GIS Intern

Commonwealth of Massachusetts • Boston, MA

5h

About The Position

The Executive Office of Technology Services and Security (EOTSS) is the lead enterprise technology organization for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Charged with driving the ongoing alignment of business and technology across the Commonwealth’s Executive Branch, EOTSS oversees and manages the enterprise technology, digital infrastructure and services, as well as the Commonwealth Security Operations Center and an enterprise Standard Operating Environment that includes an information security and risk management framework for over 125 state agencies and over 43,000 state employees. We directly serve our constituents by providing digital services and tools that enable taxpayers, drivers, businesses, visitors, families and other citizens to do business with the Commonwealth in a way that makes every interaction with government easier, faster, and more secure.
Our Mission: We provide technology leadership across the Commonwealth to enhance the quality of public service and foster positive community outcomes.
Job Summary:
EOTSS’s Bureau of Geographic Information Services (more commonly known as MassGIS), is responsible for developing, maintaining, and distributing the Commonwealth’s geospatial information. MassGIS makes that information available through web mapping services and through download from its web site. MassGIS also provides mapping and spatial analysis services to support operational and policy needs of the Commonwealth; fosters cooperative development of map information among local, state, regional and federal government agencies in order to improve the quality, access, cost-effectiveness and utility of geographical information as a strategic resource for the state; and provides technical assistance to political subdivisions of the Commonwealth in developing and accessing spatial data and related technologies. MassGIS also coordinates GIS activities in state and local government, and throughout the geospatial community across the Commonwealth, as well as setting GIS data standards for Massachusetts public bodies.
Project work for the first GIS intern will involve enhancing MassGIS’ Master Address Database (MAD), which is used for 9-1-1 response and planning statewide. Using Structured Query Language (SQL), a robust Quality Assurance (QA) routine of over 100 checks has been developed. This routine helps assure the accuracy of the contents of the MAD and is used to maintain relationships between different datasets in the MAD. There are also seven auxiliary QA checks that, unlike the main tabular checks, use spatial SQL. After proper training, the project will consist of editing within the live production database. Project work will include fixing issues in dozens of the tabular QA checks and in a handful of the spatial QA checks, as well as providing enhancements to the MAD beyond QA work. Some outreach to data providers at the local government level will also be required.
Project work for the second GIS intern will involve improving communications with the MassGIS data providers and users. We have a need to communicate more effectively with the entire geospatial community in Massachusetts. We have no means or method for doing that now. We also have a need to communicate with segments of that larger population about particular technical matters related to specific data sets or other issues. Project work will include research of existing communication tools, such as Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools, available to us through EOTSS and other state agencies, as well as tools in use by other states that have similar needs. Project work will also include development of a strategy and implementation plan for improving MassGIS's ability to communicate with our geospatial constituency. It is likely that some implementation work will also be included, such as populating a CRM tool with existing and updated contacts, as well as creating modernized communication templates.

Requirements

• Logical and efficient
• Detail oriented
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Self-motivated

Nice To Haves

• Intern #1 - At least 2 semester-long courses in GIS with at least 1 of those courses providing experience in ESRI’s ArcGIS desktop software
• Intern #1 - Experience in using ArcGIS Online
• Intern #1 - Experience building custom maps
• Intern #2 – At least 2 semester-long courses in communications with at least 1 of those courses focused on digital content creation, social media management, customer relationships, and/or data analysis
• Intern #2 – Experience with communications planning and strategy

Benefits

• Comprehensive Benefits
• When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.
• Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed