Project Level GIS Specialist

Role Description

SWCA Environmental Consultants seeks a Project Level Geospatial Scientist to support major transmission projects. This role involves providing highly technical support and project leadership for our Electric Transmission Business Line projects. Responsibilities include:

• Serving as the geospatial project lead and point of contact for large transmission projects and transmission clients.
• Collaborating with project managers and subject matter experts to support large multi-discipline transmission projects.
• Developing standards and workflows to improve efficiency and quality of work.
• Designing and managing complex spatial databases.
• Working with robust systems to track project updates, versioning, and field activities.
• Demonstrating advanced technical proficiency in geospatial science and tools.
• Gaining familiarity with client interfaces, expectations, and workflows.
• Acting as a technical liaison between clients, stakeholders, and project managers.
• Developing and maintaining ArcGIS Online (AGOL) maps, applications, and notebooks for electric transmission projects.
• Advising project managers on GIS strategy and communicating updates to multi-disciplinary teams.
• Leading large, complex GIS projects with minimal supervision.
• Visiting project sites and providing GIS support in the field.
• Attending in-person meetings with clients as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Geography, Biology, Environmental Science, or related field with a GIS emphasis (or GIS certificate).
• At least four (4) years in a GIS analyst role with increasing professional responsibility.
• Experience with electric transmission siting and/or supporting transmission projects.
• Experience with suitability modeling and raster-based scoring models.
• Experience working with complex datasets supporting transmission infrastructure.
• Proven ability to manage all GIS-related aspects of a project, from project startup to final deliverables.
• Proficiency with ArcGIS Pro 3.x and a strong understanding of cartography and computer mapping, including design principles and map creation procedures in ArcGIS.
• Experience in using GIS-based programming, including Python, and/or Arcade to develop tools to automate or improve efficiency.
• Experience with ArcGIS Online for managing and distributing spatial data.

Requirements

• At least seven (7) years in a GIS analyst role with increasing professional responsibility (preferred).
• GISP or similar professional GIS certification (preferred).
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary and multi-faceted projects (preferred).
• Experience in designing, developing, implementing, and administering GIS systems (preferred).
• Previous experience managing GIS tasks in environmental consulting, particularly in support of electric transmission siting, environmental permitting, and cultural resource projects (preferred).
• Experience developing analytical models related to natural or cultural resource processes (preferred).
• Understanding of agency internal processes and positive relationships with federal land management and regulatory agencies (preferred).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills (preferred).
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to changing project needs (preferred).

Benefits

• Competitive wages and benefits, including a 100% employee stock ownership plan (retirement).
• Support for team members in developing their careers.
• Career Landscape initiative for rewarding career paths.
• Professional conference attendance and internal/external professional development.
• Education reimbursement and bonuses for publications meeting certain criteria.
• Medical, dental, vision, employee assistance, wellness, life and disability plans.
• Participation in the SWCA 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan and Trust.