What are the responsibilities and job description for the GIS Analyst position at City of Carlsbad, CA?

Salary : $90,313.60 - $109,886.40 Annually

Location : Carlsbad, CA

Job Type : Full-Time

Job Number : 2053-2025

Department : Information Technology

Division : Info Tech GIS

Opening Date : 02 / 10 / 2025

Closing Date : 3 / 2 / 2025 11 : 59 PM Pacific

The Position

About Carlsbad : Known for its financial stability, the city maintains an AAA credit rating and has a general fund reserve balance exceeding $136 million. The City of Carlsbad has long set the standard for high-quality local government services. At 115,000 residents, the city is home to corporate headquarters in the technology, life sciences and action sports industries, coupled with a thriving tourism market, well-planned neighborhoods and nearly 40 percent open space. The City of Carlsbad is a full-service coastal city with its own police and fire departments as well as a municipal water district.

The City of Carlsbad embraces diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and recognizes the vital relationship of a culturally diverse, engaged work environment and innovative excellence. A diverse, equitable and inclusive work climate comprises personal experiences, values, and views shaped from differences of culture and circumstance. Our organization appreciates belonging, creativity, recognition and retention of its employees and is committed to hiring and developing motivated, productive and talented employees who provide services and enhance our quality of life.

The Position : The primary purpose of the GIS Analyst position is to be the lead resource for the application of GIS technology to all city uses. The GIS Analyst sets up and manages complex projects involving GIS staff, city client staff, and IT resources, and produces advanced data products for all city clients.

The ideal candidate will have at least three years of experience in a GIS-centric role and possess the following qualities :

Skilled in managing project timelines, identifying roadblocks, and communicating challenges effectively.
A curious learner who proactively approaches challenges with a problem-solving mindset, demonstrating adaptability.
Capable of working independently while also thriving in a collaborative team environment.
Experienced in creating and maintaining web applications using GIS technologies.
Customer-focused, providing excellent service and addressing user needs with professionalism.

About Our Team : Our GIS team is a high-performing group with years of experience in delivering innovative solutions. We are committed to leveraging the latest technology to build cutting-edge, award-winning applications that enhance city operations and public services. Our team thrives on collaboration, problem-solving, and continuously pushing the boundaries of what GIS can achieve.

If you have a passion for GIS, a drive to innovate, and want to be part of a dynamic and experienced team, we encourage you to apply!

Key Responsibilities

Operates a GIS workstation to create and maintain the wide variety of spatial information contained in an enterprise GIS that supports city operations. Performs related technical duties in the development, implementation, operation and maintenance of the city's enterprise geographic information systems.

Under direction, creates simple graphic displays and maps for various departments' needs. Operates a variety of geographic information system input and output devices such as : scanners, printers, and large-format inkjet plotters.

Utilizes a variety of city systems to find and collect data for use in everyday work such as : Document Management System, Permit Processing System, and manual files. Researches and analyzes geographic and tabular data from public and private sources for integration into the city's enterprise GIS.

Within their work assignments, demonstrates an effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively to provide seamless and quality customer service.

Must be able to work under time constraints and deadlines, accomplish project tasks in cooperation with other employees.

Maintains and continually upgrades knowledge of GIS functionality, principles and practices. Attends and participates in local professional group meetings as required. Participates in online professional list serves and / or blogs. Stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of GIS, database design, and related hardware and software.

Maintains and enhances GIS data sets according to evolving needs and resources including : editing spatial data, conducting office and field research, creating, calculating and editing of attributes and merging of data from different sources.

Utilizes all available information systems to search for and collect data required for GIS related tasks. Converts data received from outside sources to make it available for future projects. Downloads data from other systems.

Under direction, collaborates with other GIS staff and various City departments to understand their geographic data needs, and generates standard and customized products from the GIS such as Web-based applications, hardcopy maps, digital graphics and reports for users in all City departments.

Under direction, assists in the maintenance of desktop GIS software; applies patches, and troubleshoots technical problems. Owns and responds to Service Desk tickets and gives problem solving assistance.

Utilizes Python, HTML and JavaScript to customize applications and automate GIS processes.

Assists in training City staff in the use of appropriate GIS applications.

Maintains documentation for administrative and record keeping purposes, system documentation and training materials, and adheres to change control and security procedures and protocols set by the Information Technology department.

Responds to public inquiries in a courteous and professional manner. Provides information within the area of assignment. Resolves complaints in an efficient and timely manner. Assists in monitoring, evaluating, and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures.

Performs complex geoprocessing and geospatial analysis, and designs and produces advanced cartographic products.

Acquires spatial information from diverse sources. Refines and manipulates data including the merging data from dissimilar sources. Documents data sets, applications and procedures.

Leads the collaboration with other GIS staff and various City departments to understand their geographic data needs and generates standard and customized products from the GIS such as Web-based applications, hardcopy maps, digital graphics and reports for users in all City departments.

Leads, in collaboration with the Associate GIS Systems Administrator, the maintenance of desktop GIS software; applies patches, and troubleshoots technical problems. Owns and responds to Service Desk tickets and gives problem solving assistance.

Leads the development of data quality and cartographic standards and helps define best practices for GIS operations. Makes recommendations on software acquisitions and configurations. Assists in the maintenance of GIS and related software systems.

Provides information, resources, support and assistance to users of GIS software and / or custom applications. Responds to inquiries and gives problem solving assistance.

Assists in training City staff in the use of GIS on an individual basis or in a classroom setting.

Qualifications

GIS concepts, including advanced techniques of geoprocessing and spatial analysis, and geographical concepts of location, scale, resolution and generalization.

Advanced knowledge and experience in the use of Esri software and extensions for visualization and analysis as well as publishing of Web services and deploying Web maps and applications.

Experienced in the various methods of data collection and in the sources of spatial data available and appropriate for use by local agencies.

Knowledge of the use of GPS receivers and the programming of data loggers to collect and post-process field data.

Be proficient in the use of standard hardware such as Windows workstations, scanners, digitizers, large format inkjet plotters, and office printers.

Able to write programs in Python and / or to automate GIS processes and customize interfaces.

General knowledge of municipal agency GIS uses, within planning, public works, parks and recreation, and public safety departments.

Map production; methods and techniques of conducting research and analyzing geographic and other related data.

Effective customer service practices.

Principles of project management to manage the technical aspects of departmental projects.

Pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes, and regulations.

Experience & Education

Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with course work in geography, planning, landscape architecture, civil engineering, natural resources, or computer science including coursework in GIS.

At least three years' experience using ESRI ArcGIS software in a municipal or related environment of diverse user needs. Experience in assessing client needs and translating them into GIS products and services.

At least four years of progressive experience designing, implementing, and maintaining GIS applications, along with substantial GIS project experience utilizing a wide range of GIS software tools and specialized extensions. Needs to know how to use one of several programming languages such as Python, HTML or JavaScript.

Physical Requirements :

Needs to be able to operate equipment and machinery with some requiring rapid adjustments such as a computer keyboard and terminal, digitizer, plotter, blue line printers, photocopier, calculator, drafting instruments, and engineer and architect scale. Must be able to coordinate eyes, hands, feet and limbs in performing skilled movements such as rapid keyboard use. Needs to be able to recognize and identify degrees of similarities or differences between characteristics of colors, textures, and forms associated with job related objects, materials, and tasks.

Must be able to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, typically involving lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling of up to 30 pounds. Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation.

Needs to be able to perform frequent downward flexion of neck, side-to-side turning of the neck, fine finger dexterity and grasp to manipulate the keyboard, telephone, writing instruments, papers, books, manuals, and reports.

Job entails occasional walking, standing, bending, stooping, climbing, reaching at and above shoulders and twisting at the waist. On an infrequent basis, the incumbent must be able to squat and kneel.

Work may involve occasional outdoor fieldwork. Overtime and attending meetings outside regular work hours may be required. Work environment is professional and team oriented. This position is impacted by urgent time deadlines due to various reporting and filing requirements. There is some repetitiveness in program coding, a need for extreme accuracy, and paying attention to detail. Additionally, there is a need to be able to shift attention before tasks are completed to be able to balance user demands, telephone and other interruptions.

Must be able to drive and maintain a California Class C Driver's License or ability to arrange transportation for fieldwork or visits to other city facilities when necessary.

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Flexible Spending Account

Life Insurance

Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance

Retirement under the CalPERS program, 2% @ 62 formula, Classic Members (those who are enrolled in CalPERS at another local agency) have the 2% @ 60 formula

Bilingual Pay

Holidays - 11 scheduled

Floating Holiday- 2

Paid vacation

Computer purchase loan

Tuition reimbursement

A detailed list of our benefits can be found here :

Additional CalPERS information can be found here :

Describe your experience using Esri's ArcGIS software in an enterprise local government or similar environment. Include the scale of your work (number of users, IT platforms), years of experience, types of GIS applications you've supported, and any specific workflows or processes you've been involved with in this setting.

What experience do you have with enterprise GIS activities, such as geodatabase versioning, GIS web services, and web applications? Provide examples of how you've implemented or managed these components in past projects, particularly in complex or large-scale systems.

How do you ensure data quality and integrity when editing GIS data attributes and geometry? Discuss your approach to maintaining geometric integrity and topology for points, lines, and polygons. Include specific tools, methods, or validation techniques you've used, particularly for correcting topology in feature classes.

Explain your experience in GIS data management and quality control across various projects. How do you approach data lifecycle management, quality assurance, and ensure that data is accurate, consistent, and usable for analysis or decision-making?

How have you utilized spatial analysis techniques in past projects? Please provide an example where your analysis led to actionable insights for a government or public sector initiative.

Detail how you've used these tools to streamline workflows, automate tasks, or support GIS applications. Please provide examples of projects where these tools were key to success.a. ArcGIS Pro,b. ArcGIS Online / Portalc. ArcGIS Field Mapsd. Survey123e. Automation tools like Arcpy, Model Builder, and FME

Required Question

Salary : $90,314 - $109,886

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