Senior GIS Data Specialist

SUMMARY

The Senior GIS Data Specialist serves as a technical leader responsible for designing, implementing, securing, and maintaining complex geospatial and alphanumeric data systems across both on-premises and cloud environments. This role supports nationwide GIS operations and plays a critical part in managing enterprise geodatabases, optimizing database performance, and ensuring seamless data integration and availability. The Senior GIS Data Specialist collaborates closely with multidisciplinary teams to develop scalable solutions that improve data accessibility and support advanced spatial analysis and business intelligence efforts. This position demands strong analytical skills, deep expertise in geospatial technologies, and the ability to innovate and enhance GIS functionalities to meet evolving organizational needs.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
Salary Range: $70,000 - $85,000
Comprehensive federal benefits package available to full-time employees, including health insurance, paid time off, and retirement plan participation.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Developing, documenting, implementing, securing, and maintaining geospatial and alphanumeric data models and databases in RDBMS in both on-premises and cloud environments.
• Supporting the Development, Maintenance, and Operations of Enterprise Geodatabases and associated SQL Server or Postgres Instances.
• Creating functional specifications and recommending solutions for alphanumeric and geospatial data systems.
• Developing and maintaining databases and data systems, reorganizing data in a readable format; using automated tools for data extraction, repair, and coding error fixes.
• Defining database physical structure, functional capabilities, and current/future storage requirements.
• Developing and documenting appropriate metadata records (business, technical, process, operational).
• Developing and maintaining enterprise data architecture to support business requirements.
• Developing and implementing physical data models for both tabular and geospatial data systems and reverse engineering physical databases.
• Monitoring and optimizing database(s) performance and user access, planning for backup and restoration/recovery of database information, and managing/monitoring data replication.
• Publishing geospatial web services to support feature service editing workflows and branch versioning.
• Configuring Enterprise Geodatabases and web services to support various workflows.
• Maintaining database and instance performance by calculating optimum values for database parameters.
• Implementing new releases and completing maintenance requirements.
• Documenting and developing processes to better align with security best practices and support Authority to Operate (ATO) development.
• Possessing familiarity with, and willingness to learn, unstructured and NoSQL data patterns (e.g., graph databases, JSON document and key-value stores).
• Implementing and monitoring applicable security controls as defined by the applicable Security Technical Implementation Guide (STIG) under IT Security Officer direction.
• Providing input to Plan of Action and Milestones (POAM) for non-compliant ATO boundary checks related to SQL databases.
• Responding to and remediating security alerts concerning administered databases instances.
• Providing examples of designing and implementing scalable GIS solutions that integrate with enterprise systems.
• Demonstrating a proven ability to innovate and enhance GIS functionalities.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Senior level: Possesses and applies comprehensive knowledge across key tasks and high impact assignments.
• Plans and leads major technology assignments.
• Evaluates performance results and recommends major changes affecting project growth and success.
• Functions as a technical expert across multiple project assignments. May supervise others.
• Expertise in Structured Query Language (SQL) and database procedural code such as T-SQL.
• Expertise in managing and administering spatial data in geodatabases and associated editing workflows.
• Experience with publishing and management of geospatial web service-based editing workflows using ArcGIS Enterprise, PostGRE/GIS, and Geoserver.
• Experience with database instance management, configuration, and disaster recovery for spatial and alphanumeric data.
• Experience with or willingness to learn how to leverage cloud data storage, processing, and analytics in Microsoft Azure or Amazon Web Services (AWS).
• Strong understanding and ability to plan and design modern databases and data structures, including geospatial.
• Technically savvy, and willing to learn new technologies.
• Strong analytical and time management skills.
• Experience with computer programming, distributed systems, database design and administration.
• Attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Self-motivated and able to handle tasks with minimal supervision or questions.
• Ability to deliver a high level of customer service.
• Experience in managing GIS databases and developing web services for GIS applications, including data integration and visualization.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Geography, Geospatial Science, Computer Science, Environmental Science, or a closely related technical field is required; a Master’s degree is strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in enterprise-level GIS data development, geospatial database management, and spatial data analysis.
• Extensive hands-on experience designing, implementing, and optimizing enterprise geodatabases, including Microsoft SQL Server, PostgreSQL/PostGIS, or similar platforms.
• Proven experience publishing and managing geospatial web services (e.g., ArcGIS Enterprise, ArcGIS Online, or open-source solutions such as GeoServer) to support editing workflows and data sharing.
• Demonstrated expertise developing and maintaining complex geospatial data models and supporting data integration with other enterprise systems.
• Experience working with cloud-based GIS architectures and services (e.g., AWS, Azure) and understanding best practices for secure, scalable data solutions.
• Background in implementing data governance, metadata standards, and compliance practices for geospatial data.
• Relevant advanced certifications such as Esri Technical Certification, GISP (Certified GIS Professional), or similar credentials are highly desirable and may substitute for some experience..

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

• Supervision may be required for this position. 
• As a Senior level personnel, this position may provide oversight of others.

 WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Work can be performed at the contractor's facility or at the National Park Service (NPS) facility at Building 50, Denver Federal Center, Lakewood, CO 80225.
• Remote work is allowed with COR or task inspector approval.

Our Values:

Native American Owned & Proud | Accountable | Team Focused | Innovative | Visionary | Excellence

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Frequently required to sit, talk, and use hands to operate equipment.
• Occasionally required to lift objects up to 25 pounds.
• Requires close vision, distance vision, and the ability to focus for extended periods.

AAP/EEO Statement

Ho-Chunk, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. However, preference may be extended to persons of Indian descent in accordance with applicable laws.