GIS Specialist

City of Aurora, Colorado It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we’re growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of: Integrity, Respect, Professionalism, and Customer Service, and we welcome all who share these values to apply. Job Location Aurora, Colorado 80016-2946 Why Work for Aurora? Make a difference in the lives of real people every day Diverse community Competitive total compensation package Well‑Funded General Employees Retirement Plan Light rail station minutes away On-site fitness center and overall employee well‑being programs Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement Access to innovation workspaces Primary Duties & Responsibilities Salary to be commensurate with experience. The hiring range for this position is $29.85 – $37.32 per hour. This is a term‑limited position with an anticipated duration of 18 months. It is classified as VHBE (Variable Hour Benefit Eligible), where the selected candidate can work up to 40 hours per week. The selected candidate will be eligible to elect Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits, accrue paid time off, and receive 11 paid holidays. The deadline to submit applications is June 29th, 2026. The City of Aurora will conduct ongoing screenings of applications on a first‑come, first‑serve basis; as soon as we determine to have a qualified pool of applicants, this position may close quickly and without notice. Overview of Position / Department The GIS Specialist position is responsible for creating and maintaining web applications, reports, and other solutions to support Aurora Water staff. The position is also responsible for providing front‑line support to users, including workers utilizing mobile GIS applications in the field. Creating new assets and tracking their associated attributes in an Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) system using engineering drawings, intake forms, and other supplemental data. Overseeing and conducting research to find and verify GIS data from source documents to maintain water department GIS and asset data. Supporting asset management activities. Providing training and technical assistance in the use of GIS data, software, and mobile applications to department staff. Exhibiting excellent customer service skills with demonstrated professional demeanor. Preparing maps for various department divisions using proper cartographic principles. Utilizing ESRI ArcGIS Online/Portal applications such as web maps, web apps, dashboards, story maps and other applications to meet the needs of various department divisions. Processing and sharing data for department GIS applications (system models, asset management, master planning etc.) and fulfilling external data requests as needed. Identifying and solving technical problems independently. Devising new approaches and alternative solutions to existing workflows. The ability to brainstorm with others, thrive in a collaborative and productive team environment, multi‑task and quickly adapt to change. Performing GIS analysis to support decision making. Assisting with field data collection as needed. Keeping current on the latest GIS trends in technology and procedures and making recommendations for implementation in Aurora. Writing user‑friendly content that meets the needs of the target audience including technical standard operating procedures for the team and non‑technical procedures for internal customers. Performing additional related duties as assigned. Minimum Qualifications & Working Conditions Minimum Qualifications Education: High school diploma or GED required. GIS classes from an accredited university, leading to a GIS certification, required. Experience: At least 1 year of professional level GIS experience with ESRI products. Licenses and Certifications Required: Colorado driver's license with a good driving history. Preferred Qualifications Associate’s Degree in GIS, cartography, drafting or related field preferred. GIS Certification from an accredited university. Knowledge Working knowledge of ESRI ArcGIS software, cartographic design, public utilities, and experience reading/interpreting Engineering design drawings. Knowledge of related software (AutoCAD, Bluebeam, NEXGEN, FME, Aquanuity, and SQL) considered a plus. Knowledge of the utility industry and ability to interpret engineering drawings preferred. Skills Demonstrable competence with: ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, Field Maps, Survey 123, Microsoft Suite, and GPS technologies. Experience with programming, network systems, web services, and EAM software. Abilities Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and citizens, communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. Analyze and compile technical information and reports; make presentations. Strong interpersonal, customer service, analytical, and project management skills. Working Conditions Essential Personnel When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the City, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel. Physical Demands Sedentary physical work that involves moving no more than 10 pounds at a time with or without assistance. Occasional lifting, carrying, walking, and standing. Vision sufficient to read computer screens, printouts, and related documents. Dexterity to operate a computer system and other related equipment. Speech communication and hearing to maintain communication with employees and citizens. Endurance sufficient to sit and work at a computer for long periods of time. Work Environment Works in a clean, comfortable environment. The work environment will occasionally include field visits to Aurora Water facilities (treatment facilities, pump stations, tanks, reservoirs, etc.) and linear assets (water pipes, wastewater pipes, and stormwater pipes, valves, ponds, and manholes). Equipment Used Uses standard office equipment including personal computer. Uses common office software, advanced software, and on‑premise and cloud databases. This position may require the incumbent to use personal equipment (e.g., vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment. Additional Information The city of Aurora will implement furlough days (unpaid days off) for most employees in 2026. The scheduled furlough dates are January 16, April 10, July 2, and December 24. For Veterans preference: Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application. The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer. We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants. It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission. Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug‑free workplace. A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired. As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check. Applicants selected for safety‑sensitive positions are required to complete and pass a drug screening as a condition of employment. Safety sensitive positions include Civil Service positions within Police and Fire Departments and positions where their job responsibilities have direct and substantial responsibility that would impact the health and safety of others. Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies. #J-18808-Ljbffr City of Aurora