GIS Specialist

Southeastern Electric Cooperative•Lennox, SD

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Maintains the Geographic Information System (GIS) and uses the 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 insure that the electrical system drawings, engineering model, associated databases, connectivity and geographical backgrounds are accurate and current. This role involves maintaining an intimate knowledge of GIS and associated software packages to ensure timely updates and corrections, providing accurate electrical facility, geographical, and land base information to all departments. The specialist will ensure that diagrams, drawings, and reports generated from the GIS are provided as needed and will perform all work required in the GIS area to ensure information relating to service orders and work orders is properly entered into the GIS, accounting, and information systems. Additionally, the role assists in preparing system planning and operational studies by providing an updated electric distribution system model for engineering analyses and incorporates the results into engineering software. The GIS Specialist will maintain data on electrical distribution system components and generate related reports, staying abreast of changes affecting the electric system model and geographical/land base information. This position also coordinates data import/export with various external agencies and utilities, works with departments to maintain and upgrade mapping hardware and software, and stays informed about industry trends. Recommendations for operations and engineering aspects are made to the GIS Services Supervisor, and irregularities in the GIS are reported promptly. The role also assists in training others on GIS and associated software packages to define needs and develop additional applications.

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.
Regularly required to sit.
Frequently required to talk or hear.
Occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
Must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

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.