renewals, executing and completing federal, state, and local contract agreement work and consult on fiscal and HR matters as it relates to the support of their programs while maintaining agency, state and federal policy and procedures.
The GIS Analyst / Location Intelligence Specialist works with both internal and external customers serving as GIS/LI support under the supervision of the Cartography Supervisor with project guidance from higher level GIS/LI team members. This position will provide entry level GIS support to data collection field staff from both the internal Plant Protection division as well as users from county, state, federal and tribal cooperators to aid in setup, training, and troubleshooting support. The GIS/LI Specialist will generate field, report, and outreach formatted digital and interactive geospatial tools to be used to communicate Pest Programs survey activities and results. This position is involved in entry level aspects of geospatial data management, reporting and automation tool creation for multiple programs within the Plant Protection Division.
Position and Salary Information
WSDA is recruiting for a full-time non-permanent GIS Analyst / Location Intelligence Specialist position within the Plant Protection Division. This position is located in Tumwater, Washington and is Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) represented.
The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the preferred candidate's job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The typical starting salary range for this position is: $47,688 Step A - $62,568 Step L annually.
Employee Benefits
- A healthy work/life balance, which may include flexible work schedules, and teleworking.
- WSDA provides an excellent benefits package beyond traditional benefits. State employment offers Dependent Care Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Deferred Compensation, Employee Recognition Leave; click here for more information.
- 12 paid Holidays & Vacation and Leave Accruals.
- All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required will be provided by the agency.
- Commute Trip Reduction Program.
For more information about the Washington State Department of Agriculture, visit us at www.agr.wa.gov.
Duties
Some of what you will enjoy doing will include:
- Use ArcGIS Online, cloud based tools to design, QA/QC and publish mobile data collection forms, maps, and other geospatial products needed for various pest program surveys.
- Work under supervision to assist in developing a next generation GIS geodatabase to house geospatial information collected across 20+ invasive pest and noxious weed surveys to aid in data and analysis.
- Under supervision, design web based maps and data collection forms that can be accessed from ESRI Field Maps mobile application and show proficiency in Arcade expression language for customized data collection automation tasks and data entry.
- Work with program coordinators, GIS staff, internal public outreach specialists and program managers to design and develop customized web apps, dashboards, and story maps to aid in public outreach and highlight the progress and results of pest program surveys as needed.
- Design and create specialized Python-based scripts and methodologies to analyze, implement, and automate GIS processes across multiple survey programs
- Work with our invasive moth program coordinator under the supervision of the GIS/LI Manager to develop the next generation data collection and maintenance application in ArcGIS Online/Enterprise to aid data collection, detection response and eradication planning.
- Work with GIS staff at cooperator entities to coordinate deliverables and provide troubleshooting resources for GIS tools and products provided by WSDA.
- Work with seasonal field surveyors to train on utilizing field data collection software and hardware to accomplish survey goals and data collection requirements.
- Gather and synthesis feedback and improvements suggested by end user and reported back to the Plant Protection GIS/LI team members to improve upon business, data collection, and data management processes.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
A bachelor’s degree in cartography, geography, photogrammetry, geographic information systems, computer sciences, remote sensing, land survey, civil engineering, natural resources, or closely related field that includes at least one course in cartography and one course in computer sciences or geographic information systems.
One college level course in cartography AND One college level course in either computer sciences or geographic information systems AND any combination of four years of:
- related undergraduate college education
- full-time experience in technical cartographic or geographic information systems production will substitute for the Bachelor's degree.
- AT least 1 year of experience with ArcPro and ArcGIS Online with proficiency in feature service data management, field maps, survey 123, and storymap creation and editing.
- At least 1 year of experience working on geospatial projects.
- Experience with writing custom ArcGIS-based Python scripts or Model Builder
- An interest and experience with natural resources, agriculture or state level invasive surveys.
- Experience with web and mobile data applications editing using Javascript and HTML scripting languages.
- At least 1 year of experience with ArcGIS Python objects and ArcGIS model builder to aid in spatial analysis and data management.
- Experience with federal data management standards and data transmission Certified UAS pilot and/or drone experience.
Supplemental Information
You must complete your careers.wa.gov profile and answer the supplemental questions. In addition to completing the online application, and supplemental questions applicants must attach the following documents to their profile to be considered for this position:
Current resume detailing experience and education- A cover letter describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position.
- Three professional references
By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed.
Applications with comments "see attachments" will be considered incomplete.
If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email support@neogov.com.
The initial screening will be solely based on the contents and completeness of your application and the materials submitted. All information may be verified, and documentation may be required. Applications received via e-mail will not be accepted in lieu of applying through the state's on-line recruitment system.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
We believe in the importance of recognizing the value each of us contribute to the success of the agency mission. Having a diverse workforce is this agency's greatest resource of strength and knowledge. It is through the combination of talents and abilities that we can pursue finding effective measures to provide the best customer service. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace for everyone and we strongly mean everyone.
Contact Us
Prior to a new appointment into the Department of Agriculture, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
The Human Resources Division may use referrals from this recruitment to help fill future similar vacancies for up to six months.
Veteran's Preference: Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214, or other verification of military service. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers. For additional information on Veteran's Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here.
Persons with a disability, who need assistance with their application or need this announcement in an alternative format, may call 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.