GIS Specialist 20 (VA)

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: GIS Specialist / Distribution Field Technician

Job Description

This position combines GIS Technician and Distribution Field Technician responsibilities to support electric distribution projects and joint use/fiber make-ready programs. You will work in a fast-paced, diverse environment with flexible work arrangements and strong support for career development, including technical and non-technical training, leadership opportunities, and mentorship. The role offers extensive hands-on experience with electric distribution systems, GIS technology, joint use engineering, and utility field operations, providing a strong foundation for a long-term career in the power delivery industry.

Responsibilities

• Use GIS and CAD software to support electric distribution projects and maintain data for higher complexity and priority work.
• Reference as-built drawings, work management logs, and other documentation to update GIS data reflecting electric distribution construction completed in the field.
• Identify data inconsistencies in GIS and related systems and coordinate with appropriate resources to ensure accurate data updates.
• Obtain, process, and manipulate GIS data at state and municipality levels to support project needs.
• Participate in and collaborate during meetings with teammates, clients, and other stakeholders to review project requirements and deliverables.
• Work effectively in an Agile team environment, actively collaborating and incorporating feedback to produce high-quality work that meets client standards.
• Complete engineering design tasks and prepare accurate, timely deliverables for electric distribution and joint use projects.
• Support storm response and emergency mobilization efforts as needed based on client and business requirements.
• Perform extensive field data collection associated with telecommunications attachments to electric distribution infrastructure, focusing on joint use and fiber make-ready programs.
• Work primarily in the field as part of a two-person team, using iPads, GIS/fielding applications, measuring equipment, proprietary software, and specialized tools to document utility poles and associated electric and telecommunications facilities.
• Collect detailed field information including measurements, photographs, equipment details, attachment data, and other information needed to support joint use engineering and make-ready evaluations.
• Ensure all field data is complete, accurate, and clearly documented, and identify unusual conditions or potential make-ready concerns for further engineering review.
• Coordinate engineering and design determinations with designated engineering and design personnel, providing clear and thorough field information to support decisions.
• Travel regularly throughout service territories in Virginia and North Carolina to complete field assignments, including weekly overnight travel when required.
• Operate and responsibly maintain rental vehicles during field assignments, including potential overnight or extended use, while adhering to safety and storage requirements.
• Work safely and effectively in outdoor environments, including varying weather conditions, vegetation, terrain, and roadside locations, while carrying and using required field equipment.
• Learn and use mobile field-data collection applications and other new technologies to improve data collection efficiency and accuracy.

Essential Skills

• Bachelors degree and 02 years of relevant experience; internships count toward experience.
• Ability and willingness to perform both field and office work as part of the role.
• Ability to work comfortably and safely in outdoor environments, including extensive walking and carrying field equipment; field data collection is a core responsibility.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for interacting with teammates, clients, and stakeholders and for documenting field and design work.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Visio, Outlook, and related tools.
• Ability to work in an Agile team environment with strong collaboration, openness to feedback, and focus on producing high-quality deliverables.
• Comfort with regular travel, including weekly overnight travel within Virginia and North Carolina, and operating rental vehicles as part of field assignments.
• Capacity to perform significant outdoor work in varying weather, vegetation, terrain, and roadside environments.
• Willingness to support storm response or emergency mobilization efforts when required.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with GIS software such as Smallworld, Esri ArcMap, ArcGIS, ArcGIS Online, ArcWeb services, ArcGIS Server, or QGIS is preferred.
• Experience with CAD software such as Bentley MicroStation or Autodesk tools including AutoCAD and Civil 3D is preferred.
• Knowledge of utility client standards and electric distribution practices is preferred.
• Experience in GIS, utility field work, telecommunications, surveying, construction, inspection, or similar outdoor technical work is beneficial but not required.
• Comfort with learning and using mobile field-data collection applications and new digital tools.
• Interest in developing a career in power delivery, joint use engineering, and electric distribution systems.
• Motivation to take advantage of technical and non-technical training, leadership opportunities, and mentorship to grow professionally.

Work Environment

The role offers a fast-paced, diverse work environment with flexible work hours and work arrangements, supported by leaders who encourage career development and growth. Approximately 90% of the position is field-based, with technicians typically working in two-person teams. You will spend most of your time outdoors, walking and working in varying weather conditions, vegetation, terrain, and roadside environments while carrying and using field equipment such as iPads, GIS/fielding applications, measuring tools, proprietary software, and other specialized instruments. Regular travel is an essential part of the job, with work assignments across service territories in Virginia and North Carolina and weekly overnight travel, generally Monday through Thursday, depending on project location. Rental vehicles are used for field work and may need to be maintained overnight or for extended periods. Office-based work will involve using GIS and CAD software, Microsoft Office applications, and participating in Agile team collaboration, meetings, and training. The environment emphasizes safety, collaboration, learning, and professional growth, with opportunities to move from temporary to permanent employment based on performance.

Please book time with me on the link below to chat further about the position if you meet the qualifications!

-Anna Johnson

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Richmond, VA.

The pay range for this position is $23.50 - $23.50/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Richmond,VA.

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 9, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email View email address on ziprecruiter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.