Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Coordinator

City of Sunnyvale, CA•Sunnyvale, CA

35d

About The Position

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Coordinator Regular, Full-Time Employment Opportunity The position opens Monday, November 24, 2025, and the final filing date is Monday, January 12, 2026, at 5:00pm. Are you ready to take your GIS leadership to new heights? Ready to lead the establishment of a service-oriented GIS program in a fast-paced environment, juggling multiple project priorities and operational needs while building a GIS team? We're on the lookout for a dynamic, knowledgeable, skilled and experienced hands-on GIS leader to join our innovative team. In this position, you will play a pivotal role in our organization by guiding the management, maintenance, growth and direction of the City's GIS platforms and other geodata sets. With your unique skills, you will lead the growth of the City's GIS program, overseeing GIS layers for public safety, utilities and public works asset management, permitting, and more. The incumbent will interact with City management and end-users. The ideal candidate will demonstrate exceptional ability to effectively communicate with staff, consultants, contractors, and other city stakeholders. The position reports to the Applications and Analytics division manager in Information Technology Department (ITD) and manages the enterprise GIS environment, providing GIS-based solutions to City departments from start to finish, including the design, development, implementation and maintenance of geospatial applications from concept through requirements definition, design, and implementation with several small and large projects already in the pipeline. City of Sunnyvale Benefits: CalPERS retirement pension Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits Retiree medical benefit 11 paid Holidays 30 hours of Floating Holidays (Prorated based on date of hire) Paid Time Off (PTO) accruals Employee Wellness Programs Under general direction of an Information Technology Manager, supervises, coordinates, monitors, and supports a City-wide Geographic Information System (GIS) program and oversees GIS functions; develops, coordinates, implements, maintains GIS including layers, tables and system interfaces; manages GIS Service Level Agreements (SLAs); participates in and/or manages GIS projects to include schedule and resource planning; recommends hardware, software and staffing requirements for GIS; supervises the work of GIS staff; and performs related work as required. revises, improves, updates, and maintains existing map and data layers; participates in or manages mapping processes, upgrades, and implementation projects; provides training and technical support to technical staff and end users; closely coordinates and works with departmental managers, mapping data owners, end-users, public officials, the public, vendors, and project teams; executes GIS components of the Information Technology Strategic Plan; assists in the development and management of the unit's performance measures and budget; supervises and manages staff within the unit; operates as the subject matter expert; and performs other duties as assigned. DISINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS The GIS Coordinator is the highest level in the classification series. The classification of GIS Coordinator is distinguished from the higher-level Information Technology Manager in that the Information Technology Manager is responsible for the overall administration of the division. This classification is further distinguished from the lower-level GIS Specialist II in that the GIS Coordinator is responsible for overseeing the City-wide Geographic Information System (GIS) program and GIS functions. Coaches the assigned staff on the most complex GIS operational and project tasks and has full supervisory responsibility for GIS staff. (May include, but are not limited to, the following): Supervises assigned GIS staff; provides mentorship, guidance and direction; prepares and delivers evaluations of assigned staff. Assists in the development and implementation of department and unit goals, objectives policies and procedures and align with staff goals. Supervises the planning, development, maintenance, and administration of GIS layers/data elements, enforcing standards. Oversees the planning, design, and integration of various sources of City Data, including raster, vector and attribute databases residing on multiple platforms. Directs the digitizing and drafting of land management and cartographic data. Coordinates the development, maintenance, and scheduling updates of the GIS base map in conjunction with all other land-based systems and/or files in the City. Represents the City on cross-departmental or external partnership committees and is the liaison for data sharing between the City and other agencies. Leads and performs the installation, upgrade and support of geographic and graphical systems including, database and scripting activities, geographic analysis, and reporting solutions accordance with the IT Service Level Agreement (SLA). Completes service requests in a timely manner and provides support to end users, assigns service requests, incidents and problem tickets to team members. Communicates effectively with internal clients and vendors to identify needs and evaluate alternative business solutions. Ensures all GIS infrastructure, systems, and data are kept current on security patches and upgrades. Develops contract specifications, coordinates services, and monitors terms and agreements provided by vendors and independent contractors. Develops and executes project plans based on standard Project Management guidelines and leads or participates in projects according to the plan, to include carrying out the IT Strategic Plan (ITSP). Maintains and assists staff with documentation, development, coding, testing, debugging, interfaces, ETL (extract, transform and load) processes, reporting and other mapping systems. May report to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for GIS-related support. Participates in the selection of staff; provides or coordinates staff training; motivates staff and manages effective teams. Participates in budget preparation and administration for projects, operations or technology investments; monitors and controls expenditures. WORKING CONDITIONS Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting and stooping in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement and fine coordination in using a computer keyboard. Additionally, the position requires near and far vision in reading reports and work-related documents and using a computer. Acute hearing is required when providing phone and personal customer service. The need to lift, drag and push equipment and materials weighing up to 50 pounds is also required. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodation.Education and Experience: The minimum qualifications for education and experience can be met in one of the following ways: A Bachelor's degree or four years of full-time post-secondary education from an accredited college or university with concentration in Geographic Information Systems, Engineering, Computer Science, Management Information Systems, Mathematics, Geography, Cartography, Urban Planning, Environmental Science or closely related field; AND seven years of GIS technical or supervisory professional experience. An Associate's degree or have completed 60 semester or 90 quarter units at an accredited college or university in Geographic Information Systems, Engineering, Computer Science, Management Information Systems, Mathematics, Geography, Cartography, Urban Planning, Environmental Science or closely related field; AND ten years of GIS technical and/or supervisory professional experience. A Technology Certificate from an accredited college or trade school as a GIS Technologist or GIS Specialist; AND ten years of GIS technical and/or GIS supervisory professional experience. A GISP certification from a GIS Certification Institute; AND ten years of GIS technical and/or supervisory professional experience An ESRI Technical certification; AND twelve years of GIS technical and/or supervisory professional experience NOTE: A Mater's of Science degree in Geographic Information Systems, Computer Science, Urban Planning, or related field may be substituted for one year of experience. Knowledge of: Principles and practices of excellent customer service. Principles and practices of budget monitoring. Principles and practices of supervision, training and performance evaluation. Methods and techniques to motivate staff and manage effective teams. Applicable industry and safety codes and standards. Cybersecurity practices and procedures. Principles of project management. Multitier software architecture as applied to GIS. Basic Local Area Network (LAN), wireless, and Wide Area Network (WAN) technology. Broad range of GIS products, techniques, procedures and concepts. ESRI mapping and analytical products. Database design principles as applicable to geospatial databases. Microsoft operating systems and software especially Microsoft SQL Server, Window Server and Web Server (IIS). Various programming and scripting languages used in GIS desktop and web applications (e.g., (dot)NET and Python). Designing and implementing web services. Object oriented programming methods and techniques. Smart client and mobile application development. Principles and practices of supervision, training and performance evaluation. Principles and practices of budget monitoring. Principles and practices of safety management. Pertinent local, State and Federal laws, ordinances and rules. Ability to: Provide excellent customer service. Supervise, coach, guide and mentor team members. Communicate effectively, orally and in writing. Apply business analysis principles to service requests for GIS and mapping requests and analyze service requests over time for patterns. Plan and execute the goals of the GIS program along with the Information Technology Strategic Plan (ITSP). Effectively analyze data and develop logical solutions to GIS problems. Effectively analyze and troubleshoot system problems, propose and implement solutions. Coordinate a wide variety of information technology projects, focusing on GIS. Design, develop and implement visual and graphical representations, or story maps. Design, develop and implement GIS related workflows. Lead project teams with staff from IT and other departments to implement GIS solutions. Assist IT Management to establish and enhance GIS standards and policies. Consistently execute GIS projects and implement GIS solutions within the established standards. Establish, maintain, and promote positive and effective working relationships with employees, other agencies and the public. Effectively organize, prioritize, follow-up, and use good judgment on work assignments to meet established deadlines. Develop and maintain technical system documentation and GIS-related documentation. Develop and provide training materials for end users and other technical staff. Assist in contract development, negotiations, and manage vendor performance. Willingness to: Provide emergency response to reduce downtime, this may include correcting errors or monitoring vendor activity surrounding critical system failures, off-hours scheduled maintenance downtime, or working on call as scheduled and/or as needed. Provide services in different geographical locations throughout the City as requested by users or needed. Licenses/Certificates: Possession at time of hire and continued maintenance of a valid California driver's license and a safe driving record, or the ability to provide alternate transportation which is approved by the appointing authority.

Requirements

A Bachelor's degree or four years of full-time post-secondary education from an accredited college or university with concentration in Geographic Information Systems, Engineering, Computer Science, Management Information Systems, Mathematics, Geography, Cartography, Urban Planning, Environmental Science or closely related field; AND seven years of GIS technical or supervisory professional experience.
An Associate's degree or have completed 60 semester or 90 quarter units at an accredited college or university in Geographic Information Systems, Engineering, Computer Science, Management Information Systems, Mathematics, Geography, Cartography, Urban Planning, Environmental Science or closely related field; AND ten years of GIS technical and/or supervisory professional experience.
A Technology Certificate from an accredited college or trade school as a GIS Technologist or GIS Specialist; AND ten years of GIS technical and/or GIS supervisory professional experience.
A GISP certification from a GIS Certification Institute; AND ten years of GIS technical and/or supervisory professional experience
An ESRI Technical certification; AND twelve years of GIS technical and/or supervisory professional experience
Principles and practices of excellent customer service.
Principles and practices of budget monitoring.
Principles and practices of supervision, training and performance evaluation.
Methods and techniques to motivate staff and manage effective teams.
Applicable industry and safety codes and standards.
Cybersecurity practices and procedures.
Principles of project management.
Multitier software architecture as applied to GIS.
Basic Local Area Network (LAN), wireless, and Wide Area Network (WAN) technology.
Broad range of GIS products, techniques, procedures and concepts.
ESRI mapping and analytical products.
Database design principles as applicable to geospatial databases.
Microsoft operating systems and software especially Microsoft SQL Server, Window Server and Web Server (IIS).
Various programming and scripting languages used in GIS desktop and web applications (e.g., (dot)NET and Python).
Designing and implementing web services.
Object oriented programming methods and techniques.
Smart client and mobile application development.
Principles and practices of supervision, training and performance evaluation.
Principles and practices of budget monitoring.
Principles and practices of safety management.
Pertinent local, State and Federal laws, ordinances and rules.
Provide excellent customer service.
Supervise, coach, guide and mentor team members.
Communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
Apply business analysis principles to service requests for GIS and mapping requests and analyze service requests over time for patterns.
Plan and execute the goals of the GIS program along with the Information Technology Strategic Plan (ITSP).
Effectively analyze data and develop logical solutions to GIS problems.
Effectively analyze and troubleshoot system problems, propose and implement solutions.
Coordinate a wide variety of information technology projects, focusing on GIS.
Design, develop and implement visual and graphical representations, or story maps.
Design, develop and implement GIS related workflows.
Lead project teams with staff from IT and other departments to implement GIS solutions. Assist IT Management to establish and enhance GIS standards and policies.
Consistently execute GIS projects and implement GIS solutions within the established standards.
Establish, maintain, and promote positive and effective working relationships with employees, other agencies and the public.
Effectively organize, prioritize, follow-up, and use good judgment on work assignments to meet established deadlines.
Develop and maintain technical system documentation and GIS-related documentation.
Develop and provide training materials for end users and other technical staff.
Assist in contract development, negotiations, and manage vendor performance.
Provide emergency response to reduce downtime, this may include correcting errors or monitoring vendor activity surrounding critical system failures, off-hours scheduled maintenance downtime, or working on call as scheduled and/or as needed.
Provide services in different geographical locations throughout the City as requested by users or needed.
Possession at time of hire and continued maintenance of a valid California driver's license and a safe driving record, or the ability to provide alternate transportation which is approved by the appointing authority.

Nice To Haves

Public sector experience.
Experience developing or implementing a GIS system.
Possession of Certified Business Analyst Professional (CBAP).
Possession of Information Technology Information Library (ITIL) certification.
Possession of GISP certification.

Responsibilities

Supervises assigned GIS staff; provides mentorship, guidance and direction; prepares and delivers evaluations of assigned staff.
Assists in the development and implementation of department and unit goals, objectives policies and procedures and align with staff goals.
Supervises the planning, development, maintenance, and administration of GIS layers/data elements, enforcing standards.
Oversees the planning, design, and integration of various sources of City Data, including raster, vector and attribute databases residing on multiple platforms.
Directs the digitizing and drafting of land management and cartographic data.
Coordinates the development, maintenance, and scheduling updates of the GIS base map in conjunction with all other land-based systems and/or files in the City.
Represents the City on cross-departmental or external partnership committees and is the liaison for data sharing between the City and other agencies.
Leads and performs the installation, upgrade and support of geographic and graphical systems including, database and scripting activities, geographic analysis, and reporting solutions accordance with the IT Service Level Agreement (SLA).
Completes service requests in a timely manner and provides support to end users, assigns service requests, incidents and problem tickets to team members.
Communicates effectively with internal clients and vendors to identify needs and evaluate alternative business solutions.
Ensures all GIS infrastructure, systems, and data are kept current on security patches and upgrades.
Develops contract specifications, coordinates services, and monitors terms and agreements provided by vendors and independent contractors.
Develops and executes project plans based on standard Project Management guidelines and leads or participates in projects according to the plan, to include carrying out the IT Strategic Plan (ITSP).
Maintains and assists staff with documentation, development, coding, testing, debugging, interfaces, ETL (extract, transform and load) processes, reporting and other mapping systems.
May report to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for GIS-related support.
Participates in the selection of staff; provides or coordinates staff training; motivates staff and manages effective teams.
Participates in budget preparation and administration for projects, operations or technology investments; monitors and controls expenditures.