Utility GIS Specialist

Corning Natural Gas Corporation•Corning, NY

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Utility GIS Specialist is the primary technical resource for ESRI-based geographic information systems supporting natural gas and electric distribution operations at Corning Natural Gas Corporation (CNG), Pike County Light & Power Company (PCLP), and Leatherstocking Gas Company (LGC). The Specialist creates, validates, and maintains accurate GIS mapping and asset records using GPS/GNSS surveys, as-built records, engineering drawings, field inspections, work orders, and other approved sources. The role establishes enterprise-wide data standards, editing procedures, and quality-control workflows while preserving each company’s separate records, data models, permissions, ownership, and regulatory requirements. The Specialist works with Engineering, Gas Operations, Electric Operations, Information Technology, contractors, and consultants to support construction, operations, asset management, regulatory reporting, emergency response, damage prevention, and system planning. The position administers GIS datasets, geodatabases, map services, and applications; processes field and construction records; performs quality assurance; coordinates system integrations and technical improvements; produces operational and regulatory maps; and provides user guidance and training. The position is primarily office-based, with periodic travel and field visits to company facilities, construction sites, and service territories. It requires prolonged sitting and computer work as well as field activity that may include standing, walking, climbing, crouching, operating assigned equipment, and lifting up to 50 pounds. Field conditions may include outdoor weather, traffic and construction hazards, loud noise, and exposure to natural gas or electric utility environments. Compliance with safety rules, personal protective equipment requirements, and safe-driving practices is required.

Requirements

Associate’s degree in GIS, geomatics, surveying technology, engineering technology, CAD, or a related discipline; an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
At least two years of full-time GIS experience using ESRI software.
Demonstrated proficiency with ESRI ArcGIS, including ArcGIS Pro, and managing spatial databases and published GIS content.
Working knowledge of GPS/GNSS data collection, coordinate reference systems, positional accuracy, metadata, and spatial data processing.
Knowledge of natural gas and electric distribution systems, utility asset mapping, and construction documentation.
Ability to administer multiple company GIS environments, maintain data ownership and access controls, and establish standards, procedures, and quality-control workflows.
Ability to interpret construction drawings, as-builts, survey information, utility plans, and easements, and investigate and resolve discrepancies, including connectivity and topology issues.
Ability to work independently, prioritize competing requests, and meet deadlines, with strong organization, analytical judgment, and attention to detail.
Effective written and verbal communication skills, including explaining technical matters to field personnel, engineers, contractors, and management.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and familiarity with Autodesk or other CAD software.
Ability to apply Company policies and safety, cybersecurity, records, and regulatory requirements.
Valid driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

Experience with GPS/GNSS data collection.
Experience with ArcGIS Pro and ESRI mobile field applications.
Experience with utility mapping or asset records.
Experience with natural gas or electric distribution systems.
Experience supporting multiple operating companies or service territories.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary point of contact and technical lead for ESRI GIS data maintenance and mapping for CNG, PCLP, and LGC gas and electric distribution systems.
Administer each company’s GIS datasets, geodatabases, map services, and applications while applying appropriate enterprise standards and preserving company-specific data models, permissions, ownership, and regulatory requirements.
Maintain accurate spatial locations and attributes for gas and electric facilities, and organize related records such as as-built drawings, work orders, easements, real estate records, and inspection records.
Reconcile discrepancies among GIS records, CAD mapping, field conditions, and source documents, and identify opportunities to improve legacy records.
Maintain version control, change tracking, backups, access controls, and documentation in accordance with Company procedures.
Coordinate, process, validate, and maintain GPS/GNSS data for existing and newly installed facilities; establish and follow standards for coordinate systems, positional accuracy, collection methods, metadata, and field documentation.
Evaluate field data for completeness and accuracy before incorporating it into the appropriate company GIS, resolve discrepancies, and maintain traceable survey records for facility changes.
Review, process, and incorporate work orders, construction records, as-built drawings, and GPS/GNSS data into the correct company GIS environment.
Establish workflows for processing completed projects, verify required attributes and records, track outstanding as-built information, and follow up or escalate incomplete, late, or conflicting records.
Produce GIS-based construction drawings, exhibits, and data products for capital projects, system improvements, maintenance, and facility relocations.
Perform routine quality-control reviews for spatial accuracy, attribute completeness, duplicates, connectivity, topology, and data-model consistency.
Maintain documented editing, review, validation, correction, and publication procedures, including records of data sources, known limitations, unresolved discrepancies, and company-specific exceptions.
Protect GIS information through user-access, data-security, record-retention, backup, and change-management requirements.
Coordinate approved data exchanges and integrations with work management, asset management, customer information, outage management, inspection, and mobile field systems.
Identify workflow improvements using ESRI tools, automation, mobile data collection, and dashboards; coordinate with Information Technology, vendors, and consultants on upgrades, licensing, data conversion, cybersecurity, and technical support.
Produce maps, map books, exhibits, and data extracts for facility locating, UDig New York and Pennsylvania One Call activities, third-party design requests, engineering, construction, operations, and maintenance.
Create and maintain maps, inspection forms, mobile applications, and records for leakage, valve, corrosion, regulator station, electric inspection, and other maintenance programs as applicable.
Prepare GIS information for emergency response, outage and incident support, system planning, asset management, risk assessment, and regulatory reporting; keep operational and regulatory GIS records current and supportive of applicable requirements.
Coordinate GIS work for capital projects, system improvements, asset inventories, data conversions, and GPS surveys across the three companies.
Review contractor and consultant GIS deliverables for compliance with Company specifications, data standards, and required formats.
Work with departments to set priorities, resolve data issues, meet deadlines, and fulfill map and data requests.
Provide technical guidance and training to GIS and mobile application users.
Perform other GIS, mapping, and related technical duties as assigned.