Geographic Information Systems Specialist

The Position

GIS Specialists perform routine, intermediate, and journey-level Geographic Information System (GIS) work in support of water utility infrastructure and operations. The primary focus of the position is the review, assessment, and interpretation of water utility project drawings, including design plans and as-built documents, to accurately record and maintain water system assets within a GIS environment. Incumbents create, edit, and maintain geospatial data using ArcGIS Pro within a versioned ArcGIS Enterprise geodatabase, ensuring cartographically correct, reliable, and utility-ready map products.

Key responsibilities include interpreting engineering and construction drawings to graphically translate water utility project information into GIS features and attributes; performing GIS data entry, maintenance, and database updates for water distribution, transmission, and related facilities; conducting quality control and quality assurance to verify spatial accuracy, attribute completeness, and data integrity; and producing maps, reports, and GIS datasets to support planning, operations, maintenance, and regulatory needs.

GIS Specialists review and respond to map and data requests, develop efficient methods for generating requested products, and conduct GIS data and application research to streamline processes and support evolving water utility requirements.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate training and experience in GIS mapping and drafting related to water utility or civil infrastructure drawings, including water main alignments, valves, hydrants, meters, service connections, and associated facilities. Candidates should have experience maintaining GIS records and databases, performing detailed data entry, compiling and reviewing project drawings and records, and updating maps and asset data based on field changes and as-built documentation.

Successful candidates will be able to work independently on assigned projects or collaboratively as part of a team on larger water utility initiatives requiring coordinated map production and data management.

Some typical duties of the GIS Specialist include:

• Creating, maintaining, and editing geospatial data using ArcGIS Pro within an Enterprise GIS geodatabase for EBMUD-wide use. Geospatial data may include aqueducts, pipelines, facilities, valves, hydrants, water services, rights-of-way, properties, and boundaries.
• Reviewing, assessing, and interpreting pipeline, facility, and infrastructure drawings, including design plans and as-built documents, to accurately enter project information into the GIS.
• Understanding and applying pipeline stationing, construction notes, and engineering annotations from project drawings to ensure correct spatial placement and attribute population in GIS.
• Converting engineering drawings, CAD files, and other source data into GIS format while maintaining spatial accuracy, data integrity, and water system connectivity.
• Collecting proposed and as-built drawings and data from internal and external sources and entering this information into a versioned ArcGIS Enterprise geodatabase, ensuring accurate representation of water system assets.
• Performing GIS data maintenance, data entry, and database updates for water distribution, transmission, and related facilities.
• Conducting quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) using queries, topology rules, connectivity testing, and other GIS tools to verify spatial integrity, network connectivity, and data accuracy.
• Revising GIS data to correspond with plans submitted by engineers, contractors, and other agencies, and updating GIS records based on field observations and as-built documentation.
• Preparing, revising, and maintaining cartographically accurate maps in ArcGIS Pro in support of engineering, operations, planning, and maintenance activities, including supply and distribution systems, facilities, surveys, boundaries, and other water system information.
• Preparing and maintaining service area boundaries, including annexations and detachments and regulatory boundaries.
• Providing pipe location, facility, and asset information from GIS maps and drawings to EBMUD staff,…