Geographic Information System Specialist

Summary

This position is located with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs in Crow Agency, Montana; Gallup, New Mexico; Lakewood, Colorado.

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Duties

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As Geographic Information System Specialist, GS-0301, your typical work assignments may include, but not limited to:

Responsible for applying full range of geospatial analytical techniques to identify, interpret, and resolve procedural Geographic Information System (GIS) issues and complete projects and assignments.

Digitize geographic information by translating raw land-based data into code.

Identify interrelationships within data and apply layers of geographic data to produce spatial analysis to derive maps.

Reconcile coding errors and resolve technical problems on existing geospatial data.

Provide technical support and troubleshooting for users for problems related to GIS hardware and application software.

Responsible for development of project objectives, evaluation of existing data sources, creation/modification of GIS themes, databases, analysis, preparation of final output of products into planning documents and processes.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated
• A background security investigation will be required for all new hires. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication.
• If you are a male applicant born after 12/31/1959 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency.

Qualifications

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: (OPM Operating Manual, Qualification Standards)

GS-07:

To qualify at the GS-07 level, you must have: A). At least 1 year of specialized experience that equips you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position. This experience is related to the work of the position and equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service. This experience includes work designing/managing geospatial databases including project quality control and/or research; collaborating with others in developing and/or implementing geospatial applications or data; presenting the organization's technical and/or policy information in conference/meetings; assisting with planning and/or management activities. OR

B). Superior Academic Achievement which included one of the following: 1) Class standing-applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class, based on completed courses; or (2) Grade-Point Average-applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (3) Election to membership in a National Scholastic Honor Society-membership in a freshman honor society cannot be used to meet the requirements of this provision. In order to be creditable under this provision, superior academic achievement must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled. (You must submit a copy of your transcripts). OR

C). Successfully completed one full year of appropriate graduate level education (18 semester hours, 27 quarter hours or equivalent) in a field of study directly related to the work of this position. (You must submit a copy of your transcripts). OR

D). A combination of graduate level education (as defined in C above) and specialized experience (as defined in A above) when combined together meets 100% of the total requirements for the position. To compute, divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of graduate education by 18. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100% to qualify.

GS-09:

To qualify at the GS-09 level, you must have: A.) At least 1 year of full-time specialized experience or the equivalent, comparable to at least the GS-07 in the Federal Service (obtained in either the public or private sector). This experience includes implementing analytical techniques to resolve procedural and factual geospatial and GIS issues; apply layers of geographic data to produce spatial analysis and derivative maps to support land base integrity; conduct research to locate and obtain information from existing and historical records or databases; knowledge of appropriate database design principles in order to identify interrelationships within GIS data; ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing. OR

B). A masters or equivalent graduate degree; OR 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR LL.B or J.D., if related to this position. (You must submit a copy of your transcripts). OR

C). A combination of specialized experience as described in A and more than one year of graduate education as described in B when combined meets 100% of the total requirements for the position. To compute, divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of graduate education beyond one year by 18. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100% to qualify. (You must submit a copy of your transcripts).

GS-11:

To qualify at the GS-11 level, you must have: A.) At least 1 year of full-time specialized experience or the equivalent, comparable to at least the GS-09 in the Federal Service (obtained in either the public or private sector). This experience includes knowledge and understanding of the principles of cartography, geography, geospatial information systems & technology and the theoretical foundations and methods of geospatial technology and remote sensing sufficient to serve the future geospatial requirements relative to the technology and services to be made available. OR

B). Completed 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education or a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a field of study that is directly related to the duties of this position. Note: Applicants who select this response must provide transcripts as verification of their education. OR

C). A combination of specialized experience as described in A and more than 2 years of graduate education as described in B when combined together meets 100% of the total requirements for the position. To compute, divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of graduate education beyond two years by 18. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100% to qualify. Note: Applicants who select this response must provide transcripts as verification of their education.

GS-12:

To qualify at the GS-12 level, you must have: A.) At least 1 year of specialized experience or the equivalent, comparable to at least the GS-11 in the Federal Service (obtained in either the public or private sector). This experience includes coordinating and providing specialized advice and guidance in cartography, geography, geospatial information systems and technology. This experience must demonstrate the following 1) researching, interpreting and applying geospatial theoretical and methodological practices; 2) identifying, obtaining and preparing documentation needed to plan, execute and record geospatial action; and 3) communicating policies and procedures both orally and in writing on geospatial transactions.

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Additional selections may be made from this announcement if identical vacancies occur in the same location within 90 days from the closing date.

Education

If you are qualifying based on your education, you MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: (1) official or unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list with all of your courses, grades, semester, year, and credit for the course. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.

If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.

One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.

If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education which shows the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit:

Additional information

All new hires earn the beginning salary of their pay grade (Step 1). See 2026 Salary Tables and select the pay chart for Crow Agency, Montana; Gallup, New Mexico; Lakewood, Colorado. If no specific chart is listed for this geographic location, see the "rest of U.S." chart.

The full performance level of this position is GS-12. Promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. A career ladder promotion is at the discretion of management, and in no way guaranteed.

The probationary or trial period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your [probationary period -OR- trial period] your employ

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.