The Senior GIS Technician is responsible for supporting GIS-based systems architecture (in-house server and cloud-based) projects and services under the Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) team in IT. The Technician position joins SDI in designing, launching, and maintaining geospatial applications, spatial data management platforms and web map services. SDI is the central GIS support unit for the organization, supporting a large network of GIS practitioners that are leveraging a diverse portfolio of geospatial applications for conservation and preserve management, monitoring solutions, and emerging geospatial technologies across a wide array of scales and geographies.
TNC has a robust and active GIS community with over 1,300 staff who use GIS full or part-time, including scientists, analysts, cartographers and data managers. As a geospatial technology specialist, the Technician will support this community by enhancing the reliability, availability, and performance of GIS software, products, and services. Essential Functions include:
- Operational Support: Responsible for 40+ server and instance-based GIS systems deployed within TNC’s distributed global field network infrastructure and the cloud. Tasks include server installation/configuration, upgrading, support of operating system and GIS services, maintenance, monitoring and backup/recovery. This position works closely with Principal GIS Architect staff to define, develop and deploy spatial data technology in support of TNC’s shared conservation agenda across the organization. The Architect ensures that Dell hardware, operating systems, applications, services, backup, security and related practices are meeting SLAs and adheres to IT best practices and TNC values.
- Technical Implementation: This position will be responsible for cloud-based, geospatial system design and implementation of conservation-based solutions according to system requirements following TNC’s methodology and development of best practices. This includes familiarity with database schema, cloud infrastructure, and migrating on-premise servers to the cloud. The Technician will also be involved in specific GIS projects with field staff, implementing and supporting online database management, spatial analyses, and monitoring efforts.
- Help Desk Escalations: The Technician will provide Tier 2 support for spatial data systems, escalating to Principal GIS Architect as necessary, and acts as Tier 3 support for Global Network Operations staff. This support includes end user issues and troubleshooting. Essential systems administration will be conducted using similar procedures and techniques as used with existing field Windows servers, and will follow established technology SOPs.
- Conservation Program support: They will support various conservation programs across the Conservancy with cloud infrastructure services provided by Amazon Web Services. These services include but are not limited to: EC2, EBS, VPC, S3, CloudFront, IAM, FSx and Workspaces. The support is focused on application hosting and development in partnership with TNC and contracted web and software developers using JavaScript, CSS, HTML and the ArcGIS API for JavaScript. Spatial data is typically published to ArcGIS Enterprise and a data store.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Support TNC field monitoring software Collector for ArcGIS “End to End” (mobile device - ArcGIS Online-WAN/Connectivity-ArcGIS Enterprise)
- Knowledge of client-side GIS and map display technology including ArcGIS Desktop (including major extensions), ArcGIS Pro, and QGIS
- Knowledge of Esri GIS systems software, licensing, and current ArcGIS Server/Enterprise products including ArcGIS Server web tier with Image Server extension, Esri Web Services, ArcSDE database tier, and Esri License Manager
- Intermediate knowledge of T-SQL for database queries, procedures and troubleshooting
- Understanding or experience with Cloud computing specifically Amazon Web Services or equivalent
- Systems Administration of server hardware: RAID and PERC controllers, Intel and Broadcom NICs and teaming, network and direct attached storage and firmware updates
- Experience managing: OS users and groups, Windows file sharing and Samba, SNMP, SMTP, custom application deployment and digital certificates
- Intermediate level Unix, Windows PowerShell, MS-DOS shell scripting to automate routine administrative tasks
- Provide support, administration and documentation for multiple GIS software products and systems, most notably, ArcGIS Desktop, ArcGIS Server and ArcGIS Online
- Perform testing and manage test configurations for upgrades and changes
- Participate in incident response activities
- Elicit and translate business requirements from Conservation GIS customers into detailed functional requirements for IT or for vendors/consultants
- Conduct cross-functional program research
- Attend and conduct training classes to maintain knowledge base of current technology
- Willing to travel and work flexible hours
- 5 years of experience as a business or technical profession in Information Technology or a related field.
- Experience in defining and documenting complex systems requirements.
- Experience in communicating effectively with internal and external audiences.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience supporting Esri’s ArcGIS Desktop and Server/Enterprise including multi-user editing in an Enterprise Geodatabase (ArcSDE), publishing map/geoprocessing services and support of custom web mapping applications (JavaScript, Python)
- Junior level database administration skills (db backups, db cloning, user management/privileges, patching) of SQL Server required, PostGreSQL experience a plus
- Experience deploying, maintaining, administering: Windows Server 2008/2012, Internet Information Services (IIS), Windows Active Directory
- Experience deploying/maintaining: (Dell PowerEdge servers, Dell OpenManage software, iDRAC) or equivalent
- Knowledge and experience supporting Remote Desktop Services and Virtualization Windows Hyper-V
- Well versed in technology best practices, and an ability to adapt them to TNC’s organizational needs and culture
- Experience with SQL and in one of the following disciplines: web applications programming, geographical information or spatial information systems, data modeling, PL/SQL, SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, C# or UNIX
- Master’s degree preferred
- Experience with cloud services from multiple cloud vendors
- Experience in a global organization
- Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated
- Strong interest in natural sciences and conservation
The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, 401k or savings-plan matching for eligible employees, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond.