GIS Specialist

Southeastern Electric Cooperative•Lennox, SD

just now•Onsite

About The Position

The GIS Specialist maintains the Geographic Information System (GIS) and uses associated software packages and operating systems (including ESRI, NISC CIS, NISC ABS, NISC OMS, NISC Vault, NISC Service, NISC Financials, NISC Mapping and Staking and AutoCAD) to ensure the accuracy and currency of electrical system drawings, engineering model, associated databases, connectivity, and geographical backgrounds. This role involves maintaining an intimate knowledge of GIS and related software to provide accurate and current electrical facility, geographical, and land base information for all departments. The specialist ensures timely provision of diagrams, drawings, and reports, and properly enters information related to service and work order processes into GIS, accounting, and information systems. They assist in system planning and operational studies by providing updated electric distribution system models to consulting engineers and incorporating results into engineering software. The position also involves maintaining data on electrical distribution system poles, lines, and equipment, generating related reports, and staying informed about RUS specifications, electrical distribution systems, and changes affecting the electric system model and geographical/land base information. Coordination of data import/export with various external agencies and internal departments is also a key function, along with maintaining and upgrading computer software and hardware for mapping, staying abreast of industry trends, making recommendations to the GIS Services Supervisor, reporting irregularities, and assisting with training.

Requirements

A degree in Geographical Information Systems, Cartography, Mapping or related field; or four years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Knowledge of the applicable GIS and associated software packages, Microsoft suite of software packages and any other software packages specific to the duties and responsibilities of this position, such as the Cooperative’s accounting and customer service software packages.
Knowledge of RUS specifications for overhead and underground construction, the National Electrical Safety Code, OSHA regulations and local and state codes.
Knowledge of distribution system and service area along with the various types of electrical distribution equipment in use.

Nice To Haves

Additional education or training related to computer-aided design and/or automated mapping and the fundamentals of electricity is desirable.

Responsibilities

Maintains an intimate knowledge of GIS and associated software packages and operating systems to insure that all updates and corrections are done in a timely manner to provide electrical facility, geographical, and land base information for all departments that is accurate and current.
Insures that all diagrams, drawings, and reports generated from the GIS and associated software packages are provided to others as needed in a timely manner.
Performs all work required in the GIS area to insure that information relating to the service order and work order processes is properly entered into the GIS, accounting and information systems.
Assists in the preparation of system planning and operational studies by providing the consulting engineers with an updated electric distribution system model to be used in performing engineering analyses and incorporating the results into the engineering software.
Uses the GIS and associated software packages to maintain all pertinent size, type, assembly, configuration, joint use and maintenance data on electrical distribution system poles, lines and equipment and generates related reports as needed.
Maintains knowledge of RUS specifications for overhead and underground construction as well as various types of electrical distribution equipment.
Maintains knowledge of electrical distribution systems in order to determine the direction of feed, open points and phasing.
Stays abreast of changes that affect the electric system model (such as new construction, line conversions, maintenance programs, switching operations, phase changes, etc.) by reviewing the Long Range Engineering Plan, Construction Work Plan, Annual Work Plan, work order activity, and corresponding with appropriate personnel.
Stays abreast of changes that affect the geographical and land base information including but not limited to highways, roads, lakes, rivers, creeks, wetlands, city limits, town limits, district lines, tax districts, service territories, easements, board districts, property lines, and developments by corresponding with the appropriate personnel and outside agencies.
Coordinates the importing and exporting of data to and from the GIS and associated software packages to facilitate the sharing of information with SD One Call, SD Public Utilities Commission, county governments, cities, towns, developers, police departments, fire departments, and other utilities as needed.
Works in conjunction with the appropriate departments, personnel, and vendors to insure that all computer software and hardware used for mapping is maintained and upgraded as needed.
Keeps informed regarding trends and developments in area of responsibility.
Participates in seminars, training programs, and trade meetings.
Makes recommendations to the GIS Services Supervisor related to operations and engineering aspects, equipment, and needs.
Reports irregularities and abnormalities in the GIS in a timely manner.
Assists with the training of GIS and associated software packages in order to help define needs and develop additional applications.
Possesses a good command of the English language.