Position Announcement: Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Manager
Application Deadline: Sunday, April 27, 2008

Major Duties
The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Manager is responsible for managing large scale projects involving the collection, analysis, and dissemination of geospatial data for the Great Lakes – Saint Lawrence River system. Other major duties include the management of enterprise-level hardware and software systems to support storage and delivery of geospatial data and oversight of design and maintenance of databases and the development and compliance of accepted operating standards.

Specific Duties

• manages hardware and software of the enterprise GIS computing facilities including evaluation of needs, ordering, licensing, recommendations for system and data architecture, and implementation of data management and security procedures;
• oversees off-site server integrity and security, including management of contracts with Internet bandwidth providers and remote network server hosting;
• oversees development of integrated relational databases involving geospatial data including schema design, population and query functions;
• summarizes and conveys relevant information to regional GIS users;
• develops and implements quality assurance/quality control procedures including geospatial data management policies and guidelines, standards and metadata documentation;
• develops and provides training to both internal and external users on geospatial data management and other operational issues;
• implements GIS-related training and develops technical documentation as required;
• assists with the creation of GIS products and reports as needed;
• maintains current knowledge of enterprise GIS technologies and stays apprised of developments in the field through relevant training, literature review and attendance at conferences and symposia; and
• performs other duties as assigned.

Scope and Effect
The incumbent is responsible for geospatial data compilation, management and distribution across the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence River system including its water bodies and watersheds. Work performed and products completed will support an array of uses across the system and could benefit and enhance the work of resource managers and policy developers both inside and outside of the region.

Complexity
The GIS Manager is engaged with and tasked with solving highly complex problems involving state-of-the-art computer hardware, software (including operating systems, relational database and application software and web services), and product design and delivery. Product design including database operations must consider highly variable spatial and temporal detail and diversity of uses.

Coordination Responsibilities
The incumbent works closely with a network of binational partners across the Great Lakes region to develop interoperable geospatial capabilities. The incumbent works in close coordination with other Commission staff including project managers, program specialists IT system administrators, programmers and web developers. The incumbent frequently represents the Commission in interagency discussions, requiring a high level of decorum and professionalism.

Supervisory Review
The GIS Manager reports to the Data and Information Management Program Manager. The incumbent exercises initiative and judgment in executing assigned responsibilities, keeps supervisor informed of plans, progress and problems, and consults supervisor on matters regarding major system changes. Performance reviews are conducted on an annual basis initiated by the Program Manager and approved by the Executive Director.

Leadership Role
The GIS Manager provides oversight on daily workload of assigned staff including work conducted by program specialists, web designers and GIS developers. This authority does not include formal performance assessments and administrative support that is maintained by the Program Manager.

Educational and Experience Requirements
The Geographic Information Systems Manager must possess strong verbal, research, writing, administrative and technical skills. He/she must have a familiarity and general background in Great Lakes-St. Lawrence water resources policy and management issues and knowledge of the region. The incumbent must have committee management experience and the ability to plan and conduct meetings. Experience is required in database design, development and maintenance, ability to manage software and hardware needs of an enterprise GIS and ability to supervise staff involved in the collection, analysis and dissemination of geospatial data. Detailed technical requirements are presented in the sections below. The incumbent must hold a Bachelor's degree or higher in information management/ technology program, in the physical science field, and/or resource management, economics or related field and a minimum of 5 years related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
The GIS Manager needs to have:

• strong knowledge and experience of ArcGIS application software packages;
• practical knowledge in relational database design, creation, and maintenance;
• Skill in developing and managing ArcSDE, Oracle, MySQL, PostgreSQL and/or PostGIS database applications;
• skill in publishing geospatial data and digital documents via mapping and web services;
• ability to adapt or modify processes in response to changing circumstances;
• ability to interpret guidelines and analyze available information for the purpose of coordinating efforts, planning, and implementing projects;
• ability to translate business requirements into system requirements, and vice versa;
• ability to work independently in a team environment, motivating others by example; and
• ability to exercise independent judgment.

Work Environment / Physical Demands
The majority of work is performed in a general office setting with no unusual environmental factors. The incumbent needs to be able to work in a fastpaced, time-sensitive, sometimes stressful situation, requiring significant time management skills to complete assignments against deadlines. Travel via standard means (auto, train, plane) is usually required up to 20% of work time.

How to Apply for this Position
Applications must include a cover letter, resume, salary history and expected salary range. Please note that all of these items must be provided if applicants are to receive further consideration. Please no calls.

Application Deadline: Sunday, April 27, 2008
Email Application Materials to: gauthier@glc.org (Roger Gauthier, Director, Information Systems, Great Lakes Commission)

The Great Lakes Commission, chaired by Lt. Gov. John Cherry (Mich.), is an interstate compact agency established under state and U.S. federal law and dedicated to promoting a strong economy, healthy environment and high quality of life for the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region and its residents. The Commission consists of governors' appointees, state legislators, and agency officials from its eight member states. Associate membership for Ontario and Québec was established through the signing of a "Declaration of Partnership." The Commission maintains a formal Observer program involving U.S. and Canadian federal agencies, tribal authorities, binational agencies and other regional interests. The Commission offices are located in Ann Arbor, Michigan.