GIS Coordinator

Position Title: GIS Coordinator

Department: Santa Clara Pueblo Forestry

Salary Grade: 39 Per Salary Code

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Position Summary

Incumbent works under the general supervision of the Forestry Department Director (supervisor). Responsible for the supervision of ten to fifty crew members at a time within the forestry department that includes the office manager. Technical duties include specifying scope of project, meeting objectives and deliverables of the funding grant(s).

This job description is illustrative only of the responsibilities performed by this position and is not all-inclusive.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Performs full range of administrative duties directing a GIS Program. Includes indirect supervision of project managers, crew bosses, technicians and office manager.


• Responsible for data collection, data processing, data development, and data analysis for all project activity relating to GIS mapping, spatial data analysis, and map production.


• Use GPS technology to identify features on the ground locations, navigation to waypoints, and to export and import data between Trimble GPS units to GIS databases.


• The successful candidate will have strong communication skills, including written reports, verbal updates, and public speaking.


• Responsible for data conversion from various GIS and CAD formats of differing map datums and coordinate projections


• Plans and coordinates the GIS program; collects associated mapping data utilizing GPS technology and national database sets.


• Evaluates adequacy, accuracy, and effectiveness of existing and collected data.


• Inspects compliance with established policies, standards, program objectives, and emphasis. Initiates corrective actions.


• Coordinates all GIS activities with professional forestry staff, the program director, other internal departments, and with outside agencies to satisfy data needs.


• Plans, coordinates, and conducts training and meetings on GIS technology.


• Submits monthly accomplishment and progress reports and keeps all personnel well informed on project progress and development.


• Tracks, purchases, and inspects all GIS equipment and maintains an adequate supply of needed computer hardware and software, and other needed equipment with a complete inventory of software, equipment, and supplies.


• Helps write successful proposals to get additional funding for future projects and activities under GIS and mapping projects.


• Aids with project ecological monitoring to ensure that good data is collected pre and post treatment.


• Coordinates with other Santa Clara departments on project activities and ensures that all other tribal considerations have been carefully recognized and have been considered with project planning.


• Coordinates with many outside agencies on project progress and accomplishments and on budgeting and funding issues.


• Works closely with a financial officer to ensure that project costs and expenses are being accurately tracked for bookkeeping purposes.


• GIS assignments involve the full range of duties concerned with timber stand improvement, reforestation, steam restoration, fuels reduction, forest pest detection and control, genetic tree improvement, ecological restoration, wildlife habitat, recreation, and administrative functions.


• Responsibilities include the development of GIS data and the expansion of existing data sets within a wide range of forest management applications including reforestation, soil typing, thinning projects, timber sales, environmental restoration, forest disease and insect outbreaks, fire suppression and timber stand improvement.


• The successful candidate must independently assess the effect and inter-relationship of the various economic and environmental variables and select, adapt, or otherwise modify conventional practices as required by the given assignments. The work requires considerable coordination with other natural resource staff and with specialists in other disciplines such as wildlife biologists, hydrologists, and landscape architects.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• A basic knowledge of stand conditions, environmental considerations, forest ecological interrelationships, silvicultural and growth characteristics of the major forest cover types found on the Santa Clara


• Knowledge of human relations and supervisory techniques to effectively relate to subordinates, peers, outside groups, and professional people from other agencies.


• Knowledge of traditional Tribal cultural forest use values to effectively provide or obtain information to/from the general population.


• Knowledge of the interrelationship of physical factors such as climate and soil, and biological factors such as plant and animal associations, genetics, fungi, and soil micro-organisms, and their various influences on the type and timing of cultural treatments necessary and appropriate to achieve multiple-use land management objectives.


• An in-depth knowledge of GIS and GPS technology and the ability to locate physical features on the ground and with digital mapping data.


• An in-depth knowledge of computer applications, computer networks, and advanced software understanding including Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Power point, Access, ArcView, ArcMap, ArcGIS, Arc INFO, CAD, GPS software suite, Pathfinder, and others.


• Good understanding of federal grant writing and budgeting; position will be involved in many grant submittals.

Minimum Qualifications

• A Bachelor degree in forestry, ecosystem management, or similar related field preferred but will consider a minimum of five years or more of GIS experience in lieu of a degree.


• Wildfires of experience and knowledge of fire behavior, weather and climatic variables, wildfire pre-suppression and suppression activities.


• 2-3 years of supervisory experience